Watch deadmau5 Troll Frank Ocean During His Coachella Set

deadmau5 stirred the pot once again during his Coachella set by making a subtle troll of Frank Ocean’s Weekend 1 performance controversy.

Joel Zimmerman, colloquially known as deadmau5, has become a household name after his quarter-century in the industry. However, producing straight heaters isn’t the only thing keeping him relevant. From mocking fellow musicians on social media to making controversial comments about the music industry, deadmau5 has an equally prominent reputation for being a troll.

During a set under his techno alias TESTPILOT in the Yuma tent, deadmau5 threw shade at Frank Ocean, referencing the ice skating rink he scrapped from his mainstage performance last week.  As the track built up, Deadmau5 interjected with a cheeky comment quite clearly directed at Ocean. Right before the drop, the Canadian DJ/producer jeered as he said, “Sorry, I left my skating rink back in Canada.”

Despite the backlash, deadmau5 has continued to troll on social media over the years, often targeting other musicians. From Tiesto to Hardwell, it’s clear that even the biggest names in music aren’t safe from his heckling. However, some of his comments have landed him in hot water more than others.

In 2018, Zimmerman faced criticism for a seemingly transphobic Tweet expressing that “women don’t possess [sic] p******.” Soon after, he also referred to Slushii‘s music as “autistic s***,” likely unaware that he is actually on the spectrum. Deadmau5 promptly issued a heartfelt apology, admitting he needed to go “off the radar” to address mental health challenges.

Recently, Zimmerman attempted to distance himself from his reputation as a troll. He has spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and has been more active in charitable work. Whether or not this will change the public’s perception of him remains to be seen.

Despite his trolling behavior, deadmau5 has maintained a loyal fan base. Some fans argue that his trolling is simply a part of his personality and that he is merely being authentic. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, deadmau5’s reputation for trolling has had a significant impact on the electronic music scene.

Though many view deadmau5 as a polarizing figure, others deeply admire his frankness and willingness to speak his mind. Ultimately, there is no denying that he continues to leave a lasting mark on the industry. For information on deadmau5’s tour schedule, click here.

Ginger Ale

Having grown up just an earshot from Ultra Miami’s venue Bayfront Park, it was next to impossible for me not to fall in love with electronic music. My love for music was evidently strong enough for me to write my college essay on festival culture and continue attending Ultra for 10+ years now. I have always had a knack for writing and the power of words, which I continued cultivating through a Philosophy degree in college. Now, I am finishing up law school and hope to merge my passions by working in the music industry. I am an avid traveler and am certainly not afraid to hop on a plane for a music event. My next bucket list items to attend are Tomorrowland in Belgium and ADE in the Netherlands. Though the list could go on forever, some of my favorite artists include Franky Wah, Kevin de Vries, Eli Brown, and John Summit.

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