Mark Ronson has revealed that he considered quitting DJing during the pandemic, fearing it might be time to 'bow out gracefully'. The superproducer, known for hits including Uptown Funk and his work with Amy Winehouse, said he wondered if the lockdown was a sign to move on from a career spanning 27 years.
Speaking from his New York studio, Ronson described how the pandemic forced him to reflect on his career. After three months alone in a London Airbnb, he found his creative output worsening, leading him to consider a 'new phase' as a music commentator rather than a producer.
The 45-year-old has credited regular therapy with helping him become 'a more stable, balanced, less anxious person'. He recommends David D Burns' book The Feeling Good Handbook for exercises to combat negative thought spirals, saying: 'You play out the realistic scenarios of what happens: if your song does not become a hit, your life is not over.'
Ronson's latest projects include the Apple TV+ documentary series Watch the Sound and a new interview podcast for the Fader magazine, marking a shift in focus after decades of producing chart-topping tracks. His work with Winehouse on Back to Black and their cover of Valerie remains defining, while Uptown Funk with Bruno Mars became a global phenomenon.
Despite his successes, Ronson continues to grapple with existential anxiety, something he says has been present since childhood. He recently became engaged to actor Grace Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep.
