Joel Zimmerman

Early Life

Joel Thomas Zimmerman, known professionally as Deadmau5, was born on January 5, 1981, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a creative household, his mother was a visual artist and his father worked at a General Motors plant. From a young age, Zimmerman showed a keen interest in technology, often disassembling household electronics. His passion for music began with chiptune, inspired by video games, and he started attending raves as a teenager. The name "Deadmau5" originated from an incident where he found a dead mouse inside his computer, leading to a nickname that stuck after a failed attempt to register "Deadmouse" online.

Career

Zimmerman's music career took off in the late 1990s, heavily influenced by chiptune and the demoscene. He began producing music with Impulse Tracker and released his debut album, "Get Scraped," in 2005. Over the years, he has released numerous albums, including "Random Album Title" and "4×4=12," and has collaborated with various artists. Known for his distinctive "mau5head" helmet, Deadmau5 has become a prominent figure in electronic dance music, earning seven Grammy nominations and four Juno Awards. His label, mau5trap, has been instrumental in launching the careers of other artists, including Skrillex.

Personal Life

In his personal life, Zimmerman has had high-profile relationships, including a brief engagement to tattoo artist Kat Von D. He married Kelly Fedoni in 2017, but they separated amicably in 2021. Outside of music, he is an animal lover, owning several cats and a small farm in Ontario. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, notably raising $7.8 million for charity through a collaboration with Tim Hortons. Additionally, he hosts a series called "Coffee Run," where he chats with fellow producers while enjoying coffee.