Sid Wilson’s position in Slipknot remains uncertain after reports claimed the band had dismissed its longtime DJ, turntablist and keyboardist. Wilson, known by his stage number “#0,” joined the Iowa metal group in 1998 and has performed on every Slipknot studio album.
TMZ first reported on July 31, 2026, that Wilson had been informed of the decision that Friday afternoon. A follow-up report published on August 3 attributed the alleged dismissal to concerns about how he treated other band members.
Neither Slipknot nor Wilson has publicly confirmed the departure. No specific incident, complaint or contractual dispute has been disclosed, making the exact circumstances impossible to establish independently.
Why was Sid Wilson reportedly fired?
According to TMZ’s updated report, unnamed sources claimed that dissatisfaction with Wilson had been building for some time. They described the decision as long-planned rather than a sudden response to one recent event.
The sources did not explain what the alleged treatment involved or identify which members were affected. The account should therefore be treated as an unverified explanation, not an official reason supplied by the group.
Slipknot was reportedly preparing to announce Wilson’s departure during the week beginning August 3. The earlier disclosure allegedly frustrated the band because it disrupted plans to release the information on its own schedule.
Wilson was later approached while entering a recording studio in Los Angeles. He did not answer when asked whether he had been removed from Slipknot.
Jim Root asks fans to wait
Slipknot guitarist James “Jim” Root appeared to question the certainty surrounding the reports in an Instagram Stories post. He advised people not to believe everything they encountered online and suggested waiting for more information.
Root did not mention Wilson by name or directly address his membership. His message leaves open the possibility that parts of the story are incomplete, but it cannot be considered a formal denial.
Kelly Osbourne, Wilson’s former fiancée and the mother of their son Sidney, posted separate messages on August 3 about accountability, healing and protecting her child. She did not name Wilson or connect her comments to Slipknot, so there is no verified basis for treating the couple’s relationship difficulties as a reason for the reported band decision.
Wilson helped shape Slipknot’s early sound
Slipknot formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995. Wilson joined three years later, before the recording and 1999 release of the band’s self-titled major-label debut. He became part of the famous nine-member lineup that established Slipknot internationally.
His work combines turntables, samples, keyboards and electronic effects. These elements brought hip-hop, rave and industrial textures to the group’s dense mix of guitars, drums and percussion.
Wilson’s scratching on tracks including “Eyeless” became a recognisable part of Slipknot’s early identity. Away from the band, he has performed and released music under the name DJ Starscream.
Fans following other major metal acts can check the confirmed Lamb of God and Trivium Australia tour dates, including the five announced cities.
Slipknot has continued through earlier departures
The group has experienced several major lineup changes. Bassist Paul Gray died in 2010, drummer Joey Jordison left in 2013, percussionist Chris Fehn departed in 2019, and sampler Craig Jones exited in 2023.
Drummer Jay Weinberg was dismissed later in 2023. Former Sepultura drummer Eloy Casagrande subsequently joined Slipknot and made his first appearance with the band in 2024.
If Wilson’s exit is confirmed, Corey Taylor, Shawn “Clown” Crahan, Mick Thomson and Jim Root would remain from the lineup associated with the 1999 album.
The wider live-music calendar continues to develop, with the Wildlands Festival 2026 lineup confirming performers and dates for Brisbane and Perth.
No replacement has been announced
Slipknot has not identified a replacement or explained how Wilson’s established samples and turntable parts would be handled at future performances. Reproducing his role would require more than operating equipment because the electronic elements are closely integrated with the band’s live arrangements and visual production.
A new permanent member, a touring musician or a redistribution of the electronic work are possible options, but the band has not confirmed any of them. Until Slipknot or Wilson releases an on-record statement, the accurate description is that he has reportedly been removed, with his official status and the precise reason still unresolved.
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