Joel Thomas Zimmerman (born January 5, 1981), known professionally asDeadmau5 (pronounced "dead-mouse", and stylized inall lowercase), is a Canadianelectronic music producer andDJ. His musical style mostly includesprogressive house andelectro house genres, though he also produces and DJs other genres of electronic music, includingtechno under the aliasTestpilot. Zimmerman mostly appears and performs with a custom helmet called the "mau5head". He has received sevenGrammy Award nominations and won fourJuno Awards for his songs.
Zimmerman has collaborated with other artists, such asWolfgang Gartner,Rob Swire, andChris Lake. He collaborated withSteve Duda to form the duoBSOD and later joinedTommy Lee, DJ Aero, and Duda in the electronic bandWTF?. In 2007, he founded his own record label,Mau5trap. Zimmerman later formed electronic music supergroups such asKx5 withKaskade andRezzmau5 withRezz.
Zimmerman first gained recognition for his breakthrough albumRandom Album Title (2008), which wascertified gold in Canada and silver in the United Kingdom. The album included the single "Faxing Berlin", and the moderate chart hit "I Remember", a collaboration with Kaskade. He won a Juno Award for both this album and the song "All U Ever Want" withBilly Newton-Davis. His fourth studio album,For Lack of a Better Name (2009), was released to critical acclaim, featuring "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" with Rob Swire ofPendulum, "Hi Friend" featuring MC Flipside, and the critically acclaimed "Strobe". The album earned Zimmerman another Juno award. He released his fifth studio album,4×4=12 (2010), which was supported by singles "Some Chords", "Animal Rights" with Wolfgang Gartner, "Sofi Needs a Ladder" with the singerSofi, and "Raise Your Weapon" featuringGreta Svabo Bech.
Zimmerman's interest in technology began at a young age; he would disassemble and reassemble several household electronics, and later, he received his first computer. Inspired by his interest for video games, Zimmerman started makingchiptune music.[1] When Zimmerman was a teenager, he also started going toraves.[3]
The name "Deadmau5" originates from an incident with his computer; when his computer began to smell, Zimmerman dismantled it and found a dead mouse inside. Zimmerman then became known as the "dead mouse guy" among friends, and tried to change his name to "Deadmouse" in an online chat room. The name was onecharacter too long, so he shortened it to "Deadmau5". "Maus" is the German word for "mouse" and is pronounced the same as in English; the ending character 5 instead of an 's' is a form ofleetspeak.[7][8]
Career
1998–2006: Career beginnings
Zimmerman's music career began in the late 1990s and he was heavily influenced bychiptune music anddemoscene, producing his early work with the programImpulse Tracker.[9] He briefly worked with an online music licensing company and was a programmer.[10] In 1999, While learning how to use 3D modelling software, Zimmerman created the "mau5head".[11][12] The logo since has since appeared in many different colors and designs, and is included on the cover art of Zimmerman's albums.[13]
In 2000, Zimmerman and Derek Caesar, under the group nameDred and Karma, released the vinyl singles "I Don't Want No Other" and "Suck This". Zimmerman was hosting a radio show in Niagara Falls, and often stayed at a local record shop's recording studio making music.[14][15][16] Zimmerman began uploading songs to SectionZ and producing under the alias "Deadmau5" in 2002.[17] On July 26, 2005, Zimmerman released his debut studio album, titledGet Scraped.[18] Around the same time, Zimmerman teamed up with producerSteve Duda to form theelectro house duoBSOD. Their single "This Is The Hook" released in 2006 and topped theBeatport Top 100 chart. The duo would go on to release music spontaneously.[19][1]
In 2006, Zimmerman released his second studio album,Vexillology, on November 6, 2006, also through Play Records.[23] In 2007, Zimmerman founded his own record label,Mau5trap, which, along withUltra Records andMinistry of Sound first released the singleFaxing Berlin. Zimmerman was given the idea to wear a helmet based on the "mau5head" by one of his friends,Jay Gordon of the industrial metal bandOrgy.[24] He wore the helmet for the first time In 2008.[25][26]Project 56, a compilation album of earlier music, also officially released in 2008, and that same year, Zimmerman and Play Records parted ways, with Play Records retaining ownership of Zimmerman's earlier releases.[27][20] In 2008, Zimmerman joined the electronic bandWTF?, which includes the membersTommy Lee, DJ Aero, and againSteve Duda.[28] The band only has four tracks and rarely performs.[29][30]
In 2008, the albumRandom Album Title released. It includedNot Exactly, Faxing Berlin, and saw the first collaboration of Zimmerman and Chicago producerKaskade with "I Remember". "I Remember" became the most popular song on the album, and it reached number one onBillboard'sHot Dance Airplay chart on the October 17, 2009 issue.Random Album Title was certified gold in Canada, and it received aJuno Award[31][32][33] Also in 2008, Zimmerman's song with singerBilly Newton-Davis "All U Ever Want" won a Juno Award.[33]
Zimmerman again collaborated with Kaskade in 2008, and in the United States, the song "Move for Me" reached number one onBillboard magazine'sDance/Mix Show Airplay chart in its September 6, 2008, issue. In 2008, Zimmerman received his first Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording on "The Longest Road (Deadmau5 Remix)", a remix of a song by DJ and producerMorgan Page.[32]
2009–2011:For Lack of a Better Name and4×4=12
Deadmau5 performing with the Cube at the Austin Music Hall, 2011
On September 22, 2009,Ultra Records released Zimmerman's albumFor Lack of a Better Name.[34] "Ghosts 'n' Stuff", featuring vocals fromRob Swire ofPendulum, reached number one onBillboard's Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, becoming one of their most popular songs.[35] Despite being reluctant to release the track, "Strobe" was praised by critics and fans, and In 2017,Billboard Dance listed "Strobe" as Zimmerman's best song of all time on their list of the artist's 20 best tracks.[36][37][38]For Lack of A Better Name went on to win a Juno Award in 2010.[33]
In April 2010, Zimmerman unveiled his "Cube" stage at Coachella.[39]MTV named Zimmerman as the house DJ for the2010 MTV Video Music Awards and MTV PUSH artist of the week on August 16, 2010.[40] He expressed gratitude towardsLady Gaga andDavid Guetta for bringing dance into the pop music scene and paving the way for him to the mainstream.[41] At the awards, Zimmerman performed withJason Derulo andTravie McCoy.[42]
In February 2012, at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, Zimmerman attended the ceremony with three separate nominations.[32] At the ceremony, Zimmerman secretly changed his shirt to another with the fellow electronic actSkrillex's number on it, "trolling" him.[47][48]
In November 2013, Zimmerman deleted three years' worth of music from his SoundCloud account, replacing them with an EP of seven melancholy piano sonatas, simply called7, named after the Latin translations for theseven deadly sins: "Acedia", "Avaritia", "Gula", "Invidia", "Ira", "Luxuria", and "Superbia".[51] The same month, Zimmerman left longtime labelUltra Records and signed with record labelAstralwerks, a famed NYC-based imprint that houses artists such asSwedish House Mafia,David Guetta, andThe Chemical Brothers.[52]
In March 2014, Zimmerman officially launched his techno alias 'Testpilot', releasing "Sunspot (White Space Conflict)".[53][54][55] Later that year, Zimmerman announced via hisTwitter account that his seventh studio album was complete. "In other news... I finished my album today," the tweet read. "2 discs. 2 continuous mixes. 25 tracks. and something I'm proud of."[51] On June 17, 2014, the albumWhile(1<2) was released throughAstralwerks andVirgin EMI.While(1<2) was released with four singles; "Avaritia", "Seeya", with singerColleen D'Agostino from the bandthe Material, "Infra Turbo Pigcart Racer", and "Phantoms Can't Hang".[56][57]While(1<2) also received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the57th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2014, Zimmerman was sent acease and desist letter byFerrari regarding his highly customised458 Italia: the car, which he dubbed the "Purrari", possessed custom badges and aNyan Cat-themed wrap, and the car was later put up for sale onCraigslist.[58][59]
2015–2016: Hiatus andW:/2016Album/
Deadmau5 performing atFacebook F8 2015 in San Francisco, California
On July 23, 2015,Valve announced that Deadmau5 was creating a series of sound clips to be featured in their video gameDota 2.[60] The music pack was released alongside the announcement.[61] On August 8, 2015, Deadmau5 performed live atKeyArena inSeattle at the conclusion of theDota 2 competitionThe International 5 (TI5).[62][63] On October 7, 2015, Deadmau5 officially announced that he was leaving his then label Astralwerks and going entirely independent with his own label Mau5trap.[64]
On December 17, 2015, it appeared that Zimmerman was either taking a leave of absence after deleting several of his accounts.[65][66] On December 21, 2015, Zimmerman reopened his Twitter account and posted an apology to his Tumblr account explaining his disappearance from social media, saying that he was suffering fromdepression and would be returning to producing music after the new year.[67][68]
On October 7, 2016, "Beneath with Me", a collaboration withSkylar Grey andKaskade, was released.[69] On May 27, 2016, "Snowcone" was released.[70] Snowcone was later revealed to be the first single from his next album.[71] On November 4, 2016, Zimmerman announced his next studio album,W:/2016Album/, which was released on December 2, 2016 with another single "Let Go" featuringGrabbitz[72]
2017–2019:Where's the Drop?,Polar soundtrack, andMau5ville
On January 7, 2017, Zimmerman announced a compilation of his earlier work ranging from the years of 1998 to 2007 on Twitter, titledStuff I Used to Do. Zimmerman also stated that the compilation would release in February of that year.[73] On February 24, 2017, Zimmerman released a limited version ofStuff I Used to Do onWeTransfer. The edition, available until March 3, featured three tracks less than the full album. The album includes tracks fromGet Scraped and early compilations, in addition to an alternative mix of "Creep" fromWhile(1<2). The album was officially released onMau5trap a week later, on March 3, 2017.[74] On August 25, 2017, Zimmerman released a stand-alone single entitled "Legendary", featuring vocals from rapperShotty Horroh.[75]
In March 2018, Zimmerman announced a compilation album with Gregory Reveret comprising live orchestral performances of previously released music, titledWhere's the Drop?.[76][77][78] On March 30, 2018, the album was initially released exclusively on themusic streaming serviceTidal for a period of three months, and on June 29, 2018, the album was officially released to other platforms.[79][80][81] On July 3, 2018, Zimmerman announced an EP and compilation album titledMau5ville: Level 1, featuring "Monophobia" (his second collaboration withRob Swire), as well as tracks fromGetter andGTA.[82][83] It was released on July 13, 2018 through Mau5trap.[84][85] On September 18, 2018, Zimmerman announced that he was in the process of producing his first ever originalfilm score for theNetflix filmPolar directed byJonas Åkerlund.[86] In October 2018, the track listing of a follow-up EP,Mau5ville: Level 2, was leaked, showing featured collaborations withLights and Mr. Bill, with no release date confirmed at the time.[87][88] The EP was released officially on November 16, 2018, through Mau5trap.[89]
On January 25, 2019,Polar (2019) premiered onNetflix, with Zimmerman releasing the soundtrack album,Polar (Music from the Netflix Film), through Mau5trap.[90] On February 1, 2019, the third installment in theMau5ville series,Mau5ville: Level 3 was released through Mau5trap. The compilation EP featured collaborations with Shotty Horroh, Scene of Action as well as tracks from No Mana and C.O.Z.[91] In November 2019, Zimmerman released three new singles, entitled "Satrn", "Coasted" and "Fall", released on the 16th, 22nd and 29th, respectively.[92][93][94]
On May 20, 2020, Zimmerman released the single "Pomegranate", featuring production duothe Neptunes.[95] Later in November that year, he worked with the singerKiesza on the track "Bridged by a Lightwave".[96]
On March 29, 2021, Zimmerman released the single "Nextra" on his new "Hau5trap" label.[97] Later that year,Rezz and Zimmerman collaborated to release the single "Hypnocurrency". Deadmau5 and Rezz subsequently performed together, forming the electronic music supergroupRezzmau5.[98][99] He also released a new single with musicianLights called "When the Summer Dies" on July 16.[98] On October 29, 2021, Zimmerman andFoster The People released the single "Hyperlandia".[100]
In 2022, Zimmerman andKaskade announced a collaboration project namedKx5 (pronounced "kay-five"),[101] marking the fourth time the producers have worked together. The first single from the project, "Escape", was released on March 11.[102] On July 15, 2022, "My Heart Has Teeth", another collaboration withSkylar Grey, was featured on the soundtrack for the Netflix seriesResident Evil (2022).[103] In December, Kx5 headlined a performance in Los Angeles at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The concert broke records with a crowd of 50,000 and netted $3.7 million.[104] In January 2023, the release date for the duo's first album, eponymously titledKx5, was announced for March 17.[105] Zimmerman was also part of the lineup for the22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.[106] Later that year, Zimmerman and Rezz collaborated again and released "Infraliminal" on October 13, 2023, the track being a remix of "Superliminal" from Zimmerman's 2012 albumAlbum Title Goes Here.[99]
On March 22, 2024, Zimmerman was honored at the 2024Electronic Dance Music Awards with the Legend Award at theEden Roc Miami Beach Hotel in Miami.[107] On June 12, 2024, Zimmerman was inducted into theCanadian Music Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed upon many prominent Canadian musicians.[108] He marked the occasion with a 45-minute fireside chat about his career at the event, reflecting on his start and including light aspirations to perform at the newly openedLas Vegas Sphere.[108] On July 5, 2024, Zimmerman released "Quezacotl", the first single of an EP named "Some EP". Later, "Wet" was released under his Testpilot alias, the first single released under the pseudonym in a decade. "Some EP", was released on July 19, 2024.[109] On November 8, 2024, Zimmerman released another four track EP including the 2007 single 'Jaded'.[110] Later that month, Zimmerman was announced to be signed toCreative Artists Agency to be represented in all fields.[111] In December 2024, Zimmerman released "Familiars" as part of a collaboration withWorld of Tanks Blitz.[112]
2025–present:Error5 and upcoming 2026 album
In January 2025, Zimmerman released "Jupiter" alongside a music video, and collaborated with Irish producer Rebūke, releasing "Endless" with vocals by Ed Graves.[113][114]On March 4, 2025, Zimmerman's discography, including the Mau5trap catalog, was acquired byCreate Music Group.[115][116] AtCoachella 2025 in April, Zimmerman, performing as Testpilot with electronic music producer and singerZhu, was removed from the stage after slurring his speech and falling over. The next morning Zimmerman issued an apology to his Instagram account, commenting it would most likely be his last Coachella.[117][118] In August 2025, Zimmerman collaborated withRocket League,Fortnite, andMcLaren to introduce Deadmau5 themed cosmetics to both games. The "Error5" EP released coinciding with the collaboration.[119] On October 24, 2025, Zimmerman released the single "Ameonna", and also confirmed that his upcoming album will release in 2026.[120][121]
Zimmerman grew up listening toTears for Fears,Steely Dan,[126] and later citedNine Inch Nails,Aphex Twin, and the live performances ofKiss as influences.[24] He was also influenced bychiptune music anddemoscene, and in the late 1990s, he began producing his early work with the programImpulse Tracker, amusic sequencer released in 1995.[10] Zimmerman is highly influential to electronic dance music, as he continued to refine and evolve progressive house, and he was the first EDM act to appear on aRolling Stones magazine cover.[127][128] Zimmerman is also considered one of electronic music's most recognizable acts, paired with his musical style, and 'mau5head' helmet.[129] Zimmerman is also responsible for introducing American DJ and producerSkrillex to the mainstream, releasing his first commercially successful EP,Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, onMau5trap.[130] Outside of electronic dance music, Zimmerman produced an orchestral album with Gregory Reveret andTidal in 2018 calledWhere's the Drop?,[77] and composed the soundtrack for the action filmPolar (2019).[90]
Zimmerman was highly influential to the rise of audio-visual shows, following the performances ofDaft Punk with their pyramid stage during theirAlive 2007 tour.[131] In April 2010, Zimmerman unveiled his first "Cube" stage at Coachella.[39] The Cube was Zimmerman's stage setup primarily featured on tours. The Cube and its following iterations were large half-cube shaped LED screens accompanied with extensive surrounding lighting andpyrotechnics.[132][9] On March 25, 2017, Zimmerman began aconcert tour with the "Cube 2.1" stage set, a larger version of the Cube. The tour, entitledLots of Shows in a Row, toured North America and Europe to promote the release ofW:/2016Album/.[133] The final iteration of the Cube, called the "Cube V3", was able to rotate a full 360 degrees and tilt. The stage design included over 600 LED panels and weighed 260 tons, requiring a large team to transport and custom technology to operate.[134] Zimmerman retired the Cube stage design in 2025[120] TheJim Henson Creature Shop designs and fabricates Zimmerman's mau5heads.[128][135]
Video game appearances
Zimmerman is a playable avatar in the 2010 video gameDJ Hero 2.[136][137][138] The game featured several tracks by the artist, including a mix of "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" withLady Gaga's "Just Dance".[139] His music has been included in other video game titles, including a custom soundtrack forDota 2[60] and in the 2020 video gameFuser with "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" featured as a mixable song.[140] In the mobile appFamily Guy: The Quest for Stuff by TinyCo, Deadmau5 was available for purchase as a playable character during the "PeterPalooza".[141]Virtual versions of his helmet were also an available accessory as a topper and antenna inRocket League.[142]
On May 8, 2020, InFortnite, a multi-part virtual concert byDillon Francis,Steve Aoki, and Deadmau5 himself was held to celebrate the full release of the "Party Royale" game mode.[143] In November 2024, Zimmerman collaborated with the mobile gameWorld of Tanks Blitz, introducing Deadmau5-themed tanks, quests, and releasing the track "Familiars" through the game.[112] The next year, Zimmerman and Oberhasli Studios released the video game "Meowingtons Simulator". The game centers on controlling Zimmerman's late cat Meowingtons withragdoll physics synced to music.[144] In August 2025, Zimmerman again collaborated withRocket League andFortnite, introducing a Deadmau5 themedMcLaren sports car within both games, and his own outfit inFortnite Battle Royale. The "Error5" EP released coinciding with the collaborations.[145][119]
Personal life
Zimmerman unmasked in 2023
In September 2012, Zimmerman began dating Americantattoo artist and TV personalityKat Von D, but after breaking up in November 2012, they rekindled their relationship shortly afterwards.[146][147] On December 15, 2012, Zimmerman proposed to Von D viaTwitter, and they announced that they would marry in August 2013 with an aquatic-themed wedding, and Zimmerman moved toLos Angeles to live with Von D.[148][149][150] In June 2013, Von D announced that they had ended their engagement.[151] On August 12, 2017, Zimmerman married Kelly Fedoni.[152] By June 2021, he and Fedoni had separated and would divorce, but stated that their relationship had ended amicably.[153]
In 2014, Zimmerman purchased a $5 million home in theCampbellville area ofMilton, Ontario.[154][155] Zimmerman also owns a small farm in Ontario and takes care of several animals.[9] He currently has several cats adopted from Animal Adoptions of Flameborough, also in Ontario.[156]
Controversial remarks
In October 2018, Zimmerman posted comments on Twitter during an argument including the statements "I'll bet you suck a guy off for 40 grand, zero fucking questions asked" and "women don't possess penises". These comments were construed by readers as beinghomophobic andtransphobic.[157] Zimmerman apologized for his comments, saying that he "wasn't trying to make blatant transphobic statements", and had "just got into a heated argument with some dude online", noting that his comments had been taken "somewhere unintended".[158] A few days later, during a gaming stream, he referred to a track by fellow electronic artistSlushii as "AIDS fucking music" and "autistic shit". Slushii—who is on theautism spectrum—responded to these comments on Twitter, calling them "really disappointing".[159] Zimmerman later apologized for these comments, citing mental health issues that required "professional help", and stating that he would take time "off the radar" to "work on [himself]".[160]
In February 2019, while playingPlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds on a livestream onTwitch, Zimmerman called another player a "fucking cock-sucking stream sniperfag."[161] Twitch suspended Zimmerman from their platform forhate speech, after which he posted: "I know who I am, and I don't have to fucking sit here and cry and defend my fucking self with the obligatory 'I'm not that person, I am sorry' reflex," vowing to never work with the company again.[162] Zimmerman later apologized for his remarks in a Reddit post, and was subsequently reinstated.[163]
In January 2025, American DJ andelectronic dance music producer3lau performed atDonald Trump's secondInaugural Ball. In theInstagram post celebrating this, many artists heavily criticized the performance, with the most high profile comments being from Zimmerman himself, with him commenting that "[...] everyone in this business will remember that you stood behindNazis and convicted felons who would further marginalize the very people who gave you a platform."[164]
Legal disputes
Disney trademark dispute
Deadmau5 logo
Basic geometrical representation of Mickey Mouse's head and ears
In a 2012 interview withRolling Stone, Zimmerman acknowledged possible similarities between his mau5head logo and that ofMickey Mouse, joking that "someone at theDisney patent office fell asleep on that one."[165]
In March 2014, it was reported that The Walt Disney Company had filed a request with theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office to investigate Zimmerman's application to register the mau5head logo as atrademark, noting its resemblance to the figure of Mickey Mouse.[166][167] Disney officially filed its opposition in September 2014, arguing that the mark is likely to cause confusion because it is "nearly identical in appearance, connotation, and overall commercial impression" to Disney's trademarked iconography of Mickey Mouse. In response to the opposition, Zimmerman spoke out against Disney on Twitter, arguing that the company thinks of people as being "stupid" because "[they] might confuse an established electronic musician/performer with a cartoon mouse."[165]Dina LaPolt, Zimmerman's lawyer, also noted that the mau5head had also already been filed as a trademark in 30 other countries. Zimmerman believed that he had been targeted by Disney due to their attempts to "cash in" on the EDM market, specifically alluding toDconstructed—a recently released compilation album containing remixes of music from Disney properties by major electronic musicians such asArmin van Buuren,Avicii andKaskade.[168]
On September 4, 2014, Zimmerman revealed on Twitter that Disney had used "Ghosts 'n' Stuff" in a Mickey Mouse "re-micks" video (as part ofHave a Laugh!) on their website and YouTube channel without his or his labels' permission, and posted pictures showing atakedown notice that had been sent to Disney by his lawyers. The letter also contained a trademark infringement accusation, arguing that the use of Deadmau5's name in material regarding the video falsely implied his endorsement of it. Disney argued that it had properly licensed the song and that there was "no merit to his statement."[168][169]
In an October 2014 USPTO filing, Zimmerman argued that Disney has attempted to co-exist with him in goodwill. Zimmerman presented evidence that Disney had been in contact with him regarding potential collaborative projects, including an offer to participate in a "re-imagining" ofFantasia as a live concert tour for the film's 75th anniversary.[170] In June 2015, Zimmerman's attorney stated that he and Disney had "amicably resolved their dispute."[171] Zimmerman appeared in an episode of the Disney+ seriesThe Muppets Mayhem in 2023.[172]
Meowingtons trademark dispute
In 2015, Zimmerman attempted to register a trademark for the name of his pet cat, Professor Meowingtons, whom he adopted in 2010 and has incorporated into some of his own merchandising. However, the registration was rejected due to a pre-existing Meowingtons trademark held by an online retailer of the same name established in 2014,[173] which sells cat-themed accessories and clothing. After discovering the trademark, Zimmerman petitioned to cancel the existing Meowingtons trademark, citing his pre-existing uses.[174]
In March 2017, Zimmerman was sued by Emma Bassiri, the owner of the website, for trademark infringement and unfair competition; the suit argued that claims by Zimmerman that she had named the site specifically after the cat was false. Zimmerman himself toldThe Hollywood Reporter that "from the very beginning I was working to find a way to resolve this situation amicably", but that he had been forced to "litigate this woman out of existence".[173] On May 15, 2017, Deadmau5 filed a countersuit against Bassiri seeking forfeiture of Bassiri's website and domain name.[175] In March 2018,World Intellectual Property Review reported that Zimmerman and Bassiri had resolved their dispute.[176] Professor Meowingtons died in 2023, aged 16.[177][178]
^Jason Grishkoff (November 5, 2011)."Deadmau5 Aural Psynapse". Indie Shuffle.Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2012.
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