Hubbry Logo
SlushiiSlushiiMain
Open search
Slushii
Community hub
Slushii
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Slushii
Slushii
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Julian Michael Scanlan (born May 1, 1997), known professionally as Slushii, is an American musician, DJ, songwriter, and music producer based in Los Angeles.[1] He is best known for working with various artists managed by Moe Shalizi, such as Marshmello, Ookay and Jauz, and for gaining support from notable musician and Owsla-record label founder Skrillex.[3][4]

Early life

[edit]

Scanlan grew up in Mount Laurel and graduated from Lenape High School in Burlington County, New Jersey.[5] He worked at Best Buy as a customer service representative in New Jersey until the loss of his cloud-based music and followers led him to start down a new path.[6] Scanlan was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which he says interfered with his ability to make friends and read social cues. As a result, he was victim of ableist bullying in middle school.[1]

He began his musical career by joining psychedelic power-pop band Deuteronomy for three years until 2012,[7] releasing one album, Propaganda.[8] He was a part of the musical duo "Monsters with Tiny Mustaches" alongside his partner MHKAZ.[9]

He became involved with dance music in 2013, using "DJ Swoon" as an alias.[10] One of his SoundCloud posts as DJ Swoon was taken down due to SoundCloud's automatic copyright system, having his account permanently deleted. Shortly after the takedown of his previous alias, Scanlan decided to start a new musical project, dedicated to his more light-hearted and future bass sound, releasing his remix of Zedd and Selena Gomez's "I Want You to Know", which was his first official project under the stage name "Slushii".[1][11]

Career

[edit]

2016–2017

[edit]

He signed for Red Light Management in February 2016.[1]

His first single for Canadian label Monstercat, Emptiness, was released on April 20, 2016. He self-released his seven-track debut extended play titled "Brain Freeze" on May 20, 2016.[12][4] YourEDM gave it a 9.2 out of 10 rating.[2] His musical style includes contemporary EDM production combining helium vocals, giddy trance synths, trap drums, and dubstep drops.[1] He released "Dear Me" as a free download.[13][14]

In March 2017, Slushii released a dubstep single titled "Catch Me". It was described as an "upbeat, trapstep-inspired & bass-heavy track".[15] He later collaborated with future bass DJ, Marshmello, for their single "Twinbow", though this is not the first time that they have collaborated.[16][17]

On August 4, 2017, Slushii released his debut studio album titled Out of Light, which contained 13 songs, including "Dear Me".[18]

Discography

[edit]
  • Out of Light (2017)
  • Dream (2018)
  • Dream II (2019)
  • Dream III (2020)
  • E.L.E (Extinction Level Event) (2022)
  • A Slushii Summer (2022)

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Slushii, born Julian Michael Scanlan on May 1, 1997, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, is an American electronic dance music producer, DJ, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He is renowned for his genre-blending style that fuses future bass, hyperpop, and nostalgic anime-inspired elements, often performed at major festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas, Tomorrowland, and Ultra Music Festival. Scanlan first gained widespread recognition in 2016 with the self-released debut album Brain Freeze, which showcased his high-energy tracks and earned support from industry figures like , , and . His early career included viral remixes, such as his take on The Chainsmokers' "Closer" featuring Halsey, and collaborations with artists managed by Moe Shalizi, including . Under his alias sapientdream, he released the breakout single "Past Lives" in 2023, a dreamy electronic track that amassed millions of streams and inspired a sci-fi webtoon partnership with , launched in summer 2025 as Sapient Dream with ongoing episodes. In 2025, Slushii marked a creative with the album Chrysalis, an 18-track project co-produced under his Slushii and sapientdream aliases, blending visuals, experimentation, and introspective themes of transformation. The release featured singles like "Needed Your Heart," alongside quiet drops under a new alias, Dinner With Judy, exploring sounds. Chrysalis earned a spot on the 2026 ballot, highlighting "Past Lives" for potential nomination, while Slushii continued touring, including dates in Nashville and Anime Expo panels. His work often draws from personal experiences, including his diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome, emphasizing emotional depth in electronic music production.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Julian Scanlan, professionally known as Slushii, was born on May 1, 1997, in , where he spent his childhood in a duplex with his mother, , and younger sister. His mother worked as a at a nearby mall to support the family, while his father was absent from their lives; had a brief background in New York's scene and noted that Julian kicked in rhythm to the beats during her performances while pregnant with him. Scanlan was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome early in childhood, which affected his social interactions and contributed to challenges in school. He faced significant in middle and high school, where peers taunted him over his appearance, perceived oddities, and social difficulties, leading to isolation, depression, and a retreat into music. Scanlan graduated from a local high school in , around 2015. Following graduation, he took classes at a local community college while working part-time as a attendant at , earning . These early experiences with personal challenges began to shape his interest in music as an outlet during .

Initial musical interests

Slushii, born Julian Michael Scanlan, first engaged with through his involvement in the psychedelic power-pop band Deuteronomy, where he served as and songwriter from to 2012. During this period, he contributed to the band's debut album, The Propaganda of Deuteronomy, released in 2012. Around the same time, Scanlan participated in the musical duo Monsters With Tiny Mustaches alongside collaborator MHKAZ, further exploring collaborative songwriting and performance in a more intimate format. These experiences marked his initial forays into live and composition during his teenage years. By 2013, while still in high school, Scanlan began transitioning toward electronic music , adopting the alias DJ Swoon and uploading initial tracks to , where he built a modest following through remixes and original dubstep-oriented works. His skills were entirely self-taught, honed through independent experimentation with digital audio workstations during this formative period; the DJ Swoon account was later deleted, prompting a rebrand. This shift reflected a growing interest in , influenced by electronic artists like , whom he discovered at age 13.

Career

2013–2015: Early endeavors

In 2013, Julian Scanlan, who had previously played guitar in the rock band Deuteronomy until 2012, transitioned to production under the alias DJ Swoon. He began uploading experimental tracks to , focusing on and electro styles inspired by artists like , which garnered a modest local following through basement-style productions shared online. However, later that year, terminated his DJ Swoon account during a widespread enforcement action, wiping out his emerging audience of around 8,000 followers. Undeterred, Scanlan adopted the new alias Slushii—derived from a concept of a , liquid-like character reminiscent of influences—and relaunched on in 2015, starting fresh with remixes and original experiments that quickly rebuilt his online presence. These early uploads, often shared informally with peers, helped cultivate a small but dedicated following among electronic music enthusiasts, emphasizing high-energy drops and melodic elements that would define his sound. During this period, Slushii engaged in informal collaborations with local producers and performed at small gigs in the area, including house parties and community events, while balancing part-time work at . By mid-2015, seeking greater opportunities in the electronic scene, he relocated to to pursue music production full-time, marking a pivotal shift from amateur experimentation to professional aspirations.

2016–2017: Breakthrough and debut

In early 2016, Slushii signed with Red Light Management, a pivotal step that connected him with influential figures in the (EDM) scene, including support from founder . His breakthrough came with the release of the single "Emptiness" on on April 20, 2016, marking his first major label output and showcasing his signature sound with emotive melodies and uplifting drops. This was followed shortly by his self-released debut (EP), Brain Freeze, on May 20, 2016, which featured seven tracks blending , , and dance elements, including standout cuts like "Sapient Dream" and "Make Me Feel." Building momentum into 2017, Slushii released the dubstep-leaning single "Catch Me" on March 3, which highlighted his vocal production skills and aggressive basslines. Around the same time, on March 17, he collaborated with fellow masked producer on "Twinbow," a high-energy track that emphasized their shared playful aesthetic and garnered attention within the genre. Slushii's debut studio , Out of Light, arrived on August 4, 2017, as a self-released 13-track project that delved into personal themes of emotion and growth, with notable songs like the introspective "Dear Me" and the title track. The received positive critical reception for its emotional depth and cohesive production, praised as a " of emotions" that demonstrated Slushii's maturity at age 20, though it did not achieve significant mainstream chart positions as an independent release. During this period, Slushii expanded his live presence with early tours and festival appearances, including sets at Chicago and in 2017, often bolstered by Skrillex's onstage surprises and endorsements that elevated his profile in the EDM circuit.

2018–2022: Expansion and Dream series

Following the momentum from his 2017 debut album Out of Light, Slushii entered a prolific phase marked by the release of his sophomore album Dream on December 14, 2018, a self-released 16-track project that shifted toward more introspective and melodic electronic sounds. This album introduced a softer, emotional aesthetic, featuring tracks like "Find" and "Stay" that emphasized vulnerability and atmospheric production. In 2019, Slushii continued this evolution under his alias sapientdream with Dream II, released on November 22, a 17-track sequel that deepened the narrative themes of longing and self-reflection through and lo-fi influences. The trilogy culminated in Dream III on September 18, 2020, co-billed with sapientdream and comprising 17 songs that concluded the emotional arc with uplifting resolutions in tracks such as "Painter" and "Fall for You." Collectively, the Dream series formed a thematic trilogy exploring personal growth and relationships, self-released to maintain artistic control and connect directly with fans. Slushii's growth extended to key collaborations during this period, including the trap-infused "Sandcastles" with Ookay in January 2020, which debuted at major festivals and highlighted his bass-heavy production style. He also featured on and Crankdat's "I Hold Still" in 2017, but deepened ties through shared performances and management under Moe Shalizi's Shalizi Group, which oversaw his roster including and facilitated cross-promotions. Under Shalizi's guidance since 2016, Slushii benefited from strategic touring and branding that amplified his visibility. This era saw Slushii solidify his live presence with major festival slots, including sets at Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas in 2018 and Ultra Music Festival Miami in 2018 and 2022, where he delivered high-energy performances blending future bass and dubstep elements. He embarked on international tours, such as the There X2 Tour in 2018 spanning North American cities and extensions to events like EDC Mexico, alongside European and Asian festival appearances that expanded his global fanbase. A career milestone came in 2020 with "All I Need" featuring Aviella, released on Monstercat, which became his most-streamed track to date, surpassing 30 million global streams and serving as the intro song for Rocket League. In 2021, Slushii began exploring experimental avenues beyond his established EDM sound, quietly releasing tracks under the alias Dinner With Judy on , marking an initial pivot toward more eclectic production styles. Building on the foundational dream-pop elements of his earlier Dream series, these understated uploads, including the punk-infused "Blackout," showcased a direction with saccharine melodies and raucous energy, allowing him to test boundaries without mainstream fanfare. This phase of reinvention emphasized personal creative freedom, influencing his subsequent expansions. In 2022, Slushii diversified his output with E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event), a 14-track dubstep-focused album released on on March 3, featuring collaborations like "Do That" with Volt and emphasizing heavy drops and experimental bass. Later that year, on September 23, he compiled his summer singles into A Slushii Summer via Dim Mak Records, a 15-track collection including "Forever With U" and "Smoke" that captured upbeat, nostalgic vibes and marked his second full-length release of the period.

2023–present: Reinvention and recent projects

In 2023, Slushii's reinvention gained momentum with the release of the breakout single "Past Lives" under his sapientdream alias, a dreamy electronic track that amassed millions of streams across platforms and laid the groundwork for his multimedia expansions, including a remix by The Chainsmokers. Slushii's return to major releases in 2025 highlighted his genre-blending evolution, starting with the single "It's Not Over (Til It's Over)" in February, a cinematic track featuring chopped vocals and swelling synths that built tension through progressive house and dubstep influences. This led to the EP Operation: Overload in May, his first in over two years, comprising eight tracks that fused melodic trap, bass-heavy anthems, and emotional vocal chops, as seen in collaborations like "Wanna Be The One" with Seddy Hendrinx and DJ Whookid. The project captured his full sonic range, from high-energy drops to introspective builds, signaling a bold chapter of overload and experimentation. A pinnacle of this period arrived with the collaborative album Chrysalis in July 2025, co-produced with his ambient alias sapientdream under the new label SONICdream, featuring 18 tracks that intertwined EDM, dream-pop, and electronic elements with narrative depth. The album's themes drew from sci-fi and transformation motifs, blending high-impact basslines with ethereal soundscapes in songs like "What Could Have Been" and a refreshed "Past Lives," creating a cohesive alternate universe. Chrysalis earned placement on the 2026 Grammy Awards ballot in categories such as Best Dance/Electronic Album, positioning it as a high-impact contribution to electronic music's evolution, while "Past Lives" was highlighted for potential nomination. Complementing the album, Slushii announced a partnership with in June 2025 for Sapient Dream, a sci-fi action inspired by his hit "Past Lives," which has amassed over 16 billion streams across platforms. The series fuses manga-style storytelling with musical immersion, where each chapter syncs to Chrysalis tracks, expanding his work into interactive multimedia and appealing to global and EDM audiences through joint promotions like panels. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Slushii maintained momentum with ongoing tours and festival appearances, including U.S. headline dates and slots at events like , emphasizing his reinvention through live sets that incorporated , , and ambient transitions to engage diverse crowds. These performances underscored his adaptability, blending high-energy with experimental visuals to reinforce his identity.

Musical style and influences

Characteristics and production techniques

Slushii's sound is defined by a fusion of (EDM) subgenres, prominently featuring helium-like high-pitched and pitch-shifted vocals, giddy trance-inspired synths, trap-style drums, and intense drops that create a saccharine yet high-voltage aesthetic. This combination yields spacey, emotional beats that balance cutesy melodies with heavy, "nuclear" drops, as heard in early blending pop hooks with aggression. In his initial productions, Slushii emphasized future bass and melodic elements, incorporating soft-tempo textures, R&B-infused vocals, and piano-driven intros to evoke longing and escape, diverging from purely aggressive EDM norms. His debut album Out of Light exemplified this approach, using layered synths to build depth and seamless emotional transitions across tracks. Techniques such as gradual intensity builds and chopped drops heightened tension and release, pairing light-hearted, rhythmic synths with downtempo beats for a vulnerable, hope-infused dance sound. Over time, Slushii's production has expanded into broader electronic experimentation, integrating stripped-down vocals, slow-building tension, and euphoric sonic shifts while retaining core melodic foundations. His live sets reinforce this evolution through visual and thematic consistency, employing colorful, youthful aesthetics like anime-inspired narratives and visuals to synchronize with the music's playful yet immersive energy.

Influences and evolution

Slushii's musical influences draw heavily from the (EDM) landscape, particularly the scene, where he found inspiration in producers like , with whom he formed a close friendship and collaborated on tracks such as "Twinbow" in 2017. Early support from , who touted him as a torch-carrier for the next generation of EDM artists, played a pivotal role in shaping his trajectory and encouraging his entry into the genre. These figures, alongside broader influences from the upbeat, bass-heavy sounds of pioneers, helped Slushii develop his signature helium-like vocal processing, a consistent element that emerged as a hallmark of his style. His creative process has been profoundly impacted by his Asperger's diagnosis, which presented challenges in social interactions during his youth but fostered a unique, introspective approach to music-making, allowing him to channel emotions and personal experiences into lyrics that emphasize themes of isolation, growth, and connection. This perspective drove Slushii's evolution from his early roots as a and songwriter in the psychedelic power-pop rock band Deuteronomy, where he contributed to their 2012 album The Propaganda of Deuteronomy, to fully immersing himself in electronic production after quitting the band at age 16 to pursue EDM independently. Post-2022, Slushii's style underwent significant reinvention, incorporating experiments under aliases like Dinner With Judy, where he explored glitchy, high-energy vocal manipulations and genre-blending elements in tracks released in 2025. This shift culminated in the 2025 album Chrysalis, a collaborative project with his alias sapientdream that integrates manga-inspired —tied to a sci-fi co-created with —resulting in genre-bending sounds that fuse electronic, pop, and narrative-driven introspection for a transformative, multiverse-like sonic experience.

Discography

Studio albums

Slushii's studio albums represent a progression from high-energy to more and experimental soundscapes, often exploring themes of emotion, dreams, and personal transformation. His debut full-length release marked a pivotal moment in his early career, transitioning from singles to a cohesive body of work that showcased his production versatility. Subsequent albums, particularly trilogy, delved into ambient and lo-fi influences under aliases like sapientdream, while later projects returned to bass-heavy roots with innovative twists. These works have been self-released or issued through labels like , emphasizing Slushii's independence and creative control.
Album TitleRelease DateTrack CountLabelKey Themes and Reception
Out of LightAugust 4, 201713Self-releasedEmotional introspection and future bass elements; praised as a strong debut blending uplifting melodies with personal storytelling, earning positive reviews for its heartfelt production.
DreamDecember 14, 201816Self-releasedDreamlike motifs and chill downtempo vibes; received acclaim for its introspective, ambient tracks that offered a softer contrast to Slushii's high-energy style, highlighting his evolution toward emotional depth.
Dream IINovember 22, 201917Self-released (as sapientdream)Continuation of dreamlike soundscapes with lo-fi hip-hop influences; noted for enhancing the trilogy's narrative through moody, melodic compositions, with critics appreciating its cohesive sequel quality.
Dream IIISeptember 18, 202017Self-released (as Slushii & sapientdream)Culmination of the trilogy focusing on ethereal, alternative R&B-tinged motifs; lauded for completing the emotional arc with immersive, genre-blending tracks that emphasized vulnerability and growth.
E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event)March 3, 202214MonstercatExperimental dubstep and trap with apocalyptic undertones; celebrated as a bold return after a hiatus, featuring high-impact drops and collaborations that revitalized Slushii's bass music presence.
A Slushii SummerSeptember 23, 202215Dim Mak RecordsCompilation of upbeat summer singles blending future bass and EDM; released as part of a weekly single campaign, marking a prolific period post-E.L.E. and showcasing collaborative energy.
ChrysalisJuly 11, 202518SONICdream (self-released as Slushii & sapientdream)Transformation and manga-inspired narratives with eclectic electronic fusions; hailed for its four-year development process, blending visual storytelling and emotive sound design in a genre-defying manner.
The trilogy, spanning 2018 to 2020, stands out for its unified thematic exploration of subconscious realms, utilizing ambient textures and subtle builds to create immersive listening experiences that resonated with fans seeking respite from mainstream EDM. In contrast, E.L.E. introduced heavier, experimental elements like distorted synths and rapid tempo shifts, reflecting Slushii's reinvention amid industry changes. Chrysalis further pushes boundaries by incorporating aesthetics into its conceptual framework, resulting in a visually and sonically rich project that underscores his maturation as a multimedia artist.

Extended plays and singles

Slushii's extended plays represent pivotal moments in his discography, showcasing his evolution from early future bass experiments to genre-blending reinventions. His debut EP, Brain Freeze (2016), marked his initial foray into professional releases as a self-released project featuring seven tracks that blended dubstep, future bass, and trap elements, serving as a foundational showcase of his playful, high-energy sound. Later EPs like Watch Yo Back (2019, Monstercat) and Operation: Overload (2025) further highlighted his growth, with the latter comprising eight tracks that explored dubstep, future bass, EDM, ambient, and hip-hop influences, positioning it as a bold return following a creative hiatus. Overall, Slushii has released three EPs alongside over 16 singles, contributing to streaming milestones such as exceeding 750 million total Spotify streams across his catalog. Key singles have often propelled career breakthroughs, with "Emptiness" (2016) serving as his debut and lead track that introduced his signature melodic style, amassing millions of streams and establishing his breakthrough presence in the EDM scene. "Catch Me" (2017) followed as an independent single that emphasized uplifting drops, reinforcing his rising popularity through viral plays. The collaboration "Twinbow" with (2017) fused their styles in a high-octane trap track, peaking at notable chart positions on electronic music platforms and highlighting Slushii's ability to co-produce with major artists. In the 2020s, singles like "All I Need" (2020, feat. Aviella) became a cornerstone, serving as the soundtrack for Rocket League's intro and achieving over 52 million Spotify streams as Slushii's most-streamed original track to date, underscoring his mainstream gaming crossover impact. More recently, "It's Not Over (Til It's Over)" (2025) led the Operation: Overload EP with its anthemic EDM build-ups, signaling a refreshed creative phase. "Past Lives" (2023, with sapientdream) exploded virally, inspiring the sci-fi webcomic Sapient Dream on , where it integrates as a thematic soundtrack episode by episode.
Extended PlayRelease YearLabelTracksNotable Context
Brain Freeze2016Self-released7Debut project blending genres; foundational for early fanbase.
Watch Yo Back20195Monstercat debut EP; aggressive bass-heavy tracks.
Operation: Overload2025Independent8Post-hiatus reinvention; genre-spanning evolution.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.