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Steven Ellison (born October 7, 1983), better known as Flying Lotus or sometimes FlyLo, is an American record producer, DJ, filmmaker, and rapper. He has released seven critically acclaimed albums: 1983 (2006), Los Angeles (2008), Cosmogramma (2010), Until the Quiet Comes (2012), You're Dead! (2014), Flamagra (2019), and Yasuke (2021). Flying Lotus' other work includes creating the record label Brainfeeder, producing much of Adult Swim's bumper music, releasing rap mixtapes such as Duality (2012) under his Captain Murphy alter ego, curating and hosting the in-game radio station FlyLo FM in Grand Theft Auto V (2013), and directing the sci-fi horror film Ash (2025).

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Flying Lotus was born Steven Ellison[7] in Los Angeles on October 7, 1983.[8] He has Cameroonian ancestry, being descended from the Tikar people.[9] He is the grandson of singer-songwriter Marilyn McLeod, best known for writing hits such as the Diana Ross song "Love Hangover" and the Freda Payne song "I Get High (On Your Memory)".[10] McLeod's sister Alice Coltrane was a jazz pianist who was married to saxophonist John Coltrane,[11][12] and was named by The Fader as the biggest influence on Flying Lotus' music.[13] He attended the Los Angeles Film School and Academy of Art University.[14]

Musical career

[edit]

2006–2007: Adult Swim, 1983, and Warp Records

[edit]

In 2006, while at his mother's house, Ellison saw an advertisement on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block asking for song submissions.[8] He sent some in under the name Flying Lotus, a moniker inspired by lucid dreaming, and was accepted.[15] Around this time, he was interning at the pioneering hip hop label Stones Throw Records.[16] He released his debut studio album 1983 on October 3, 2006.[17]

In 2006, Ellison participated in that year's annual Red Bull Music Academy in Melbourne.[18] In 2007, he announced on CSU-Fullerton's Titan Radio that he signed with Warp Records.[19] He released his debut EP, the six-track Reset on October 1, 2007.[20] Soon afterwards, he became one of the label's cornerstone artists and released his second studio album, Los Angeles on June 10, 2008.[21]

2008–2009: Los Angeles and Brainfeeder

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In 2008, Flying Lotus released Los Angeles, a 17-track album dedicated to his home city.[22][23] That same year, he followed up Los Angeles with collaborative tracks with Samiyam and Gonjasufi, a limited white label run of remixes ("Camel", "Lightworks", R2-D2 sound effects, "Shadows of Tomorrow" and "Promiscuous") called Shhh!, and a series of LA inspired EPs. Each of the La EPs features remixes and unreleased tracks from his Los Angeles Album. The third in that series (titled L.A. EP 3 X 3), marked a new atmospheric style in his sound. The same year, Flying Lotus also remixed "Reckoner" from In Rainbows, an album by Radiohead.[24]

2010–2011: Cosmogramma and collaborations

[edit]

His third studio album, Cosmogramma, was released in the UK on May 3, 2010, and in the US on May 4, 2010.[25] In January 2011, Cosmogramma won in the Dance/Electronica Album category in the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards.[26] The multi-award-winning Cosmogramma was a hard-hitting afrofuturistic shrine to soul, hip-hop, jazz and IDM but, with more emphasis on a lyrical message than ever before. The album was accompanied by live instrumentation (Thundercat on bass, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on strings, Rebekah Raff on harp) and live vocalists (Thom Yorke, Laura Darlington) – all picked to help communicate the spiritual musical lineage of Ellison's family (Ravi Coltrane, himself, played tenor sax). Stephen Bruner, aka Thundercat, who is featured extensively on Cosmogramma, would later become a large part of future albums by Flying Lotus.

In 2010, Flying Lotus collaborated with the Ann Arbor Film Festival in the performance of a live scoring of the 1962 avant-garde film Heaven and Earth Magic.[27] In a post-viewing interview with the audience, Flying Lotus said that he was unsure whether or not a recording of the performance (or a recreation of it) would be publicly released, but he would be enthusiastic towards similar projects in the future. He was chosen by Battles to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival that it co-curated in December 2011 in Minehead, England, UK.[28]

In September 2010, Flying Lotus released "Pattern+Grid World", a 7 track EP featuring Thundercat on bass & art by Theo Ellsworth. The Track Camera Day was used in the Killer Mike song Swimming, which was released as part of the Adult Swim Singles Series.

In January 2011, Flying Lotus won the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards for his video "MmmHmm" in the Short-Form Video category.[29]

It was reported in 2011 that Flying Lotus would be collaborating with R&B singer Erykah Badu on new material for her next album,[30] and planned to remix one of Radiohead's songs from The King of Limbs.[31]

2012–2013: Until the Quiet Comes and Captain Murphy

[edit]
Flying Lotus performing at the 2012 Bonnaroo Music Festival

With an appreciation for hip hop, but no established work, artists like Odd Future (also aficionados of Adult Swim), A$AP Mob, Spaceghostpurrp and Shabazz Palaces inspired him to directly participate, and he began production work for Odd Future's Hodgy Beats' Untitled EP. This led to the moment in which he decided to produce more in the genre.[32] Throughout the summer of 2012, Captain Murphy began to make more appearances, dressed in Luchadore Ensemble.[citation needed]

In August 2012, Flying Lotus announced a multimedia project with filmmaker Miwa Matreyek, which is to be titled The Mapping of Countries Yet to Come.[33]

Flying Lotus produced rapper Mac Miller's song "S.D.S." for his album Watching Movies with the Sound Off.[34] He also created a song for the Cartoon Network series Adventure Time entitled "About that time//A glitch is a glitch".[35]

Behind closed doors, the work for his fourth album Until the Quiet Comes was almost done. A year prior, he had worked with Ann Arbor Festival to live score a surreal and avant-garde 60s animation Heaven and Earth Magic, and a fascination with dreamlike states had continued into this record. Until The Quiet Comes continued his creative relationship with Radiohead's Thom Yorke, as well as Jonny Greenwood, Niki Randa, Erykah Badu, Laura Darlington and, of course, Thundercat, and was cinematically captured in a short film by filmmaker Kahlil Joseph.

In late 2012, less than two months after the release of his last record, a website started circulating online: www.captainmurphy.xxx. Press speculated who the rapper was, with guessing being centered around the Odd Future Crew. The site hosted Duality, a 34-minute short film mixtape, that comprised both new material and tracks that had been leaking all summer.[36]

In April 2013, Flying Lotus announced that he has his own radio station called FlyLo FM in the video game Grand Theft Auto V, saying there would be "a ton of new songs and information, including rapping a new Captain Murphy song produced by Hudson Mohawke".[37] The radio station includes songs from Clams Casino, Aphex Twin, Hudson Mohawke, Tyler, the Creator, Dabrye, Thundercat, Machinedrum, Outkast, DJ Rashad and Shadow Child.[38] In November 2014, Flying Lotus collaborated with MF DOOM on the track "Masquatch" for the reissued copy of the video game.[39] The two collaborated again on the track "Lunch Break" for an updated version of Grand Theft Auto Online in 2020.[40]

On July 17, 2013, Flying Lotus announced on Twitter that he had been nominated for a VMA for the song "Tiny Tortures".[41]

2014–2015: You're Dead!

[edit]

On July 15, 2014, Flying Lotus posted on Instagram a photo of vinyl test pressings labeled "LP #5".[42] On July 22, he announced that his fifth studio album, You're Dead!, would be released in the UK on October 6, 2014, and in the US on October 7, 2014.[43] The album features guest appearances by Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Herbie Hancock.

On August 15, 2014, Flying Lotus released a new song called "Cosplay" with his alias Captain Murphy.[44]

On September 30, 2014, Flying Lotus scored the short film A Portrait of Noomi Rapace, starring actress Noomi Rapace and directed by Aitor Throup.[45]

During the summer of 2015, Flying Lotus appeared at many summer music festivals including the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the Governors Ball Music Festival and the Glastonbury Festival. His performances received critical acclaim.

He appeared alongside Thundercat on Lamar's album To Pimp a Butterfly.[46] In July 2015, Flying Lotus, made his national television debut on Why? with Hannibal Buress, as the show's in-studio disc jockey.[47]

Lotus received two Grammy Award nominations at the 58th ceremony: Best Dance Recording for his song "Never Catch Me" and Album of the Year for his credits as producer on Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly.[48]

2016–2018: Kuso

[edit]

On July 5, 2016, Ellison announced the start of Brainfeeder film division.[49] Shortly after, at the Sundance NEXT festival, he premiered a short film titled Royal. It was later revealed to be part of his feature film directorial debut, Kuso.[50] Kuso would star Hannibal Buress, Tim Heidecker and David Firth among others.[51] Kuso featured new music from Ellison himself under both the Flying Lotus and Captain Murphy names, Aphex Twin, Busdriver, and Thundercat, among others.[52][53] Kuso premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017. On June 6, 2017, Ellison announced that Kuso would be released via the horror video streaming service Shudder, on July 21, 2017.[54] Kuso was also confirmed a theatrical release in New York City and Los Angeles. Addressing the responsibility of the wide release of Kuso, on Twitter, Ellison praised Shudder, explaining he found it to be a suitable home for the film's release.[55]

On November 2, 2017, Ellison released a music video for a new song of his, "Post Requisite", and is "currently finishing his next studio album on Warp".[56] He also wrote the soundtrack for the 2017 short film Blade Runner Black Out 2022 and has contributed music to the 2019 anime series Carole & Tuesday.[57]

2019: Flamagra

[edit]

On April 17, 2019, Ellison announced his sixth album, Flamagra, released via Warp on May 24, 2019. The first single off the album, "Fire Is Coming" featuring David Lynch, was released on the same day.[58] On May 12, 2019, a second single, "More", was released alongside a music video directed by Shinichirō Watanabe.[59] Flamagra (Instrumentals),[60] an instrumental version of the original LP, was released in 2020.[61]

2021–present: Yasuke and Spirit Box

[edit]

In 2021, Flying Lotus released Yasuke,[62] his score for the Netflix series of the same name and his "full-length anime scoring debut" after a long history of contributing to other animation and film projects.[63]

On June 16, 2022, Ellison released two singles, "You Don't Know" and "The Room", both featuring Devin Tracy.[64]

On October 29, 2024, Ellison surprise released an EP, Spirit Box. The EP included two previously released singles—the Twin Peaks inspired "Garmonbozia", and "Ingo Swann".[65]

Directing

[edit]

V/H/S/99

[edit]

Ellison directed the "Ozzy's Dungeon" segment for V/H/S/99, also written by him and Zoe Cooper.[66]

Ash

[edit]

Ellison directed the science fiction film Ash in 2023. The film was released on March 21, 2025.[67] Flying Lotus also wrote the film's soundtrack, which was released March 19, 2025.[68]

Discography

[edit]
Main articles: Flying Lotus discography and Flying Lotus production discography

Studio albums

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Film and TV scores

  • Until the Quiet Comes – original score (2012)
  • The Mapping of Countries Yet to Come – original score (2012)
  • A Portrait of Noomi Rapace – original score (2014)
  • FUCKKKYOUUU (by Eddie Alcazar) – original score (2016)
  • Lovetrue – original music (2016)
  • Blade Runner Black Out 2022 – original score (2017)
  • Perfect (by Eddie Alcazar) – original score (2018)
  • Carole & Tuesday – additional music (2019)
  • Yasuke – original score, executive producer (2021)

Director

  • Royal – short film (2016) [69]
  • Kuso – also writer and original score (2017)
  • V/H/S/99 ("Ozzy's Dungeon" segment) – also writer (2022)
  • Ash – also writer (2025)

Actor

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2013 UK Music Video Awards Video of the Year Until the Quiet Comes Won [71]
Best Alternative Video – International Won
2016 Grammy Awards Album of the Year To Pimp a Butterfly Nominated [72]
Best Dance Recording Never Catch Me Nominated
2021 Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Himself Nominated
Best Progressive R&B Album It Is What It Is Won
2020 AIM Independent Music Awards Best Independent Track More Won [73]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Flying Lotus

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Flying Lotus, born Steven Ellison on October 7, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, is an American record producer, DJ, musician, rapper, and filmmaker renowned for his innovative fusion of electronic music, hip-hop beats, jazz improvisation, and experimental soundscapes. A pivotal figure in the Los Angeles beat scene, he founded the influential Brainfeeder record label in 2008, which has championed artists blending IDM, jazz, and bass music, and signed to Warp Records in 2006, releasing genre-defining albums such as Los Angeles (2008), Cosmogramma (2010), You're Dead! (2014), Flamagra (2019), and Spirit Box (2024). Ellison hails from a storied musical lineage; he is the great-nephew of jazz icons and , and the grandson of songwriter and producer Marilyn McLeod, co-writer of Diana Ross's hit "." Raised in the Winnetka neighborhood of , he began producing beats as a teenager using an MPC gifted by a cousin, initially aspiring to a career in before pivoting to music through contributions to rap projects and early releases like the debut album on Plug Research in 2006. His work extends beyond music into visual media, including directing the surreal horror-comedy Kuso (2017), which premiered at Sundance, the sci-fi horror (2025), and creating acclaimed music videos and animations that complement his abstract sonic aesthetic. Ellison has collaborated extensively with artists across genres, including , Thundercat, , , and , often integrating live instrumentation and cosmic themes that evoke traditions. Among his accolades, Ellison earned a Grammy Award in 2021 for Best Progressive R&B Album for Thundercat's It Is What It Is, produced under his imprint, along with nominations for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (2021) and Best Dance Recording for "Never Catch Me" with and (2016). His output continues to influence contemporary electronic and , bridging underground scenes with mainstream recognition while maintaining a commitment to boundary-pushing creativity.

Personal background

Early life

Steven Ellison, known professionally as Flying Lotus, was born on October 7, 1983, in , . He grew up in the suburban Winnetka neighborhood of the , where he experienced an alienated youth marked by social isolation and a turn toward solitary creative pursuits like video games and early experimentation with music. This environment, while removed from the urban core of , exposed him to the broader local hip-hop and electronic music scenes through recordings and media, fostering an initial fascination with beat-driven sounds. Ellison's interest in music production began during his teenage years, around age 14, when he started crafting beats on a workstation gifted by a cousin, drawing heavy inspiration from innovative producers like and . In high school, he delved deeper into digital tools, experimenting with software such as Fruity Loops to create rudimentary tracks that blended hip-hop rhythms with experimental elements. These early efforts reflected a self-taught approach, prioritizing intuitive creativity over formal training, and laid the groundwork for his distinctive style. Formal education proved challenging for Ellison, who pursued filmmaking after high school, earning a degree from the before transferring to the in in the early to study film. However, he dropped out after a short time, frustrated by the rigid, formulaic structure of the program, which clashed with his preference for unstructured artistic exploration. By age 20, around 2003, he had adopted the moniker Flying Lotus—drawn from a —and was producing demos that captured his evolving sound, influenced by the introspective and boundary-pushing ethos of his key inspirations.

Family and influences

Flying Lotus, born Steven Ellison, hails from a prominent musical lineage deeply rooted in jazz and soul. His great-aunt, , was a renowned spiritual jazz pianist and composer, while her husband, his great-uncle , was a legendary saxophonist whose improvisational innovations defined modern jazz. His grandmother, Marilyn McLeod, was a prolific songwriter and producer, co-writing hits like "Love Hangover" for , which immersed Ellison in soul and R&B from an early age. Ellison was raised listening to Alice and John Coltrane's records, which provided a foundational exposure to spiritual jazz's meditative and exploratory qualities. Family gatherings often featured live jazz performances, where relatives played instruments and shared musical traditions, instilling in him an appreciation for organic improvisation and rhythmic complexity. Among his extended family, cousin Ravi Coltrane, a saxophonist continuing the Coltrane legacy, further influenced Ellison's improvisational sensibilities through collaborations and shared sessions that emphasized fluid, boundary-pushing expression. Beyond family, Ellison drew from hip-hop producers like J Dilla and Madlib, whose beat-making techniques shaped his rhythmic precision and sample-based innovation, as well as DJ Shadow's atmospheric trip-hop constructions. Electronic artists such as Aphex Twin inspired his experimental sound design and glitchy textures during his college years exploring Warp Records. Visual media, including the anime film Akira, contributed thematic elements of futurism and dystopia to his aesthetic. These influences converged to cultivate Ellison's signature hybrid style, blending jazz's spiritual depth with hip-hop's groove and electronica's abstraction.

Musical career

Early releases and Warp Records (2006–2008)

In 2006, Flying Lotus gained initial prominence through a commission from Adult Swim, the late-night programming block on Cartoon Network, which licensed a selection of his instrumental beats for use as short interludes during commercial breaks. These beats, characterized by their lo-fi hip-hop aesthetics and abstract electronic textures, helped introduce his sound to a wider audience and marked his entry into professional music production. That same year, Flying Lotus released his debut album, , on October 3 via Plug Research. Named after his birth year, the album drew inspiration from his family's heritage while blending glitchy, IDM-influenced beats with hip-hop rhythms and experimental electronics, creating a psychedelic fusion that evoked the Los Angeles beat scene. Tracks like "São Paulo" and "Orbit " showcased his ability to layer stuttering percussion, warped samples, and atmospheric synths, earning recognition for pushing boundaries in instrumental hip-hop. Following the release of 1983, Flying Lotus signed with Warp Records in February 2007, after the label expressed interest in his burgeoning catalog of demos shared online. This deal positioned him alongside electronic innovators like Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada, aligning his work with Warp's legacy in intelligent dance music (IDM). His first release on the label was the Reset EP, issued on October 1, 2007, which expanded on the abstract experimentation of his debut through six tracks featuring guest vocalists like Andreya Triana on "Tea Leaf Dancers" and more intricate beat manipulations. The EP highlighted his evolving production techniques, incorporating live instrumentation and cosmic jazz elements to deepen the genre-blending approach. During this period, Flying Lotus built momentum through early live performances and DJ sets in the underground scene, including a notable radio mix for dublab on October 24, 2006, where he previewed his beat-driven style to local tastemakers. These appearances in intimate venues and on community platforms fostered buzz within the IDM and West Coast beat communities, solidifying his reputation as an innovative force before his full Warp-era breakthrough.

Brainfeeder founding and Los Angeles (2008–2009)

In 2008, Steven Ellison, known as Flying Lotus, founded the record label as a dedicated outlet for himself and fellow artists from the burgeoning beat scene. Initially emerging from the weekly club nights in , which served as a hub for experimental producers, provided a platform to release music that captured the eclectic, bass-heavy aesthetic of the local underground. The label quickly became synonymous with the scene's innovative spirit, fostering collaborations among talents like and others who performed at these influential gatherings. That same year, Flying Lotus released his sophomore album Los Angeles on Warp Records, a 17-track project dedicated to his hometown and marking a significant evolution in his sound. The record featured vocal contributions from singer Niki Randa on tracks such as "Getting There" and "Hunger," blending her ethereal style with Ellison's production to create a denser fusion of jazz improvisation, hip-hop rhythms, and psychedelic electronics. This approach built on his earlier Warp releases, intensifying the atmospheric and textural layers that defined his growing profile. Brainfeeder's inaugural compilation, released in 2008, highlighted emerging artists from the LA beat scene, including early works from producers like and Daedelus, underscoring the label's role in nurturing new voices beyond Ellison's own output. Concurrently, Flying Lotus began expanding his live performances with integrated visual elements, collaborating with animators to project custom visuals that synchronized with his beats, enhancing the immersive quality of shows at venues like . Los Angeles garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning the #2 spot on Pitchfork's list of the best albums of 2008 and solidifying Ellison's position as a central figure and tastemaker in the LA beat scene movement.

Cosmogramma and collaborations (2010–2011)

In 2010, Flying Lotus released his third studio album, Cosmogramma, on Warp Records on May 3. The album marked a significant evolution in his sound, incorporating orchestral elements and guest contributions that expanded its scope beyond electronic abstraction. String arrangements were handled by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, a frequent collaborator known for his work with OutKast, adding lush, live-recorded layers to tracks like "Zodiac Shit" and "Do the Astral Plane." Thom Yorke of Radiohead provided vocals on "...And the World Laughs With You," infusing the project with ethereal, introspective influences reminiscent of Radiohead's experimental edge. Other notable guests included Laura Darlington on vocals, Niki Randa, Ravi Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Rebekah Raff, and Thundercat on bass, creating a collaborative tapestry that blended jazz improvisation with electronic production. The studio process for emphasized live instrumentation amid chaotic overdubs, transforming Ellison's laptop-based beats into a dense, multi-layered composition. Recorded primarily in , sessions involved musicians layering strings, horns, and percussion in real-time, often resulting in unpredictable sonic collisions that Ellison described as a ""—a narrative-driven journey through cosmic and dreamlike realms. This approach prioritized organic interplay over polished sequencing, with Atwood-Ferguson's arrangements providing structural anchors for the album's frenetic energy. The result was a 17-track opus clocking in at around 45 minutes, where tracks like "Computerized" and "Margin" showcased the tension between digital glitches and acoustic warmth. Later that year, on September 20, Flying Lotus issued the Pattern+Grid World EP on Warp Records, serving as a sonic precursor that distilled Cosmogramma's innovations into more abstract, bite-sized explorations. Spanning seven tracks under 20 minutes, the EP introduced fragmented soundscapes with titles like "Time Vampires" and "Physics (For Everyone!)," emphasizing playful rhythms and minimalist electronics over the full album's orchestral density. It extended his experimental streak while hinting at future directions in beat manipulation and atmospheric drift. During this period, Flying Lotus engaged in several high-profile collaborations and remixes that broadened his influence. He produced tracks for Erykah Badu's New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the , contributing to its fusion of neo-soul and experimental beats, announced during live performances in early 2011. Additionally, he delivered remixes for artists including , , and , released as a collection of unreleased demos in June 2011, showcasing his ability to recontextualize diverse genres through glitchy, bass-heavy reinterpretations. These efforts, supported by Brainfeeder's growing network for artist discovery, solidified his role as a versatile bridging electronic, , and hip-hop scenes. To promote Cosmogramma, Flying Lotus embarked on a tour featuring a full live band, shifting from solo DJ sets to immersive multimedia experiences. The ensemble, often including Thundercat on bass, Atwood-Ferguson on violin, drummer Gerry Gibbs, and percussionist Andres Renteria, performed at venues like London's Infinity in August 2010, blending improvisational jazz with projected visuals created by collaborators like Strangeloop Studios. This format marked a pivotal transition to theatrical, band-driven shows that incorporated cosmic imagery and real-time video mapping, enhancing the album's "space opera" theme and captivating international audiences through 2011.

Until the Quiet Comes and Captain Murphy (2012–2013)

In 2012, Flying Lotus released his fourth studio album, Until the Quiet Comes, on Warp Records on October 1. The album featured vocal contributions from artists including Laura Darlington and Erykah Badu, marking a shift from the frenetic energy of prior works toward more subdued, dreamlike atmospheres characterized by intricate rhythms and ethereal soundscapes. This release built on the collaborative momentum from Cosmogramma, incorporating guest appearances that emphasized introspective, lyrical elements over purely instrumental experimentation. That same year, Flying Lotus introduced his rap alter ego, Captain Murphy, debuting anonymously with the track "Between Friends" featuring as part of Adult Swim's 2012 Singles Series on July 23. The persona culminated in the release of the Duality mixtape on November 15 via , a 35-minute project produced by collaborators including Flying Lotus himself, , Teebs, and , with guest verses from and others exploring dual themes of light and darkness through animated visuals and lo-fi aesthetics. Captain Murphy's identity as Flying Lotus was revealed in early 2013 through interviews, including a January 11 feature with XXL Magazine where Ellison discussed the project's origins in his desire to explore rapping without preconceptions tied to his producer reputation. The revelation followed speculation fueled by the Duality tracks and live performances, confirming the alias during a period of heightened interest in his hip-hop forays. The "Between Friends" single served as a stylistic bridge between Flying Lotus's electronic production and Captain Murphy's raw lyricism, blending hazy beats with introspective rhymes to merge the personas. In 2013, this experimentation continued with additional Captain Murphy output, including the single "Bookfiend" featuring (as Viktor Vaughn) on August 13, further integrating rap narratives into Ellison's sonic palette. During this period, Flying Lotus ramped up production for emerging hip-hop artists, notably contributing the beat for "The Last Slumber" on Chance the Rapper's debut mixtape 10 Day in April 2012 and "S.D.S." on Mac Miller's Watching Movies with the Sound Off in June 2013, emphasizing off-kilter grooves and atmospheric layers.

You're Dead! (2014–2015)

Flying Lotus released his fifth studio album, You're Dead!, on October 6, 2014, through Warp Records. The record conceptualizes the abruptness of death and the transition to the afterlife, drawing inspiration from the Tibetan Book of the Dead and personal reflections on mortality following losses in his life. Its structure emphasizes this theme through nineteen short tracks—many under two minutes—with seamless, rapid transitions that mimic the sudden end of life, blending electronic beats, hip-hop, and jazz into a continuous sonic journey. Guest vocalists including Kendrick Lamar on the track "Never Catch Me" and Snoop Dogg alongside Captain Murphy on "Dead Man's Tetris" add narrative layers to the exploration of impermanence. The album pays homage to jazz legends by incorporating live instrumentation and collaborations with key figures in the genre. Bassist Thundercat, Flying Lotus's cousin, provides prominent performances across multiple tracks, while jazz icon contributes keyboards to "Tesla," evoking the improvisational spirit of fusion pioneers like and . These elements fuse Flying Lotus's electronic production with hard-bop and influences, creating a tribute to forebears amid the album's psychedelic soundscape. In support of the release, Flying Lotus toured extensively in 2014–2015, performing You're Dead! with a live band that highlighted its components, including shows at major festivals and events like the Music Academy sessions in . These renditions often featured expanded ensembles to capture the album's orchestral ambitions, emphasizing its blend of live musicianship and visual projections. You're Dead! received critical acclaim and earned a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the in 2016. The single "Never Catch Me" featuring was additionally nominated for Best Dance Recording. Enhancing its multimedia appeal, the album incorporated visual elements through artwork by Japanese manga artist , whose surreal, grotesque illustrations for the cover and individual tracks depicted themes of death and rebirth, accompanying promotional videos and packaging.

Kuso (2016–2018)

Following the experimental legacy of You're Dead!, Flying Lotus composed the score for his directorial debut film Kuso, a surreal body horror project that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017. The music, released as a companion soundtrack on Warp Records later that year, features 17 tracks blending grotesque, psychedelic electronic sounds with hip-hop beats and ambient textures, designed to complement the film's post-earthquake nightmare narrative. The production process drew heavy inspiration from aesthetics, , and , with Ellison citing influences like British animator David Firth's series and elements to create a disorienting sonic landscape. Collaborators included vocalists such as (), who contributed ethereal, distorted vocals on tracks like "Post Requisite," alongside contributions from and for additional electronic and ambient layers. The score's boundary-pushing emphasized warped samples, pulsating rhythms, and nightmarish , marking Ellison's first major foray into film scoring. In support of the project, Flying Lotus embarked on a North American tour in late 2017 and into 2018, debuting a 3D live show with immersive visuals that synced holographic projections and psychedelic animations to tracks from the Kuso score and prior albums. The performances, featuring collaborators like Thundercat, took place at venues including and , emphasizing spatial audio and visual experimentation to replicate the film's hallucinatory vibe. Critics praised the score for its innovative fusion of electronic genres and visceral intensity, though the overall project received mixed reactions for its extreme content, with some hailing it as a bold extension of Ellison's . A limited edition vinyl pressing of select score tracks was issued with film-inspired packaging, including artwork echoing the movie's imagery, appealing to collectors of experimental soundtracks.

Flamagra (2019)

Flamagra, Flying Lotus's sixth studio album, was released on May 24, 2019, through Warp Records, marking his first full-length project in five years. The 27-track record embodies a conceptual "hero's journey" through themes of fire and rebirth, inspired by the eternal flames of Los Angeles and drawing from cosmic, afro-futurist motifs to explore cycles of creation and destruction. This fiery narrative unfolds across an hour-long runtime, blending electronic production with jazz-funk elements to evoke a sprawling, astral symphony. The album features contributions from over 30 artists, showcasing an expansive all-star lineup that includes vocalists like on "More," George Clinton on "The Climb," Solange on "Land of Honey," and on "Yellow Belly," alongside rappers such as and instrumentalists including Thundercat and Herbie Hancock. These collaborations infuse the project with diverse textures, from to , highlighting Flying Lotus's role as a curator of intergenerational talent. Production spanned five years and incorporated live band recordings with a core ensemble, including real-time improvisations, alongside orchestral elements like strings and horns to add sweeping, cinematic depth. Complementing the , Flying Lotus released multimedia extensions, including the "Fire Is Coming" directed by Kahlil Joseph, featuring as a prophetic elder in an animated, dystopian tied to the title track. The project also inspired immersive VR experiences during its 2019 tour, produced by Strangeloop Studios, where 3D visuals synchronized with live performances to enhance the 's otherworldly immersion. Flamagra debuted at number 45 on the and topped the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, selling the equivalent of 13,000 units in its first week. Critics lauded its ambition, with praising the "sweeping " as a limitless sketchbook of innovation, Variety calling it a "wild fusion" of genres, and highlighting its soundtrack-like cosmic voyage, though some noted its length could overwhelm.

Yasuke and recent releases (2020–present)

In 2021, Flying Lotus composed the original soundtrack for the Netflix anime series Yasuke, which chronicles the story of the first African samurai in feudal Japan. The score fuses his signature electronic production with traditional Japanese instruments such as shamisen and taiko drums, alongside African percussion, to create atmospheric samurai-themed soundscapes that blend glitchy synths, orchestral swells, and rhythmic intensity. The project features vocal contributions from collaborators including his cousin Thundercat on the opening theme "Black Gold," Niki Randa on tracks like "Hiding in the Shadows," and Denzel Curry on "Street Fighter Mas." The full Yasuke soundtrack album, comprising 27 tracks, was released on April 30, 2021, via Warp Records. The disrupted live activities, prompting Flying Lotus to pivot to virtual formats for his ongoing production and DJ residencies. In November 2020, he curated a global live stream extravaganza through , featuring audio-visual performances and DJ sets from label artists. Subsequent virtual appearances included a DJ set for Adult Swim's YOLO: Crystal Fantasy premiere in July 2020 and an improvisational session with and on the in June 2021, adapting his experimental style to online platforms. These efforts sustained his creative output amid restrictions, building on the collaborative ethos seen in prior works like . Post-pandemic, Flying Lotus continued releasing music and touring with renewed live energy. In October 2024, he surprise-dropped the Spirit Box EP on Warp Records, an eight-track project exploring bouncy electronic grooves, fusion-funk influences, and house-infused beats with guest spots from Dawn Richard on "Let Me Cook" and Sid Sriram on "The Lost Girls." The EP includes psychedelic instrumentals like the Twin Peaks-inspired "Garmonbozia" and marks a rare vocal appearance by Ellison himself. In 2025, Flying Lotus composed the score for his directorial film Ash, releasing the track "Oxygene" from the soundtrack on March 11. Live performances resumed robustly, including a set at the Shambhala Music Festival in July 2025 on the Grove Stage, where he incorporated fresh material such as "Garmonbozia" alongside classics like "Crust" from the Yasuke era. Additional 2025 shows, like at JAZZMI Festival in Milan on November 4 and Mira Festival in November, highlight his sustained DJ residencies and evolving stage presentations.

Brainfeeder

Founding and operations

Brainfeeder was founded in 2008 by producer Steven Ellison, known as , as an serving as a creative outlet for experimental sounds emerging from the Los Angeles beat scene. The label's origins are closely tied to club nights, which began in 2006 at The Airliner in Lincoln Heights and provided a platform for innovative beatmakers like Flying Lotus to showcase instrumental hip hop and electronic music in a communal setting. Initially launched as a low-key, digital-only operation, evolved into a more structured entity by , expanding to physical releases and securing a distribution deal with to handle worldwide manufacturing, promotion, and international reach while retaining U.S. distribution through partners like Alpha Pup Records. Based in , the label's operations center on curating and releasing music in genres such as , , and experimental electronic, reflecting Flying Lotus's personal aesthetic and fostering a collaborative environment for like-minded artists. Flying Lotus plays a central role in the label's day-to-day management as its primary A&R representative and curator, scouting talent, guiding artistic direction, and frequently performing alongside roster members at label showcases and events to build and visibility. During the label's growth phases in the , operations expanded amid rising demand, involving coordination of releases, tours, and artist development to sustain its underground ethos while navigating increased commercial pressures.

Notable artists and impact

Brainfeeder has nurtured a roster of innovative artists who have become central figures in experimental electronic, , and . Among the label's early signees, Thundercat (Stephen Bruner) debuted with his breakthrough album in 2011, blending virtuosic bass lines with cosmic and hip-hop elements under Flying Lotus's executive production. Teebs (Mtendere Mandowa) followed closely with his 2010 debut Ardour, a textured collection of ambient beats and field recordings that captured the introspective side of the beat scene. (Sam Baker) contributed to the label's foundational sound through his 2011 album Sam Baker's Album, featuring lo-fi hip-hop instrumentals rooted in the West Coast underground. Dorian Concept (Fabian Kummer), an Austrian producer known for his intricate electronic compositions, joined later with his 2018 Brainfeeder debut The Nature of Imitation, expanding the label's scope into glitchy, improvisational territory. Key releases have underscored Brainfeeder's role in documenting its artists' growth, such as Thundercat's The Golden Age of Apocalypse, which established a template for jazz-infused and influenced subsequent label output. The 2018 compilation Brainfeeder X, marking the label's 10th anniversary, compiled 36 tracks including 22 unreleased pieces from core artists like Thundercat, Teebs, and Flying Lotus collaborators, highlighting the imprint's evolution from intimate LA sessions to a broader collective sound. The label has profoundly shaped the West Coast beat scene by fostering a diverse fusion of , hip-hop, and electronic music, encouraging artists to blend spiritual jazz improvisation with glitchy production techniques. This cross-pollination, evident in releases that merge bass-driven grooves with experimentation, helped redefine instrumental hip-hop's boundaries and inspired a new generation of genre-blurring creators in . By the 2020s, had evolved to incorporate international acts like the UK-based Lapalux and the Norwegian Jaga Jazzist, alongside global live events such as the 2020 "Flying Lotus x Brainfeeder" livestream extravaganza featuring Teebs and Salami Rose Joe Louis, which adapted the label's communal ethos to virtual formats amid the pandemic. The label has continued its output into 2025, with releases such as Salami Rose Joe Louis's Lorings (April 2025) and Thundercat's singles "I Wish I Didn't Waste Your Time" and "Children of the " (September 2025), sustaining its influence in experimental and -infused electronic music. Brainfeeder's influence has garnered critical acclaim, with frequent coverage in outlets like , which has profiled releases such as Dorian Concept's 2018 album and the 2018 anniversary compilation for their innovative electronic and integrations.

Filmmaking

Kuso

marked Flying Lotus's directorial debut, a surreal musical that premiered at the 2017 in the Midnight section. Produced by Films under the pseudonym "Steve" for its director, the low-budget project drew stylistic influences from programming, reflecting Flying Lotus's prior musical contributions to the network. The film explores grotesque, post-apocalyptic vignettes broadcast via a makeshift network of discarded televisions, blending live-action with to depict mutated survivors navigating bodily mutations and absurd scenarios in the aftermath of a catastrophic in . The narrative unfolds as an interconnected series of sketches featuring extreme bodily horror and improvised musical sequences, emphasizing themes of physical decay, sexuality, and surreal humor. Key characters include Kazo, a man dealing with a parasitic growth, played by comedian , and Dr. Albert Clinton, portrayed by funk legend George Clinton, who treats afflicted patients in bizarre medical scenes. Additional cast members, such as animator David Firth voicing the Roach Man and in a supporting role, contribute to the film's chaotic ensemble, highlighting interpersonal absurdities amid the disaster's chaos. The plot prioritizes visceral, dreamlike episodes over linear storytelling, incorporating elements like talking boils, incestuous encounters, and hallucinatory creatures to evoke a nightmarish . Visually, Kuso combines practical effects for its grotesque prosthetics and bodily transformations with hand-drawn animation sequences reminiscent of anime's exaggerated expressiveness, creating a hybrid aesthetic that amplifies the horror-comedy tone. This approach was inspired by the transgressive, campy filmmaking of , evident in the film's unapologetic embrace of scatological and taboo humor, while practical makeup and stop-motion techniques underscore the tangible revulsion of its body horror elements. The production relied on a small crew and innovative low-fi methods to achieve its distorted, otherworldly look, fostering an intimate, experimental feel. Upon release, Kuso sparked controversy for its explicit depictions of gore, , and depravity, leading to numerous walkouts during its Sundance screening and earning descriptors like "the grossest movie ever made" from critics. While some reviewers praised its audacious creativity and boundary-pushing as a fresh take on traditions, others criticized its perceived lack of coherence and overreliance on . Over time, the film cultivated a dedicated among fans of experimental cinema and , appreciated for its unfiltered exploration of human vulnerability. The project ties directly to Flying Lotus's contemporaneous album Kuso, whose psychedelic, genre-blending sound enhances the film's immersive, disorienting vibe in a synergy.

V/H/S/99

Flying Lotus directed the "Ozzy's Dungeon" segment for the 2022 Shudder horror anthology , a found-footage short that parodies children's game shows infused with elements referencing . Co-written with Zoe Cooper, the segment blends satire and horror in a style reminiscent of his earlier film . The plot unfolds as a mock snuff film depicting a vengeful family's of a bigoted after their daughter suffers a severe injury during a contest, escalating into a grotesque ritual summoning a tentacled cosmic entity. Key cameos include actor Steve Ogg as the sleazy host and as the girl's mother, adding layers of dark humor to the revenge narrative. Production emphasized authentic VHS aesthetics through degraded video quality and low-fi visuals, achieved via collaboration with a visual effects team to simulate analog tape degradation while incorporating practical gore elements like excrement and melting faces. The segment was completed prior to the film's October release, showcasing Flying Lotus's growing expertise in genre filmmaking. Critics highlighted "Ozzy's Dungeon" as a standout for its irreverent humor, nostalgic recreation of '90s TV tropes, and seamless fusion of body horror with cosmic dread, further solidifying Flying Lotus's credentials as a multifaceted horror director.

Ash

Ash is a 2025 American science fiction horror film written by Jonni Remmler and directed by Flying Lotus, marking his second feature-length directorial effort following Kuso (2017). The film stars Eiza González as Riya, an astronaut who awakens with amnesia on a remote alien planet called Ash, where she discovers her crew has been brutally murdered, forcing her to navigate isolation and paranoia alongside survivor Brion, played by Aaron Paul. Supporting roles are filled by Iko Uwais, Kate Elliott, and Beulah Koale, with the narrative centering on themes of psychological dread, body horror, and fractured trust amid an unforgiving extraterrestrial environment. Development on began in September 2022 under producers Nate Bolotin of and Mathew Metcalfe of GFC Films, with commencing in May 2023 primarily in studios around , . The production faced challenges inherent to its microbudget scale, relying on a blend of practical effects for gore sequences—evoking visceral akin to The Thing—and over 340 digital visual effects shots crafted by local VFX house PRPVFX to depict the desolate alien landscapes and nightmarish creatures. Flying Lotus drew inspiration from survival horror video games such as , , and , infusing the film with atmospheric tension and exploratory dread that emphasizes human vulnerability in vast, hostile spaces. Building on his prior experience directing the "Ozzy's Dungeon" segment in the anthology (2022), he self-taught CGI techniques via online tutorials to enhance the film's immersive, game-like aesthetic. The film had its world premiere at the (SXSW) in March 2025, receiving praise from critics for its striking visuals, throbbing , and seamless integration of horror elements, though some noted the script's reliance on familiar tropes. Distributed theatrically by RLJE Films and later on Shudder, Ash represents a mainstream breakthrough for Flying Lotus, expanding his multimedia profile with innovative effects and star power. The film grossed $1.1 million worldwide and received generally positive reviews, earning a 71% approval rating on based on 92 reviews (as of November 2025). It became available for streaming on Shudder and in April 2025.

Discography

Studio albums

Flying Lotus's debut studio album, 1983, was released on October 3, 2006, by Plug Research. The record features glitchy, jazz-inflected beats drawing from the producer's family legacy in music, including influences from his great-aunt Alice Coltrane. His second album, Los Angeles, arrived on June 9, 2008, via Warp Records. It incorporates live instrumentation alongside electronic production, evoking the city's diverse sonic landscape with hip-hop, jazz, and funk elements. Cosmogramma, released on May 3, 2010, also on Warp Records, marked a shift toward orchestral and cosmic experimentation, blending harp, strings, and broken beats in a 17-track suite. The follow-up, Until the Quiet Comes, came out on October 1, 2012, through Warp Records. This vocal-heavy effort explores introspective themes with dubstep-tinged rhythms and contributions from singers like Thom Yorke and Erykah Badu. You're Dead!, issued on October 6, 2014, by Warp Records, is a jazz-fusion concept album meditating on mortality, featuring a star-studded lineup including Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg over frenetic, death-themed compositions. Flamagra, Flying Lotus's sixth studio album, was released on May 24, 2019, on Warp Records. It showcases epic collaborations with artists like Anderson .Paak and George Clinton, weaving fire mythology through psychedelic electronic and soulful tracks. Yasuke, released on April 30, 2021, via Brainfeeder and Warp Records, serves as the soundtrack to the Netflix anime series of the same name. The album fuses traditional Japanese instrumentation with hip-hop beats and orchestral swells, reflecting the historical narrative of the African samurai. Ash (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), released on March 19, 2025, via , is the score for the sci-fi horror film directed by Flying Lotus. The 27-track album blends atmospheric electronic sounds, orchestral elements, and experimental textures to evoke the film's themes of isolation and cosmic dread.

EPs and mixtapes

Flying Lotus began his association with in 2006 by composing short electronic "bumps"—30-second interstitial pieces used during commercial breaks—which collectively formed a mini-album of experimental TV sound design. These tracks highlighted his early flair for glitchy, atmospheric beats tailored to the network's surreal aesthetic. His debut EP on Warp Records, Reset, arrived in 2007 and delved into abstract electronic territory with manipulated samples and rhythmic fragmentation, establishing his reputation for boundary-pushing production. Tracks like "Tea Leaf Dancers" and "Long Stem" demonstrated a fusion of IDM and jazz influences, earning praise for their innovative sound manipulation. In 2010, Pattern + Grid World, also on Warp Records, emerged as a concise ambient EP that previewed the cosmic explorations of his subsequent album Cosmogramma. Comprising seven tracks, it featured ethereal, grid-like structures and subtle melodic layers, emphasizing spatial audio design over traditional beats. The EP's release underscored Flying Lotus's evolving interest in procedural, pattern-based composition. Adopting the alias Captain Murphy—a nod to his rapping persona—Flying Lotus self-released the mixtape Duality in 2012, a 35-minute continuous piece blending abstract hip-hop with psychedelic visuals drawn from vintage footage. The project explored duality in themes of identity and , with dense, sample-heavy production that masked his involvement until later reveals. Accompanied by a deluxe edition featuring separated tracks and instrumentals, it marked a pivotal foray into vocal-led experimentation. Most recently, the Spirit Box EP, released on Warp Records in October 2024, returned to glitch-ambient realms with eight tracks blending vaporous synths, fragmented rhythms, and subtle field recordings. Described as a "light-filled" collection, it reflects Flying Lotus's ongoing fascination with ethereal, otherworldly soundscapes, marking his first major release since 2019's Flamagra. The EP's limited black-and-red marble vinyl edition, tied to Record Store Day 2025, underscores its collector appeal and experimental ethos.

Singles and production credits

Flying Lotus has released several notable standalone singles throughout his career, often blending electronic, , and hip-hop elements. One of his early breakthroughs was "Zodiac Shit" in 2010, an instrumental track from his Cosmogramma that gained attention for its animated directed by Ellison himself, featuring surreal visuals inspired by the song's cosmic themes. The track's innovative production, incorporating glitchy beats and ambient textures, helped solidify his reputation in the experimental electronic scene. In 2014, Flying Lotus released "Never Catch Me" featuring , a high-energy single from his You're Dead! that showcased his ability to craft tense, jazz-infused beats for rap vocals. The track, with its rapid percussion and orchestral swells, received critical acclaim for bridging hip-hop and . Its accompanying video, directed by , depicted a high-speed chase and further amplified its cultural impact. As his alter ego Captain Murphy, Flying Lotus dropped the single "Between Villains" in 2013, a collaboration with Viktor Vaughn () and produced for Adult Swim's singles series. The track's dark, lo-fi aesthetic and layered rhymes over harp-like samples highlighted Ellison's prowess and production versatility within underground hip-hop. The collaborative single "Between Friends," featuring and Captain Murphy under the imprint in 2013, exemplified a hybrid of Flying Lotus's beatmaking and Murphy's lyrical style, bridging electronic and hip-hop elements in a concise, introspective format. In 2019, "Post Requisite" emerged as a key single from , emphasizing Flying Lotus's signature polyrhythmic structures and melodic minimalism. The piece, clocking in at just over two minutes, served as a amid the album's denser arrangements and was praised for its hypnotic groove. More recently, in 2024, Flying Lotus surprise-released singles "Garmonbozia" and "Ingo Swann" as part of his EP Spirit Box, marking a shift toward house-influenced rhythms with soulful undertones. "Ingo Swann," in particular, drew from psychic research themes and featured bouncy basslines, reflecting his ongoing exploration of genre fusion. These tracks, released via Warp Records, underscored his evolution into warmer, more accessible electronic sounds by late 2024. Beyond his own releases, Flying Lotus has earned acclaim for his production work on other artists' projects, particularly in and hip-hop. He fully produced Thundercat's 2011 debut album , infusing it with cosmic vibes through tracks like "Daylight" and "For Love I Come." This collaboration extended to Thundercat's 2013 album , where Ellison handled the entire production, crafting psychedelic bass-driven songs such as "Oh Sheit It's X" and "." He also co-produced key tracks on Thundercat's 2017 album Drunk, including "Them Changes," which blended funk grooves with emotional depth and earned a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. By 2020, their partnership continued on It Is What It Is, with Flying Lotus contributing to productions like "Black Qualls," maintaining their signature interplay of live instrumentation and electronic experimentation. Flying Lotus's production credits also include high-profile hip-hop features, such as the beat for Kendrick Lamar's verse on "Never Catch Me," where his drumming patterns and string arrangements elevated the track's urgency. Earlier, in 2010, he directed the music video for Erykah Badu's "Gone Baby, Don't Be Long" from New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh, blending his visual and sonic aesthetics in a psychedelic . His broader up to 2025 encompasses over 50 production credits across albums and singles, with highlights in experimental and jazz-rap genres.

Filmography

As director

Flying Lotus, also known by his filmmaking alias steve, began his directorial career in the mid-2010s with experimental shorts that blended horror, surrealism, and body horror elements, often tied to his musical output. His debut short, Royal (2016), premiered at Sundance NEXT Fest and explored themes of human survival in a post-apocalyptic setting through visceral, explicit imagery. This was followed by Skinflick (2017), a self-scored short that honors the beauty in a performer's unique skin condition through intimate close-up imagery. Transitioning to longer-form work, Flying Lotus made his feature directorial debut with (2017), a psychedelic horror-comedy that premiered at Sundance and featured grotesque, animated sequences inspired by his electronic music aesthetic. In 2022, he directed the segment "Ozzy's Dungeon" for the horror anthology , a satirical take on children's game shows infused with escalating terror and found-footage style. His music video directorial credits include co-directing "Fire Is Coming" (2019) from his album , featuring in a nightmarish, animated collaboration with director David Firth. In the , Flying Lotus expanded into with (2025), his second , a cosmic horror story starring and as stranded astronauts facing alien threats on a desolate planet; the film premiered at SXSW and was both directed and scored by him. Throughout the 2010s, he also contributed to live show visuals and early animations for programming, including custom projections for his performances that integrated and psychedelic motifs, though these were primarily uncredited collaborative efforts. No additional directorial projects were announced as of late 2025 beyond 's release.

As composer

Flying Lotus has composed original scores for several films, blending electronic textures with atmospheric to enhance narrative tension and surreal elements. His debut score was for (2017), a psychedelic horror that he also directed, where he crafted a disorienting incorporating glitchy and experimental noise alongside contributions from collaborators like and . The score's fragmented, otherworldly quality mirrored the film's grotesque vignettes set in a post-earthquake . In 2022, Flying Lotus provided the score for the segment "Ozzy's Dungeon" in the horror anthology V/H/S/99, which he co-wrote and directed. This seven-track composition, released as Music From The Hit Game Show Ozzy's Dungeon, evoked '80s and '90s game show aesthetics with retro synths and eerie drones, satirizing children's programming while building suspense through layered electronic motifs. More recently, for his 2025 science-fiction horror film Ash, which he directed and starred in alongside Eiza González and Aaron Paul, Flying Lotus delivered a synth-driven score inspired by composers like John Carpenter and Akira Yamaoka of the Silent Hill series. The 27-track soundtrack, released via Milan Records, features pulsating electronic waves and ambient horror elements that underscore the film's themes of isolation and extraterrestrial invasion. Beyond films, Flying Lotus composed the full original score for the 2021 Netflix anime series Yasuke, an alternate-history tale of a Black samurai voiced by LaKeith Stanfield. Drawing from his lifelong affinity for anime and electronic soundtracks, the score fuses hip-hop beats, jazz improvisation, and synthetic orchestration to evoke feudal Japan with a futuristic edge, featuring collaborations with artists like Thundercat and Denzel Curry. The full soundtrack was released as an album on April 30, 2021, via Warp Records. Flying Lotus's compositional contributions extend to television and experimental media, including ongoing work on interstitials or "bumps" since the late 2000s, where his early electronic instrumentals like "Zodiac Shit" (2010) helped define the block's quirky, psychedelic vibe. His work has also drawn inspirations from soundtracks, influencing unreleased projects with glitchy, immersive electronic designs reminiscent of horror titles like . Over time, Flying Lotus's scoring style has evolved from dense, beat-oriented electronic compositions rooted in his hip-hop and IDM background to more hybrid forms integrating orchestral swells, live instrumentation, and cinematic synths, often reflecting his lineage while adapting to visual storytelling demands.

Awards and nominations

Music awards

Flying Lotus has received several nominations and wins from prestigious music awards organizations, recognizing his innovative contributions to electronic, , and experimental genres.

Grammy Awards

  • 2016 (58th Annual): Nominated for Best Dance Recording for "Never Catch Me" (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
  • 2016 (58th Annual): Nominated for Album of the Year for To Pimp a Butterfly (as co-producer)
  • 2021 (63rd Annual): Nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
  • 2021 (63rd Annual): Won Best Progressive R&B Album for producing Thundercat's It Is What It Is

Independent Music Awards (IMA)

  • 2007 (6th Annual): Won Best Electronic Album for 1983
  • 2007 (6th Annual): Won another category for 1983 (specific category unconfirmed in primary sources, but recognized for overall electronic innovation)
  • 2011 (10th Annual): Won Dance/Electronica Album for Cosmogramma

Association of Independent Music (AIM) Awards

  • 2020: Won Best Independent Track for "More" (with Anderson .Paak)
These accolades highlight Flying Lotus's impact on electronic music production and collaboration, with no further major music awards reported through 2025.

Film and other awards

Flying Lotus, under his birth name Steven Ellison, has received recognition for his contributions to film as a director and composer, particularly through audience-driven honors at genre festivals. His directorial debut feature, Kuso (2017), a surreal body horror anthology, earned two audience awards at the Splat! FilmFest in Cologne, Germany: Most Shocking Film and Best Special Effects, highlighting the film's provocative visual and thematic impact. These accolades underscored the polarizing reception of Kuso, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier that year and drew attention for its grotesque animation and experimental style. In addition to Kuso, Ellison's short film Royal (2016), which served as a precursor to his feature work and premiered at Sundance's NEXT FEST, received praise for its innovative blend of live-action and animation but did not secure formal awards. His segment "Ozzy's Dungeon" in the anthology horror film (2022), which he directed and scored, contributed to the project's cult following in the found-footage genre, though specific individual honors for the segment were not reported. Ellison's sophomore feature, Ash (2025), a science fiction horror film that he directed, wrote, and scored, starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul, garnered a nomination for the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival, where it world-premiered in March 2025. This recognition affirmed his growing reputation in genre filmmaking, with critics noting the film's atmospheric sound design and visual effects as key strengths. Beyond these, Ellison has composed scores for shorts like FuckkkYouuuu (2015) by Eddie Alcazar, which screened at festivals including Sundance NEXT FEST, but no dedicated scoring awards have been documented.

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  53. https://flyinglotus.bandcamp.com/album/pattern-grid-world
  54. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14643-pattern-grid-world-ep/
  55. https://drownedinsound.com/releases/15685/reviews/4141113
  56. https://pitchfork.com/news/42169-flying-lotus-working-with-erykah-badu/
  57. https://pitchfork.com/news/42828-listen-flying-lotus-unleashes-unreleased-tracks/
  58. https://www.thewordisbond.com/audio-flying-lotus-remixes/
  59. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/aug/22/flying-lotus-infinity-london-review
  60. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/flying-lotus/2010/echoplex-los-angeles-ca-23d5045b.html
  61. https://flying-lotus.com/until-the-quiet-comes/
  62. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9017-the-top-50-albums-of-2012/?page=6
  63. https://pitchfork.com/news/47230-listen-flying-lotus-featuring-earl-sweatshirt-between-friends/
  64. https://pitchfork.com/news/48579-listenwatch-mystery-rapper-captain-murphys-duality-mixtape/
  65. https://www.xxlmag.com/act-like-u-know-captain-murphy/
  66. https://pitchfork.com/news/49132-flying-lotus-gives-first-interview-about-captain-murphy-working-on-new-material/
  67. https://consequence.net/2013/06/adult-swim-to-release-new-music-from-captain-murphy-and-doom-miguel-dan-deacon/
  68. https://www.biography.com/musicians/chance-the-rapper
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  70. https://music.apple.com/us/album/youre-dead-deluxe-edition/1046650572
  71. https://www.wfae.org/2014-10-22/music-review-youre-dead-by-flying-lotus
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  74. https://warp.net/products/53720-youre-dead
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  76. https://jazztimes.com/features/columns/the-gig-flying-lotus-electric-dreams/
  77. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-ca-flying-lotus-youre-dead20141005-column.html
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  85. https://pitchfork.com/news/flying-lotus-announces-3d-tour/
  86. https://www.spin.com/2017/08/flying-lotus-3d-tour-north-america-dates/
  87. https://atwoodmagazine.com/live-flying-lotus-brooklyn-2017/
  88. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/flying-lotus-kuso-film-review/
  89. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/18/kuso-review-flying-lotus-horror
  90. https://flyinglotus.bandcamp.com/album/flamagra
  91. https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/flying-lotus-interview-flamagra-mac-miller-david-lynch.html
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  93. https://warp.net/editorial/an-inextinguishable-flame-the-instruments-of-flamagra
  94. https://variety.com/2019/music/reviews/album-review-flying-lotus-flamagra-1203224827/
  95. https://www.gq.com/story/flying-lotus-interview
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  97. https://minimusiccritic.com/album-review-flying-lotus-flamagra-is-a-fascinating-next-step/
  98. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTrTtzTQrv0
  99. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakocay/2019/09/16/strangeloop-studios/
  100. https://slaysonics.com/behind-the-record-flamagra-by-flying-lotus/
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  102. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/24/flying-lotus-flamagra-review-warp
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  106. https://pitchfork.com/news/flying-lotus-and-thundercat-share-new-song-black-gold-listen/
  107. https://consequence.net/2021/04/flying-lotus-soundtrack-yasuke-stream/
  108. https://warp.net/products/229755-yasuke
  109. https://flyinglotus.bandcamp.com/album/yasuke
  110. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7sbQcJUe5c
  111. https://edm.com/lifestyle/flying-lotus-yolo-crystal-fantasy-adult-swim-con-dj-set/
  112. https://musictech.com/news/watch-flying-lotus-marc-rebillet-and-reggie-watts-improvise-together-on-the-h3-podcast/
  113. https://pitchfork.com/news/flying-lotus-surprise-releases-new-ep-spirit-box-listen/
  114. https://floodmagazine.com/180264/flying-lotus-spirit-box/
  115. https://flying-lotus.com/
  116. https://www.treblezine.com/flying-lotus-releases-new-ep-spirit-box/
  117. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/flying-lotus-oxygene-ash-soundtrack-1235293437/
  118. https://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/artists/flying-lotus
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  120. https://ra.co/events/2285608
  121. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/flying-lotus
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  125. https://salamirosejoelouismusic.bandcamp.com/album/lorings
  126. https://northerntransmissions.com/thundercat-returns-with-i-wish-i-didnt-waste-your-time-and-children-of-the-baked-potato/
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  133. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/vhs99-movie-review-2022
  134. https://collider.com/vhs99-ozzys-dungeon-most-deranged-horror-anthology-segment/
  135. https://cinepunx.com/flying-lotus-directed-a-perfect-horror-short-with-ozzys-dungeon-spoilers/
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  141. https://screenauckland.com/news/ash-movie-unveils-incredible-vfx-by-leading-auckland-operator-prpvfx
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  144. https://filmmakermagazine.com/130125-interview-flying-lotus-steve-ellison-ash/
  145. https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/760620/flying-lotus-ash-film/
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  147. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ash_2025
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  149. https://flyinglotus.bandcamp.com/album/cosmogramma
  150. https://pitchfork.com/news/flying-lotus-details-soundtrack-for-new-movie-ash-shares-song-listen/
  151. https://www.popmatters.com/124951-flying-lotus-cosmogramma-2496201219.html
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  153. https://flying-lotus.warp.net/release/123646-flying-lotus-patterngrid-world
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  155. https://genius.com/albums/Captain-murphy/Duality
  156. https://djmag.com/news/flying-lotus-releases-surprise-ep-spirit-box
  157. https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/18652
  158. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtjZOf0WmdE
  159. https://flyinglotus.bandcamp.com/track/zodiac-shit
  160. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U3R8E0m5WY
  161. https://pitchfork.com/news/51934-listen-captain-murphy-aka-flying-lotus-earl-sweatshirt-viktor-vaughn-aka-doom-thundercat-team-for-between-villains/
  162. https://genius.com/Captain-murphy-between-villains-lyrics
  163. https://brainfeeder.net/2012/07/23/flying-lotus-ft-earl-sweatshirt-captain-murphy-between-friends/
  164. https://open.spotify.com/track/6vPRXjeMTGybbu4WIEUEPC
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  166. https://flyinglotus.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-box-2
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  171. https://consequence.net/2011/02/erykah-badu-gone-baby-dont-be-long/
  172. https://www.discogs.com/artist/365248-Flying-Lotus
  173. https://www.wired.com/2016/08/flying-lotus-directed-short-as-steve/
  174. https://pitchfork.com/news/67385-watch-a-preview-of-flying-lotus-new-short-film/
  175. https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-flying-lotus-new-short-film-skinflick/
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  183. https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/9/22373405/yasuke-netflix-flying-lotus-interview
  184. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/flying-lotus/120737020
  185. https://songstats.com/artist/9lpk26q0/flying-lotus
  186. https://www.aimawards.co.uk/2020/08/27/aim-awards-2020-winners-2/
  187. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6131712/awards/
  188. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17489650/awards/
  189. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/flying-lotus-short-film-selected-402358/
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