Deadmau5 had some selection phrases for digital producer 3lau, in response to social media posts from the latter artist about enjoying an inaugural ball for President Trump earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, 3lau (pronounced “blau”) posted photos and video of the occasion alongside an Instagram caption studying that “five days ago [President Trump’s] team reached out cause they needed a DJ for inauguration afters. Playing Starlight Ball was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I mean wow, what an honor. I was so nervous, and only got to play for 30 min but holy ****. Achievement unlocked.”
On X (previously Twitter), the producer shared the identical photos and video and wrote “Yesterday was a huge leap forward for crypto !!! It was an honor to be a small part of it DJing the @POTUS afters ;)”
Born Justin Blau, the producer has launched digital music as 3LAU since 2013. He can also be a well-established tech advocate and investor. In 2021, he launched Royal, a blockchain-based platform for investing in music rights.
“The timing is crazy,” 3lau’s Instagram caption continues. “I know I’ve been quiet for a long time, mainly because 2025 is gonna be the biggest year yet – for both my music and Royal.”
The feedback part of his inauguration day submit — presently the one submit on the 3lau grid — is a blended bag of suggestions, with Deadmau5 among the many hundreds of commenters on Instagram.
The Canadian producer pointedly wrote, “Here’s the best takeaway, not a single person in that entire dumb— administration has ever known who the f— you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest sh– about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalize the very people who gave you a platform. What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal, enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.”
In response, 3lau wrote Friday (Jan. 24) on X that since enjoying the ball, “I’ve acquired backlash from a number of distinguished members of the music neighborhood. While I anticipated some pushback, the depth of the response has been far larger than I anticipated.
“A matter of fact: I am a proud American,” the assertion continues. “The freedoms now we have on this nation make it attainable for me to pursue my passions—whether or not as a founder, a CEO, or a musician. My pleasure shouldn’t be used as a vessel for different folks’s anger. This is strictly the habits that has divided us. I’m unwavering in my choice to focus my music and my work on issues that proceed to push our nation ahead. This won’t at all times align with a single get together, however progress comes from working collectively, not in opposition to one another.
“I believe firmly in both free speech and the acceleration of tech innovation. These principles have been integral to my identity. I also see crypto and blockchain technology as monumental forces essential to our future as a nation—forces that the previous administration opposed. This administration favors many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice. And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy.”
