Jade Cicada is an electronic producer and artist on the rise, creating his own unique universe through dynamic and psychedelic soundscapes and visuals. An East Coast native, Jade Cicada (born Skyler Alecson) blends influences from the offbeat pocket grooves of ‘90s hip-hop pioneers with the innovative sound architects of the left-field bass music scene, crafting a one-of-a-kind sound and experience that has captivated a new generation of electronic music fans.

Skyler’s love for music began with his father, a pianist, vocal director, music teacher, and his first mentor. His father’s passion for music sparked Skyler’s own deep-rooted enthusiasm, with classical training that started at a young age. Tragically, he lost his father to cancer at the age of ten. This loss left Skyler devastated, and he struggled with anxiety, depression, and academic challenges as a result. While attending a remedial private high school, he found solace in a basic music production course, channeling his love for hip-hop beats into early experiments. This reignited his passion and curiosity for music for the first time since his father’s passing.

Skyler was later accepted into Berklee College of Music, where he pushed his musical abilities to the limit. He revisited his classical roots, delved into jazz theory, and ultimately honed his interest in music production, graduating with a major in Electronic Production & Design.

Jade Cicada was a name gifted to him by his late grandmother, one of his earliest and most steadfast supporters of his musical dreams. Shortly before graduating from Berklee and embarking on his music career, his grandmother passed away, leaving him a jade cicada as a parting gift. “I kept repeating the name to myself,” he recalls. “I thought, I’ll use that as a way to honor her.”

In 2015, Jade Cicada received his big break when he was recognized by Tipper, a legend in the trip-hop and experimental bass music scene. Moving from a longtime fan to opening for Tipper’s own Tipper & Friends Festival in Florida put Jade Cicada on the map, motivating him to release his first EP the following year and continue experimenting with his original sound.

Jade Cicada’s music is glitchy trip-hop – sometimes downtempo and ambient, and other times whomping and bass-heavy – but always experimental. His work is deeply inspired by pioneers of ‘90s hip-hop such as MF DOOM, J Dilla, and Madlib. “What hip-hop is, in an old-school sense, is an appreciation of all music,” he shares. “They sampled records from things people had never heard before and reimagined those sounds in a new way.” These influences permeate his own out-of-the-box productions, from J Dilla’s groundbreaking timing experiments to the intricate layers of MF DOOM’s lyricism. Fans can revisit his tracks time and again, discovering new details with each listen.

Welcoming 2025, Jade Cicada prepares to release his four-track Lunar Fade EP on January 10th. This EP marks a new era for Jade Cicada, showcasing growth in sound and technical prowess. It is his first collection created with the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software Bitwig. “This EP is what the software inspired me to make,” he explains. Across its four tracks, Jade Cicada demonstrates his expert touch. The slow-burning build of the title track, “Lunar Fade,” crescendos into a powerful release, while tracks like “Goober Time” and “Froggy Style” display playful plug-in and synthesizer experimentation. “With my last album, Pressure Gamut, the idea was to create a wall of sound and be everything all at once,” he reflects. “On this EP, I’m giving each sound its own space and room, letting them dance with each other and breathe.”

On stage, Jade Cicada’s visuals are a focal point of his electrifying performances, taking the audience through a kaleidoscope of movement and colors. Choosing to remove his own identity from the experience, the live show becomes a fully immersive journey. He has previously sold out Mission Ballroom in Denver, Colorado, and headlined festivals such as Secret Dreams and Evolutions Festival. In 2025, Jade Cicada will launch into the new year with his Break the Hold North American tour, appearances at Lightning in a Bottle and Electric Forest, and more exciting projects on the horizon.