British composer and producer Labrinth has announced his departure from the entertainment industry in a forthright Instagram post, publicly distancing himself from HBO's acclaimed teen drama Euphoria and his record label Columbia Records. The musician, whose real name is Timothy Lee McKenzie, declared himself "done" with the business just weeks after releasing his latest album and ahead of the third season premiere of the show that brought him international recognition.

The sudden announcement

In a brief but pointed statement posted to Instagram on Thursday evening, Labrinth made clear his frustration with both his label and the series that defined much of his recent career. "I'm done with this industry. Fuck Columbia. Double fuck 'Euphoria.' I'm out. Thank you and good night x," he wrote, using unambiguous language to signal his dissatisfaction.

The timing of the post proved particularly striking, arriving just weeks after he released his latest album, Cosmic Opera: Act I, in January through Columbia Records. The announcement also came shortly before the premiere of Euphoria's third season, scheduled for April 12, marking a dramatic rupture with a project that has substantially defined his professional identity over the past five years.

A decade-long partnership with Euphoria

Labrinth's relationship with Euphoria began in 2019 when he was brought on as the lead composer for the HBO series' first season. The show, created by Sam Levinson, went on to become a cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi whilst establishing itself as one of the most discussed dramas in contemporary television.

The musician's contributions to the series proved instrumental to its distinctive aesthetic. His dark electronic and R&B-influenced compositions became synonymous with the show's visual style and emotional intensity, earning widespread critical acclaim. Beyond instrumental work, Labrinth also contributed original songs to the soundtrack, including "Mount Everest" and "All For Us," the latter featuring vocals from lead actor Zendaya.

His work on the series achieved significant recognition within the industry. "All For Us" won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, whilst the score itself received a nomination for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series. Another of his contributions, "Never Felt So Alone," which featured vocals from Billie Eilish, was nominated for a Grammy Award and accumulated millions of streams across streaming platforms.

Labrinth returned to score Euphoria's second season and made a notable appearance in the fourth season, performing the song "I'm Tired" during a drug-induced fantasy sequence experienced by Zendaya's character, Rue. His work became so integral to the show's identity that fans and critics frequently cited his contributions as central to the series' success.

Creative partnership and recent developments

In previous interviews, Labrinth had spoken positively about his working relationship with showrunner Sam Levinson, praising the creative freedom he received on the project. In a 2022 interview with Variety, he explained that Levinson's approach to collaboration was fundamentally different from what he experienced elsewhere in the music industry.

"The main approach with most of the music on the show is Sam is like, 'Lab, just make what the fuck you're making. Don't let no one get in the way of what you're making, just do what you do,'" Labrinth said at the time. He noted that this freedom from external pressure contrasted sharply with the commercial expectations often placed on musicians in the industry.

However, recent developments may have contributed to his apparent frustration. For the third season of Euphoria, HBO announced that legendary film composer Hans Zimmer would join Labrinth as a co-composer. At the time of that announcement, Labrinth released a statement expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration, calling it "another chapter in the 'Euphoria' universe" and describing Zimmer as "one of my heroes in film score."

The shift from sole composer to shared role potentially marked a significant change in his position on the project, though his public statement at the time suggested acceptance of the arrangement. The subsequent Instagram post, however, suggests his feelings may have evolved considerably in the intervening period.

Industry tensions and broader context

Labrinth's outburst appears to reflect broader frustrations with the entertainment industry rather than a single specific incident. His explicit criticism of Columbia Records suggests tensions with his label regarding creative control, artistic direction or contractual matters. The simultaneous criticism of Euphoria indicates discontent with the television project as well, despite his earlier positive public comments about working with Levinson.

The musician's statement resonated with his fanbase, with supporters flooding the comments section of his post. One follower wrote: "You totally made 'Euphoria.' Whatever it is just know I'm on your side." Fellow musician Skylar Grey added a message of encouragement, writing: "Please don't stop making music the world needs you."

Representatives for Labrinth, HBO, Columbia Records and Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson did not immediately provide comment or clarification regarding the statement, leaving the specific grievances that prompted the announcement unclear.

What comes next

The implications of Labrinth's statement remain uncertain. Whether the declaration represents a temporary expression of frustration or a genuine departure from professional work in entertainment remains to be seen. His recent album release and the imminent premiere of Euphoria's third season suggest that projects already in development will proceed regardless of his stated intentions.

The announcement does, however, signal a significant moment of rupture between one of contemporary television's most celebrated composers and the industry infrastructure that has supported his recent prominence. For a musician whose identity has become substantially intertwined with Euphoria's success, such a public break represents a dramatic shift in his relationship with both the show and the broader entertainment landscape.

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Labrinth's explosive social media statement marks a striking departure from the measured professionalism typically expected of artists at his level of prominence. Whether prompted by contractual disputes, creative differences or accumulated frustrations with industry practices, his declaration represents a significant moment of tension between an acclaimed creative talent and the commercial structures that have enabled his recent success. As Euphoria prepares for its third season premiere, the circumstances surrounding his statement will likely generate considerable speculation about the future of his involvement with the series and his broader career trajectory.