Bass Drops and Bad Vibes: Artists Ditch Wasserman Music Agency
The Bass is Dropping... and So Are EVEN MORE Artists from Wasserman's Sinking Ship (Update Drop – Post-Sale Announcement Edition)
Listen up, my fellow bassheads, kandi kids, and PLUR warriors: Casey Wasserman finally hit the panic button last Friday (Feb 13) and announced he’s selling the whole damn agency. In a company-wide memo, he admitted he’s become a “distraction” (no shit, Sherlock) and is stepping back to focus on his LA 2028 Olympics gig while the process kicks off. Mike Watts is interim CEO, the website scrubbed its artist roster like it’s radioactive, and Providence Equity (the majority owner) is already prepping a full rebrand so the company can ditch Casey’s name forever. Classic damage-control move after the Epstein file bombshell turned the music division into a ghost town.
But here’s the glowstick-twirling plot twist, ravers: The exodus didn’t slow down just because he waved the white flag. If anything, the EDM and bass crew saw the “for sale” sign and said “nah, we’re out NOW.” They’re not waiting around for the shiny new name—they’re voting with their feet before the ink even dries. PLUR in full effect: zero tolerance, zero chill, protect the vibe at all costs.
Since the sale announcement dropped, here’s the fresh wave of artists who’ve officially bounced or gone public with their exit plans (even more electronic firepower joining the party):
John Summit – the guy who packs festivals worldwide – straight-up left, no hesitation. He does not not want to go back.
bbno$ – Canadian rap/electronic king – joined the walkout as one of the “latest” to drop Wasserman.
ODESZA – massive electronic duo – publicly called out the agency for failing to hold Casey Wasserman accountable and confirmed they’re gone. Their Line of Sight is clear.
REZZ– the hypnotizing Canadian bass queen – part of the EDM wave saying peace out.
Seven Lions – melodic bass legend who refuses to say a word to his legions of dedicated fans – added his name to the list. Read my epic and highly intense stan Blog on Jeff and his mysterious mystic ways.
Above & Beyond – Anjunabeats Legends have dipped so show me that finger! Push the button.
Of The Trees, ALLEYCVT, DJ Pressed – underground-to-mainstage bass and house acts who weren’t about to stick around.
Louis the Child – the duo who’ve been with their agent 10+ years – now “figuring out options” and clearly leaning out.
Add those to the earlier crew (Subtronics, Lane 8, Tape B, Levity, Mersiv, Daily Bread, Smoakland, Chappell Roan, Orville Peck, Weyes Blood, and the rest), and the music division is hemorrhaging talent faster than you can say “tight leather outfit.” Festival lineups are about to look VERY different this summer, and honestly? Good. The scene deserves better than shady connections.
Big names like SZA, Lorde, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Kendrick still haven’t said much (silence = complicity at this point?), but the indie, rising, and especially the electronic artists are the ones forcing real change.
Here is a shoutout to the queens and kings who lead the exodus before the announced sale:
Chappell Roan (the first major star to dip on Feb 9): “I hold my teams to the highest standards... Artists deserve representation that aligns with their values and supports their safety and dignity.” Iconic. Her festival sets are pure euphoria—now she’s protecting that energy. Updated flex: "This decision reflects my belief that meaningful change in our industry requires accountability and leadership that earns trust."
Subtronics Jesse Kardon straight-up said they have “no intention to stay” and called for Wasserman to “step the f–k down.” Bass music legend dropping truth bombs? Respect. Rave scene needs more of this zero-tolerance energy.
Lane 8 Daniel Goldstein (that dreamy deep house maestro who's graced stages like EDC and CRSSD): Announced via Instagram stories he's cutting ties—straightforward and no-nonsense, aligning with the wave of EDM artists bailing. Festival season just got a moral upgrade.
Tape B, Mersiv, Daily Bread, Smoakland—these bass and electronic heavy-hitters all dropped announcements on Instagram stories, joining the exodus with quick, resolute posts about distancing themselves. Mersiv's dubstep drops hit hard, but this move? Even harder. Daily Bread's soulful vibes now come with extra integrity.
Levity (rave circuit staples): Also via Instagram stories, confirming they're out—perfect timing as the EDM community rallies against this mess.
Billie Eilish (huge update—yes, that Billie): was one of the very first to cut ties with the agency way back in 2024 so she does not play with low life creatures.
Orville Peck, Weyes Blood, Sylvan Esso (who's been vocal AF), Gigi Perez, Chelsea Cutler, Bully, Hot Mulligan, Dropkick Murphys (who just said “we GONE” because “the namesake of the agency is in the Epstein files,” and they've been speaking out loud), Wednesday (officially bounced: "For the sake of his staff we hope that he steps down... but until that happens or we find a new home... we will not continue to be associated with Wasserman"), Beach Bunny (demanding he remove himself and his name: "Continuing to be represented by a company led by and named after Casey Wasserman goes against our values and cannot continue"), and more indie/alt heroes announced exits or started the extraction process.
Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast kicked it off with an open letter on Feb 5: “As an artist represented by Wasserman, I did not consent to having my name or my career tied to someone with this kind of association to exploitation. Staying quiet isn't something I can do in good conscience — especially in a moment when men in power are so often protected, excused, or allowed to move on without consequence.” Queen of calling for the ouster—paving the way for the wave.
Salute (that fire Austrian DJ who's all over the electronic scene): Dropped on X: "I'm looking to leave Wassermann btw, and if you're on their roster you should chat to your agent about doing the same." Rallying the troops? Yes, please—especially since Wasserman reps so many DJs and rave-adjacent acts.
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells: Not fully out yet, but her Instagram roast is gold: "Would I love to just leave Wasserman Music? Yes I would. Can we? No, because I love and respect our agent... The agents at Wasserman are not the villains." But she nails the bigger picture: "I’m not saying we’re powerless, but without systemic change and accountability for those at the highest levels of power, no meaningful change is going to occur." Preach—rave culture thrives on that kind of introspection.
Water From Your Eyes and others like them are piling on with statements, echoing the call for rebranding and accountability. The list keeps growing, folks.
In Conclusion
These aren’t just exits—they’re statements. Most shout out their hardworking agents and staff (solidarity with the crew caught in the crossfire), but draw a hard line: No more associating with Wasserman’s name or legacy. As Weyes Blood put it: “unequivocally clear: I will not remain with Wasserman.” Orville Peck echoed the compassion for the team while bouncing. This is artists using their platform for accountability in an industry that too often protects the powerful—especially timely in the electronic world, where Wasserman's grip on DJs could shake up festival lineups.
From the rave trenches, this hits different. We’ve seen how toxic power dynamics wreck scenes—predators at afters, exploitation behind the decks, burnout from unsafe spaces. PLUR isn’t just stickers; it’s rejecting anyone who flirts with the wrong crowd. These artists leaving? That’s the real drop—the one that shakes the foundation and makes room for better representation. Imagine agencies that actually prioritize artist safety, consent culture, and ethical leadership. With the agency repping so many in our vibe tribe, this could force real systemic shifts.
Big names like Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Lorde, and SZA still haven’t publicly weighed in (their silence is... loud), but the indie, rising, and electronic stars are leading the charge. If more follow—especially festival circuit staples—the dominoes could topple. Wasserman’s Olympics gig might stay safe for now, but in music? He's cooked.
Ravers, let’s amplify this: Support these artists at their next shows, stream their tracks, buy the merch. Share their statements. Demand better from the industry. Because if there’s one thing we know in the rave world, it’s this: When the bass drops, everything changes. And right now? The beat is calling for justice.
Stay safe out there, protect each other, and keep the good vibes only. Shoutout to the agents pushing for that buyout.
*Sources include the Artists Instagram Stories on February 11 and 12, 2026 and other disclosures across social media and major media outlets.