Diplo

Biography

Thomas Wesley Pentz, known professionally as Diplo, is an American DJ, songwriter, and record producer born on November 10, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi. His stage name, short for Diplodocus, stems from a childhood fascination with dinosaurs. He spent much of his youth in Miami, where he was influenced by the local Miami bass music scene. Diplo began his DJ career while attending Temple University in Philadelphia.

Career Beginnings and M.I.A. Collaboration

In the early 2000s, Diplo gained recognition in Philadelphia for his DJ sets and mixtapes. A significant turning point in his career came through his collaboration with British musician M.I.A. He co-produced her 2004 mixtape, "Piracy Funds Terrorism, Vol. 1," and later the Grammy-nominated hit single "Paper Planes," which brought him mainstream attention. This collaboration helped establish him as a sought-after producer.

Major Lazer

In 2008, Diplo and fellow DJ Switch formed the electronic music project Major Lazer. Their debut album, "Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do," was released in 2009. Switch left the project in 2011, and was replaced by Jillionaire and Walshy Fire. Major Lazer is known for its fusion of genres, including dancehall, reggae, and EDM. The group has released several successful albums, including "Peace is the Mission," and has collaborated with numerous artists such as Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Snoop Dogg.

Solo Work and Other Projects

Jack Ü

Diplo formed the duo Jack Ü with Skrillex. They released their debut album in 2015, which included the Grammy-winning single "Where Are Ü Now?" featuring Justin Bieber.

Silk City

Another collaborative project, Silk City, was formed with Mark Ronson. They are known for the Grammy-winning track "Electricity" with Dua Lipa.

LSD

Diplo is also a member of the supergroup LSD, alongside Sia and Labrinth.

Solo Productions and Country Music

As a solo producer, Diplo has worked with a wide array of major artists, including Madonna, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd. In recent years, he has also explored country music under his birth name, Thomas Wesley, releasing an album in 2020.

Mad Decent

In 2006, Diplo founded his own record label, Mad Decent. The label has been instrumental in promoting various genres like Brazilian baile funk and moombahton. Mad Decent has released music from artists such as Baauer, Dillon Francis, and Gucci Mane. The label is also known for its annual "Mad Decent Block Party" concert series.

Personal Life

Diplo has three sons. He has two sons, Lockett and Lazer, with his ex-girlfriend Kathryn Lockhart. He has another son, Pace, with model Jevon King.