Dubstep producer and DJ Rusko has announced that he is taking an indefinite hiatus from music and touring, saying that it “became clear I was having a breakdown mentally”.
The UK dubstep giant made the announcement over the weekend, citing that he wanted to put a focus on his mental health and wellbeing after “ignoring” the warning signs for too long.
Sharing a statement on social media, the producer said: “When I first decided to call it a day on music and shows I really wasn’t sure how, or even if, I wanted to share it more publicly. The truth is, I simply couldn’t have found the words.”
“I had simply been ignoring my brain and body for far too long, I finally hit a serious breakdown point,” he added, saying that it “became clear I was having a breakdown mentally… and so needed to dip out of the game for the foreseeable future.”
He went on to apologise to fans for being unable to play his scheduled shows, and added that their “support over the years has meant everything to me”.
“For now, I have to follow my instincts for healing and recovery. While I can’t guarantee any kind of return, I hope in my heart one day this is not goodbye, but more ‘see ya later, alligator,” he concluded.
Rusko took a step back from music in 2017 too, when he revealed that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer and was undergoing treatment.
At the time, his peers rallied round with support, with Kill The Noise tweeting “ending positive vibes ur way my man much love”, Laidback Luke writing “very sorry and shocked to hear this. Get well man! Positive vibes your way,” and Netsky sharing: “So sorry to hear this.. Glad you got back home for the treatment. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts”.
He announced later that year that his treatment had been successful and that he was officially cancer-free.
The bass music pioneer came to prominence in 2007, and released his first solo album ‘O.M.G.’ in 2010. A second solo record followed in 2012 with ‘Songs’, and both of those releases reached the Top 20 in the Top Dance Albums charts upon their release.
His latest release was a collaboration track with Marco Strous, ‘Professor X’, which arrived in March.
Responding to the post announcing the indefinite hiatus, fans and fellow artists showed support for Rusko. “They say never meet your heroes – but you changed that for us! Once a legend always a legend,” wrote Modestep, while Ahee shared: “It was an honor to meet and play some shows with you… I know this career brings about pressures and challenges most do not understand, I wish you a healing journey that brings you joy and satisfaction, you deserve it.”
Koven wrote: “Well done for listening to your mind and your body. Sending you big love mate”, and Shming added: “So much love Rusko!! You are an absolute icon that helped shape the scene in so many ways. Take all the time you need to heal, health comes first.”
There has been a growing awareness for the mental health struggles that affect musicians, and in 2023 mental health charity Mind highlighted that research found that people working in the music industry are “more prone to mental health problems than the general population”.
The study concluded that “musicians [are] up to three times more likely to suffer from depression”, mostly due to financial pressures, isolation, lifestyle, hectic schedules and addiction.
That year, Tamsin Embleton – a psychotherapist and former tour booker, as well as the author of Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual – spoke to NME about the need for awareness and support across the music industry.
Speaking about how being on the road in itself can lead to people battling with anxiety, depression and burnout, the author told us: “To be on tour is really intense, it’s a bit of a pressure cooker. Underneath the surface, what you’re already struggling with is going to intensify. You’ve got no personal space, and it hits you biologically, psychologically and socially.”
Citing a chapter in her book by Peter Robinson from Pop Justice – also a therapist and a coach on dealing with the media – Embleton advised artists to have “boundaries in place in order to feel separate from the online self and the real self”.
To try and provide more support for artists, there was a 24-hour mental health support service launched last year, set up by the Music Industry Therapy Collective (MITC).
It offers round-the-clock, expert-led coaching sessions intended to help to tackle depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia and burnout among individuals working in the high-intensity sphere of the live music business. The service will also offer help for addiction recovery, domestic conflict, loneliness and other physical and mental health issues.
Sessions can be booked from anywhere in the world at any time of day – find out how here.
