DJ Datsik Returns After Sexual Assault Allegations and Fans Are Furious
For several years, Datsik, a Canadian DJ, was one of the biggest names in electronic dance music. That all changed in March 2018, when Datsik was dropped from Deckstar and Circle Talent Agency over allegations of sexual assault. After retreating from the public eye for over a year, the DJ has re-emerged via social media. Here’s the details behind these allegations and his attempts to rehabilitate his career.
Datsik dropped from management over sexual assault allegations
Datsik first became famous around ten years ago for remixes of songs by popular artists like Zedd, Lana Del Rey, the Wu-Tang Clan, and Diplo. As a dubstep artist, he was able to gain popularity around the time that dubstep became mainstream. Datsik released two critically acclaimed dubstep albums, Vitamin D and Let It Burn LP.
The salad days of his career ended in 2018. Magnetic Magazine reported that Datsik was accused of sexually assaulting multiple women. He reportedly also made several misogynistic jokes, some of which were about sexual assault. Deckstar and Circle Talent Agency severed ties with Datsik.
According to Billboard, Deckstar said “Although we lack concrete information to confirm or deny these allegations, the nature and volume of the accusations demand swift and decisive action. We have always held ourselves and clients to the highest standards and believe that at this time it is in the best interest of our company and staff to move on.”
Datsik defends himself
Datsik defended himself via social media, writing “There have been recent allegations against me for things I have not done. I am a vibe reader. I hand [sic] out with a ton of people after every show, and always keep a positive vibe. I would never bend anyone against their will and I mean that sh*t.”
For a while, it seemed that Datsik’s career was going to fall by the wayside given the severity of the allegations. However, on November 5, the musician posted a video to Facebook discussing his life following the allegations. Billboard reported that he said “I’ve been using this past year and a half to do some major soul searching and figure out how I can better myself and make smarter lifestyle choices moving forward.”
Datsik’s post ended with him saying “I will always look back at this past year and a half as the most important and the most difficult time of my life, because it provoked the largest growth and change I’ve ever undergone. At the end of the day, music is my life… it’s my heart, my soul, my passion, and my higher power. I can’t imagine a life without it.”
Fans react
In his statement, the DJ discusses dealing with depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. He makes no direct reference to any of the allegations levied against him. Many fans of EDM were upset by the post; they felt that Datsik was implicitly blaming any misconduct on his personal demons.
Autograf, another electronic musician, tweeted “Anyone else see Datsik press release? blames it on depression and anxiety but doesn’t even address what really happened. This is not what dance music is about.” Several commenters said that they would not be willing to buy or listen to his music given what he has allegedly done.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
