Sid Wilson declined to answer questions about his reported firing from Slipknot when he was spotted entering a Los Angeles recording studio days after the claim first surfaced.
The longtime Slipknot DJ kept his head down as he walked toward the building with a friend, who smiled at the cameras and joked that they were “late for church.”
TMZ reported on July 31 that a source close to the band with direct knowledge said Wilson had been informed that afternoon that he was being permanently removed from Slipknot.
No reason was provided, and neither Wilson nor the band had confirmed the report as of August 3.
Wilson Entered a Recording Studio Without Answering
Wilson, 49, wore a black T-shirt, black pants and dark sunglasses as he approached the studio carrying a drink and a set of keys. When a photographer asked whether Slipknot had fired him, Wilson looked down and continued walking without responding.
His companion briefly addressed the cameras, saying, “We’re late for church,” before following him into the building. TMZ described the appearance as Wilson’s first public sighting since its report about his status with the band.
TMZ’s source claimed Wilson was notified late on July 31 that he had been permanently removed from Slipknot after approximately 28 years.
Jim Root Urged Fans to Wait for More Information
Slipknot guitarist Jim Root appeared to respond to the report through an Instagram Story posted shortly after it circulated. “Don’t believe everything you read,” Root wrote.
“Stop. Think. Maybe even wait until there’s more information. You’ll be glad you did.” He accompanied the message with Slipknot’s 2008 song “‘Til We Die.”
Slipknot’s official website had not published a statement about Wilson’s status by August 3. A January birthday post dedicated to him also remained online.
Wilson Joined Slipknot Before Its Breakthrough Album
Wilson joined Slipknot in 1998, shortly before the Iowa group recorded its self-titled major-label debut. Performing under the number zero, he became known for his turntable work, electronic textures, masks and highly physical stage performances.
Wilson contributed throughout the band’s studio catalog, including Slipknot, Iowa, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), All Hope Is Gone, .5: The Gray Chapter, We Are Not Your Kind and The End, So Far.
Percussionist Chris Fehn left in 2019, while sampler and keyboardist Craig Jones and drummer Jay Weinberg departed in 2023. Founding bassist Paul Gray died in 2010, and former drummer Joey Jordison died in 2021.
The current touring lineup also includes drummer Eloy Casagrande, bassist Alessandro Venturella and percussionist Michael Pfaff alongside Corey Taylor, Shawn “Clown” Crahan, Mick Thomson and Root. Outside Slipknot, Wilson has released electronic and hip-hop-influenced music under names including DJ Starscream and SID and has collaborated with artists such as The Bloody Beetroots.