Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo formed in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio, originally consisting of Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih. After Thomas and Salih departed in 2011, the group continued as a duo made up of Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun. The band gained international recognition for blending alternative rock, hip-hop, pop, and electronic elements, becoming widely known for hit singles such as “Stressed Out,” “Ride,” and “Heathens.” Their song “Stressed Out” earned them a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 59th Grammy Awards. After independently releasing Twenty One Pilots (2009) and Regional at Best (2011), the duo signed with Fueled by Ramen in 2012. Their major-label debut Vessel (2013) marked a turning point, becoming one of the first albums where every track achieved at least gold certification. Their breakthrough album Blurryface (2015) propelled them to mainstream success, making history as the first album with every song certified gold or higher by the RIAA. The album’s success placed Twenty One Pilots among legendary acts like The Beatles and Elvis Presley for chart achievements. The duo continued expanding their artistic and narrative scope with albums Trench (2018), Scaled and Icy (2021), Clancy (2024), and Breach (2025), developing a complex fictional universe centered around themes of identity, mental health, faith, and inner conflict. Known for their high-energy performances and genre-defying sound, Twenty One Pilots have earned 13 number-one songs on the Alternative Airplay chart, solidifying their status as one of the most influential alternative acts of the modern era.