“We wish him the best in his future endeavors”
Earlier this month, a report surfaced that Sid Wilson had been fired from Slipknot. The new sent shockwaves through the music world, as Wilson, aka #0, has been with the band for nearly 30 decades. As first reported by TMZ, a source close to the band told the outlet that the band has permanently moved on from Wilson, who was a utility knife for the metal juggernauts. He performed on turntables, keyboards, played percussion, and sang backing vocals for the metal giants since their eponymous 1999 debut.
Now, the firing has been confirmed by Slipknot.
“Effective immediately, Slipknot will no longer be associated with Sid Wilson,” the band said in a statement. “We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Back in 2019, Slipknot dismissed longtime percussionist Chris Fehn because of a legal dispute over financial compensation. In 2023, Slipknot parted ways with keyboardist Craig Jones – seemingly amicably. Jones had been with the band since 1996. Later that same year, Slipknot dismissed drummer Jay Weinberg. Weinberg had replaced founding drummer Joey Jordison, who left the band in 2013 and died in 2021. Founding bassist Paul Gray passed away in 2010.
Sid Wilson met Kelly Osbourne, daughter of late heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, back in 1999 at Ozzfest. The pair publicly declared a romantic relationship in early 2022, shortly after Wilson turned 45. Later that year, they welcomed their first child together. The couple got engaged last July backstage at Back to the Beginning – Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert with Black Sabbath. In March of 2026, the couple reportedly ended their engagement.
Born Sidney George Wilson on January 20, 1977, in Des Moines, Iowa, Sid developed a fascination with music, hip-hop culture, and turntablism at an early age. Before joining Slipknot, Wilson immersed himself in the underground DJ scene, mastering scratching, sampling, and live performance techniques while drawing inspiration from artists such as DJ Qbert and Mix Master Mike. His love of extreme music also led him toward the burgeoning Iowa metal scene, where he eventually crossed paths with the musicians who would become Slipknot. Wilson joined the band in 1998 after an audition that reportedly impressed the members with his intensity and fearless stage presence. From the beginning, his chaotic performances—often climbing stage structures, diving into the crowd, or launching himself across the stage—became a defining part of Slipknot’s live shows. Along with his signature gas masks and evolving costumes, Wilson quickly established himself as one of the group’s most visually striking performers.
Wilson made his recorded debut with Slipknot’s self-titled 1999 album, helping redefine the role of a DJ in heavy music by integrating scratching, samples, eerie soundscapes, and electronic textures into the band’s brutally aggressive sound. His work became an essential ingredient on landmark albums including Iowa (2001), Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)(2004), All Hope Is Gone (2008), .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), We Are Not Your Kind (2019), The End, So Far (2022), and Look Outside Your Window (2025). Rather than simply providing background effects, Wilson’s contributions often heightened the tension and atmosphere of Slipknot’s music, adding layers of noise, ambience, and rhythm that complemented the band’s nine-member assault.
Outside of Slipknot, Wilson has pursued an experimental solo career under the name DJ Starscream, blending jungle, drum and bass, electronica, hip-hop, and industrial influences. He has collaborated with numerous artists across genres, demonstrating a creative range far beyond heavy metal while earning respect in electronic music circles. Wilson has also remained deeply involved in visual art, stage production, and the conceptual side of Slipknot’s evolving identity, helping shape the band’s theatrical image over more than two decades.
Throughout his career, Wilson has been known for his remarkable resilience and dedication to performing. He has endured numerous injuries sustained during Slipknot’s famously explosive live shows yet has consistently returned to the stage. In 2024, he suffered serious burns following an accident involving a bonfire at his home, requiring hospitalization for injuries to his face and arms. Despite the severity of the accident, Wilson recovered quickly enough to fulfill Slipknot’s touring commitments, further cementing his reputation for perseverance.
As Slipknot celebrated its 25th anniversary and continued to headline festivals and arenas around the world, Wilson remained a central figure in the band’s success. His innovative approach to turntablism, fearless live performances, unmistakable visual style, and willingness to push musical boundaries have helped redefine what a DJ can contribute to a heavy metal band, ensuring his place as one of the most influential and unique performers in modern metal history.