Summary
- Labrinth posted a blunt, expletive-filled Instagram message on March 13 declaring he is “done with this industry,” directing sharp words at both Columbia Records and HBO’s Euphoria.
- The post arrived exactly one month before Euphoria Season 3 premieres on April 12, and just days after he attended a Balenciaga show in Paris where creator Sam Levinson teased new footage.
- No explanation was given for the outburst; neither HBO, Columbia Records, nor Labrinth’s representatives have publicly commented.
On Thursday night (March 12, 2026), British composer and singer Labrinth, born Timothy Lee McKenzie, posted a screenshot of his Notes app on Instagram, sending his fanbase into a full meltdown. The text read, “I’M DONE WITH THIS INDUSTRY. FUCK COLUMBIA. DOUBLE FUCK EUPHORIA. I’M OUT. THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT X.” No caption. No context. No press release. Just chaos, served cold with an “x” at the end, as the British do.
The timing couldn’t be more pointed. Labrinth’s declaration came exactly a month before Euphoria Season 3 is set to return on HBO after a four-year hiatus. Nothing says “farewell tour” quite like a public meltdown 30 days before the premiere.
For the uninitiated: Labrinth isn’t just some guy who made a few playlists for the show. He has provided the score to Sam Levinson’s hit teen drama — which kickstarted the careers of Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi — since its first season in 2019. He won an Emmy for it. He co-wrote “All For Us” with Zendaya. He is, by most accounts, one of the primary reasons Euphoria feels like Euphoria. Which makes this particular grenade all the more jaw-dropping.
What’s especially wild is how enthusiastic Labrinth seemed just months ago. Last summer, it was confirmed that Hans Zimmer would be co-composing the third season alongside Labrinth. In a statement at the time, Labrinth said: “Another chapter in the Euphoria universe! So great to join Hans, one of my heroes in film score, and bring some new magic to this new season. Love x.”
From “Love x” to “Double F*** Euphoria” in under a year. Truly, a glow-down for the ages.
He did not add a caption or elaborate on the reasons behind his outburst. And that silence, naturally, has sent the internet into full detective mode.
Fans are already speculating about what might have happened behind the scenes, with some suggesting the dispute could be related to wages or credits. “He was working actively on it,” said one. “Season 3 comes out in less than a month. I guess they must have not wanted to pay him what they agreed or something along those lines.”
Another fan theory floating around online is even juicier: “I’m thinking either a personal fall out, maybe they used something of his they shouldn’t have, and/or he found out Columbia has been messing with his money.”
The Columbia Records callout is its own subplot worth unpacking. Labrinth is currently signed to Columbia Records, which released his latest album, Cosmic Opera Act 1, in January. The label hasn’t said a word publicly — which, honestly, tracks.
And if you’re wondering whether any of this drama registered with the Euphoria camp: a representative for HBO did not immediately respond to TheWrap‘s request for comment, and representatives for Labrinth, HBO, and Columbia Records did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment or clarity on the statement. The silence is deafening.
What makes this even harder to parse is the fact that Labrinth was just there — physically present in Euphoria‘s orbit days before the post. The musician was in attendance earlier this week at the Balenciaga 2026 Winter show in Paris, where Euphoria creator Sam Levinson teased footage from the show’s long-awaited third season. Whatever happened, it seemingly happened fast.
Fans, for their part, are done with anyone who might have wronged him. Some are threatening to boycott Euphoria Season 3 if he’s not involved. “Labrinth MADE Euphoria what it is,” wrote one on Reddit.
Here’s the kicker: despite his sudden announcement, Labrinth’s musical contributions to Season 3 remain intact. Fans will still hear his work when the show returns. So even if he’s done with the industry, the industry apparently isn’t done with his music.
Euphoria Season 3 premieres April 12 on HBO. Labrinth’s next move? Unclear. But whatever he does, he’ll probably score it beautifully — whether anyone pays him or not.
