Labrinth has elaborated on his recent criticism of the music industry.
The musician – real name Timothy Lee McKenzie – hit out at the industry, his record label and hit TV show Euphoria last week, writing: “I’M DONE WITH THIS INDUSTRY,” in a now-deleted Instagram post.
“FUCK COLUMBIA. DOUBLE FUCK EUPHORIA. I’M OUT. THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT X,” he added.
Now, he’s added further context to his outburst, taking to Instagram yesterday (March 17) to share that he wants to “have meaningful interactions”.
“I don’t want to use anyone I don’t want to be used,” he added in the post’s caption. “I hope people stop acting like this is just how it’s done. It doesn’t have to be done that way. Fake ain’t a good business plan.”
It comes alongside an image of all caps text, where Labrinth writes: “WE HOVER AROUND BIG STARS HOPING TO BE IN THEIR PLACE ONE DAY LIKE SNAKES. WAITING TO EAT THEIR OWNERS.”
The singer continues by saying that hopeful artists who enter the music industry are turned into “wolves of Wall Street” and that creatives in the business will discard meaningful relationships with one another in pursuit of opportunity.
“WHO THE FUCK SAID THIS IS NORMAL OR OK TO TURN WHAT I CALL GODS NOISE (our music) INTO BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS?,” he added.
He closes his post, writing: “I DONT SUBSCRIBE.”
The post seems to have struck a chord with other artists, with former Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui commenting three speaking head emojis, while Dove Cameron added: “I genuinely think about this every day”, and Diplo commented: “your the realest creative I have ever met”.
It came after the London artist released his fourth and latest studio album, ‘Cosmic Opera: Act I’, in January via Columbia Records.
Labrinth made his scoring debut when he served as the lead composer for Euphoria season one on HBO.
His comments on social media today come a month before season three premieres on April 12. Check out the official trailer here.
Last summer, it was confirmed that Hans Zimmer would be co-composing the third season alongside Labrinth. In a statement at the time, Labrinth said: “Another chapter in the Euphoria universe! So great to join Hans, one of my heroes in film score, and bring some new magic to this new season. Love x.”
Zimmer commented: “Labrinth’s music has shaped the show’s identity and I’m looking forward to contributing to the ongoing story and helping shape this new season through music.”
Some of Labrinth’s original songs, including ‘Mount Everest’ and ‘All For Us’, have also been featured in the teen drama. The latter cut contains vocals from lead actor Zendaya (who plays Ruby ‘Rue’ Bennett).
He won an Emmy in the Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics category for ‘All For Us’. The score was nominated for Outstanding Music Composition For A Series, too.
Labrinth returned to score season two, with Zendaya contributing to the track ‘I’m Tired’ on the soundtrack.
According to Deadline, Labrinth attended the Balenciaga 2026 Winter show in Paris earlier this week. The event is said to have seen Euphoria creator Sam Levinson tease some footage from the series’ long-awaited new season.
At the end of last year, HBO shared the first look at the main cast, who will have time-jumped in season three. They’ll now appear as young adults, five years on from where the show left off.
Labrinth also worked with Billie Eilish on the song ‘Never Felt So Alone’ from the Euphoria soundtrack.
He has previously praised Levinson for giving him creative freedom. “The main approach with most of the music on the show is Sam is like, ‘Lab, just make what the fuck you’re making’,” Labrinth told Variety in 2022.
“Don’t let no one get in the way of what you’re making, just do what you do’.”
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