Dubstep DJ and producer Rusko has announced an indefinite break from music and touring to focus on his mental health.

The artist, whose real name is Chris Mercer, shared the news on Instagram on Saturday (18th July), writing: “When I first decided to call it a day on music and shows, I really wasn’t sure how, or even if, I wanted to share more publicly.”

“I dedicated all my life and spirit to being an artist, and have been travelling the world for over 20 years,” he continued. “I am so unbelievably lucky and grateful for every experience and the most amazing fans who have been alongside me. But it became clear I was having a breakdown mentally… and so needed to dip out the game for the foreseeable future.”

The Leeds-born DJ went on to apologise to fans, confirming that he would be unable to fulfil his upcoming live commitments.

“For now, I have to follow my instincts for healing and recovery,” he shared. “While I can’t guarantee any kind of return, I hope in my heart one day this is not goodbye, but more ‘see ya later, alligator’.”

You can read Rusko’s full statement below.

The announcement follows previous health challenges for Rusko, who stepped away from music in 2017 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. He returned later that year after confirming that his treatment had been successful and that he was cancer-free.

A key figure in the rise of UK dubstep, Rusko helped take the genre to a wider audience in the late 2000s through influential releases including ‘Cockney Thug’, his FabricLive.37 mix with Caspa, and his debut album ‘O.M.G.!’.

Rusko was recently interviewed by music writer and former DJ Mag features editor Lauren Martin as part of her forthcoming dubstep book, Aftershock.