the most hated man in edm

Recap / Main Plot

The video asks a big question behind a meme-level controversy: “What would it take you to quit if you became one of the most successful DJs in the world?” It frames Skrillex (Sonny Moore) as the most hated man in EDM, then builds the story of why he’d be driven out—and why he returned—despite massive success and awards.

Highlights, Key Events, and Turning Points

1) Origin story: alternative kid → bullied target

• Skrillex is introduced as Sonny Moore, growing up in California, with early musical ambition and a distinctly non-mainstream vibe.
• He’s described as bullied/misunderstood for being an “emo kid” (alternative clothes, interests, look).
• At 16, his life is shaken by a huge personal revelation: he learned he was adopted.
• His family life also includes additional pressure—his parents’ beliefs are mentioned, and his mom dies when he’s 21, adding to the narrative of hardship (though the narrator insists this is not meant to ask for sympathy).

2) Punk roots → dubstep path → Noisia mentorship

• Before Skrillex, Sonny is described as lead singer of the post-hardcore punk band From First to Last.
• He finds underground electronic styles, including dubstep, and later transitions into releasing music under the Skrillex alias.
• In 2009, he’s said to be mentored by Noisia, cementing him deeper in electronic credibility.

3) The genre explainer: why dubstep feels “underground”

The video pauses for a quick lesson on dubstep:

• Around 140 BPM
• Syncopated drums
• Heavy bass/sub-bass
• A scene built from smaller/experimental creators

It emphasizes dubstep’s huge complexity and the idea that underground culture drives music evolution—then notes that mainstream audiences don’t universally love it.

4) “Bangarang” = mainstream breakthrough (and backlash fuel)

A major section is devoted to “Bangarang” (2012):

• The song is framed as a teenage-party anthem and a “pillar of teenage society.”
• It’s portrayed as massively successful (millions sold, chart domination, huge booking volume), and the narrator claims it helped push dubstep into popular culture.

The underlying tension:

• Bringing dubstep mainstream made some fans feel like Skrillex was crossing a line from innovation into betrayal/sell-out.

5) “Too commercial for the underground, too weird for the mainstream”

• Skrillex’s mainstream collaborations (like Diplo and Jack Ü) are used to explain why the criticism widened.
• Jack Ü and tracks associated with that era are implied to be broader than classic dubstep, confusing or alienating early supporters.

Result: the video argues he ended up trapped in an identity conflict—not accepted by either side—and then quit.

6) The comeback: 8-year hiatus → rebirth with new sound

The video describes his return after 8 years, including:

• A new look (“ditch the specs,” new haircut, more “buff”).
• A different musical direction across two albums:
  • Quest for Fire
  • Don’t Get Too Close (released within 48 hours—played for astonishment/drama)
• It highlights high-profile pop-up show appearances (Times Square / MSG) and industry connections.

7) Awards don’t stop the hate

• Sonny wins a Grammy (for “Rattata” is mentioned), yet the narrator emphasizes: he’s still hated.
• The explanation offered is that audiences still connect him to the old dubstep identity, even though his current work spans other styles:
  • rap, grime, house, etc.
• It includes collaborations with artists like PinkPantheress, Missy Elliott, and Flowdan.

The narrator argues he’s basically reinvented himself, functioning in a near-unique space—sometimes still having “echo” dubstep moments, but not as the main identity.

Jokes / Memorable Reactions / Tone

• The subtitles include repeated comedic outrage beats like: “This is what really happened to Skrillex.” plus exaggerated reactions around stress/news coverage.

• There’s also a meta, humorous aside where the narrator jokes about plugging another video about Fred again (“if you like this video…”), plus the overall premise is treated like a controversy documentary/meme.

• The tone frequently contrasts major success (charts, gigs, Grammy, huge return) with the headline claim: “most hated man in EDM.”

Conclusion / Main Message

The narrator lands on a philosophical point:

• People cling to their past favorites and want artists to stay the same.
• But art evolves—so maybe the hate is unnecessary.
• The video ends with a “both” stance: “Dubstep or diverse? Why can’t you just be both?”

Personalities Mentioned (End List)

• Skrillex / Sonny Moore
• Noisia (mentioned as mentors)
• From First to Last (band; Sonny’s earlier role)
• Diplo
• Jack Ü (collaboration project; includes Justin Bieber mentioned)
• Justin Bieber (mentioned in connection with Jack Ü)
• Four Tet
• Fred again
• PinkPantheress
• Missy Elliott
• Flowdan