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Dubstep producer and DJ Rusko announces indefinite hiatus from music and touring: “It became clear I was having a breakdown mentally”
UK dubstep producer and DJ Rusko has announced an indefinite hiatus from music and touring, revealing that he reached a "breakdown point" after ignoring warning signs about his mental and physical health for too long. The announcement, shared in a social media statement over the weekend, marks a significant step back for one of bass music's leading figures, who apologised to fans for missing scheduled shows and said their support "has meant everything" to him.
In his statement, Rusko explained he had struggled to find the words to share his decision publicly and needed to "dip out of the game" to focus on healing and recovery, without guaranteeing a return. This is not his first health-related setback: in 2017 he paused his career after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, later announcing he was cancer-free. Since rising to prominence in 2007 and releasing albums 'O.M.G.' (2010) and 'Songs' (2012), his most recent release was March's 'Professor X' with Marco Strous. Fellow artists including Modestep, Ahee, Koven and Shming voiced support online, reflecting wider industry concern, with mental health charity Mind noting in 2023 that musicians are up to three times more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population.
In short
- Rusko is taking an indefinite break, citing a mental health breakdown
- He previously paused his career for stomach cancer treatment in 2017
- Fellow artists and fans offered support following his announcement
Explained simply
Rusko is a British dubstep and bass music producer and DJ who rose to prominence in this electronic music genre around 2007. Dubstep is characterised by heavy synthetic bass, sparse rhythms and innovative sound design, and has become popular worldwide since emerging in the early 2000s.
He has released several albums over his two-decade career and spent much of that time touring and performing internationally. In 2017, he took a break from music after being diagnosed with stomach cancer, from which he later recovered.
Musicians face particular pressures from intensive touring schedules and the demands of public visibility and performance. Research has shown that performers are significantly more likely to experience mental health difficulties than the general population, making conversations around wellbeing increasingly important in the music industry.
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