Labrinth Announces On Instagram That He’s Quitting The Music Industry And Euphoria

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, in a shocking bombshell just weeks before Euphoria Season 3 premieres, visionary composer Labrinth has declared he’s done with the music industry and the HBO series that made his haunting score iconic.

The music world was rocked today, March 13, 2026, when British singer-songwriter, producer, and composer Labrinth (born Timothy Lee McKenzie) dropped a bombshell on Instagram: he’s walking away from the entertainment industry entirely.

In a raw, expletive-filled post that quickly went viral, Labrinth wrote:

“I’m done with this industry. F–k Columbia. Double f–k ‘Euphoria.’ I’m out. Thank you and good night x.”

The message directly targeted his label, Columbia Records, and the HBO series Euphoria, for which he created the iconic score and soundtrack across Seasons 1 and 2. This announcement lands just weeks (or about a month, per some reports) before Euphoria Season 3 is slated to premiere in April 2026, making the timing particularly explosive.

Labrinth in new Instagram post ahead of ‘Euphoria’ Season 3:

“IM DONE WITH THIS INDUSTRY
F*CK COLUMBIA
DOUBLE F*CK EUPHORIA
IM OUT
THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT X” pic.twitter.com/JbIWjo4rd0

— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 13, 2026

Labrinth’s Journey and Impact

Labrinth first burst onto the scene in the early 2010s with hits like “Beneath Your Beautiful” (with Emeli Sandé) and built a reputation as a genre-defying talent—blending pop, R&B, electronic, hip-hop, and orchestral elements into something cinematic and emotionally raw. He formed the supergroup LSD with Sia and Diplo, collaborated with heavyweights like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd, and even contributed to Disney projects like The Lion King.

But it was his work on Euphoria that catapulted him to global phenomenon status. Starting in 2019, Labrinth crafted the show’s signature sound: haunting choral arrangements, pulsing electronics, and soul-stirring ballads that perfectly mirrored the series’ themes of addiction, identity, trauma, and teenage chaos. Tracks like “All For Us” (featuring Zendaya), “I’m Tired,” “Mount Everest,” and “Forever” became inseparable from the show’s identity. His Season 1 score earned Emmy nominations (and a win for “All For Us”), and he returned for Season 2, further cementing his role as the sonic architect of Sam Levinson’s provocative drama.

Fans often credit Labrinth’s music with elevating Euphoria from teen soap to cultural touchstone. Without his ethereal, otherworldly compositions, many argue the series loses a huge part of its visceral power.

Euphoria: The Show That Defined a Generation (and Sparked Endless Debate)

Euphoria is an American psychological teen drama series created, written, and largely directed by Sam Levinson for HBO. Premiering in June 2019, it’s an adaptation of an Israeli series of the same name and has become one of the most talked-about shows of the 2020s. The series stars Zendaya as Rue Bennett, a queer teenage drug addict fresh out of rehab, who narrates much of the story while grappling with sobriety, mental health struggles (including bipolar disorder and anxiety), grief over her father’s death, and complex relationships—most notably her intense, romantic connection with Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), a transgender girl searching for belonging.

Set in the fictional California town of East Highland, the show follows a group of high school students navigating the brutal realities of adolescence in the social media age. Key characters include:

• Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), a volatile football star hiding deep insecurities and toxic behaviors.
• Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney), whose sexual history and insecurities lead to destructive choices.
• Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie), in a tumultuous, abusive relationship.
• Kat Hernandez (Barbie Ferreira, Seasons 1-2), exploring her sexuality and body image.
• Fezco (the late Angus Cloud), a drug dealer with a soft side who becomes entangled in Rue’s world.
• Others like Lexi Howard (Maude Apatow), Chris McKay (Algee Smith), and Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane).

The narrative dives unflinchingly into themes of addiction, trauma, identity, sexuality, intimacy, violence, and the pressures of modern teen life—often amplified by substance-fueled parties, online personas, and fractured families. Labrinth’s haunting, cinematic score—blending choral elements, electronic beats, and raw emotion—became synonymous with the show’s visceral, dreamlike aesthetic, turning tracks into cultural staples and earning critical acclaim, including Emmy wins.

The Controversies That Have Shadowed the Series

From its debut, Euphoria has been as polarizing as it is popular, frequently criticized for its graphic content and approach to heavy topics. Major flashpoints include:

• Excessive nudity and sexual content: Season 1 drew immediate backlash for frequent full-frontal nudity (including a notorious locker-room scene with dozens of penises) and explicit sex scenes involving teenage characters. Critics argued it felt gratuitous or exploitative, especially given the high school setting, while defenders praised it as bold and realistic for mature audiences.
• Portrayal of drug use and “glorification”: Organizations like D.A.R.E. accused the show of misleadingly depicting high school drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, and violence as widespread and normalized, potentially glamorizing destructive behaviors rather than serving as a cautionary tale.
• Aestheticizing trauma: Some reviewers noted that the show’s stunning visuals, glamorous styling, and theatrical soundtrack sometimes romanticize or sensationalize pain, addiction, and dysfunction—making heavy themes feel more like edgy entertainment than a stark warning, which could influence vulnerable viewers.
• Behind-the-scenes issues: Reports emerged of a allegedly toxic work environment during Season 2 filming, including claims of mistreatment of extras and crew (which HBO denied). Cast departures added fuel—Barbie Ferreira exited before Season 3 amid rumored creative differences with Levinson. Production delays (exacerbated by COVID, strikes, and other factors) pushed Season 3 to April 2026, with ongoing whispers of tensions involving Levinson’s direction and focus on other projects.
• Other flashpoints: An animated fantasy sex scene referencing real celebrities sparked outrage; cast members faced personal scrutiny; and later seasons drew criticism for character arcs (e.g., certain storylines feeling underdeveloped or villainizing).

Despite (or perhaps because of) these debates, Euphoria has amassed massive viewership, cultural impact, and awards—proving its raw exploration of youth in crisis resonates deeply, even as it divides audiences. For many, it’s a groundbreaking portrait of modern adolescence; for others, it’s too provocative or irresponsible. As Season 3 approaches, the show’s legacy remains as intense and contested as its soundtrack.

Recent Context and Possible Tensions

Labrinth has been open in interviews about the toll the industry takes—struggles with mental health, creative pressures, and the clash between artistic vision and commercial demands. His recent project, Cosmic Opera: Act I (released earlier in 2026 via Columbia), was framed as a deeply personal exploration of “internal chaos” and the darker sides of fame. Some earlier comments (including a 2025 Discord message hinting at Cosmic Opera being his final album and plans to “quit music”) suggested burnout had been building.

The pointed “double f–k Euphoria” stands out especially, given how intertwined his career became with the show. Speculation is swirling about behind-the-scenes issues—creative differences with Levinson, production delays that plagued Season 3, label pressures, or personal frustrations boiling over. Notably, HBO announced in 2025 that Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer would join Labrinth for Season 3’s score, which now raises questions about whether that collaboration will proceed or if the music direction shifts dramatically.

Fan and Industry Reactions

Social media erupted immediately. Fans expressed heartbreak:

• “The soul of the show just walked out.”
• “We waited 4 years just for the soundtrack to quit?”

Others questioned if it’s permanent or a dramatic vent (“He’s not done—he’ll pivot to indie or film scoring”). Skeptics pointed to his scheduled performances (like a 2026 Ravinia Festival slot) as evidence this might be frustration rather than a full retirement.

Industry insiders see it as a symptom of broader creator exhaustion in an era of endless content demands, streaming wars, and high-stakes TV production.

What Now?

Labrinth’s exit—if it holds—marks the end of an era for both his solo career and Euphoria’s musical identity. At 37, he’s achieved massive success, Emmy wins, and a legacy of boundary-pushing work. Whether this is a permanent goodbye, a hiatus for mental health, or leverage in negotiations remains unclear—no follow-up statements have clarified details yet.

For now, the post stands as a stark, emotional mic drop from one of modern music’s most innovative voices. Thank you for the soundtracks that defined a generation, Labrinth. Whatever comes next—whether silence, reinvention, or something entirely off-grid—we wish you peace.

The industry just got a little quieter.