Jack Ü

Jack Ü

Jack Ü is an electronic music duo from Los Angeles, United States, active from 2013 to 2016. The group consists of Diplo and Skrillex, and is also described as a side project and collaborative act for the two producers. Their sound spans club, dance, EDM, electro, electronic and future bass, and the project is associated with a broad range of styles including trap, house and dubstep.

Formation and background

The project begins in 2013 and is introduced through Diplo, who reveals that the name refers to Skrillex and Diplo together. The two already work together on earlier projects, including Skrillex appearing on a Major Lazer recording for Diplo and an unfinished 2011 collaboration called “Amplifire” for Bangarang. Diplo also describes them as having a close musical relationship and says they often meet in Downtown Los Angeles or hotel rooms while touring to make music.

Releases and collaborations

Jack Ü’s first official single is “Take Ü There”, featuring Kiesza, and the duo later works with Missy Elliott on a remix of the track. Their collaboration with Korean pop artists CL and G-Dragon appears on “Dirty Vibe”, a track that combines trap and dubstep and features on Skrillex’s album Recess. Skrillex also says that Jack Ü mainly involves the pair DJing together and occasionally appearing on each other’s tracks.

Live performances

The duo’s debut performance takes place at the Mad Decent Block Party in San Diego in September 2013, part of a nationwide tour organised by Mad Decent. They also perform at Ultra Music Festival Miami in 2014, where they are given an hour-long slot and play material drawn from Recess as well as older hip-hop, including DJ Kool’s “Let Me Clear My Throat”. In December 2014 they headline a concert at Madison Square Garden, with the show broadcast live on Yahoo and supporting appearances including A$AP Ferg, Rudimental and Yellow Claw.