Historical Figure
Diplo
b. 1975
American DJ and music producer (born 1978)
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Biography
Thomas Wesley Pentz, known professionally as Diplo, is an American DJ and music producer. He gained recognition in 2008 with his single "Blow Your Head". He is a co-creator and lead member of the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer; a member of the supergroup LSD, with Labrinth and Sia; a member of electronic duo Jack Ü, with producer and DJ Skrillex; and a member of Silk City, with Mark Ronson. He founded the record company Mad Decent in 2006 and the nonprofit organization Heaps Decent in 2007. His 2013 extended play (EP) Revolution debuted at number 68 on the US Billboard 200. Its title track was later featured in a Hyundai commercial and appears on the WWE 2K16 soundtrack.
Timeline
The story of Diplo, told in moments.
Born Thomas Wesley Pentz in Tupelo, Mississippi. Grew up in South Florida. He started DJing while studying film at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Produced M.I.A.'s breakout single "Paper Planes." The two were also dating. The track sampled The Clash and became one of the most recognizable songs of the decade.
Co-founded Major Lazer with Switch, blending EDM with Jamaican dancehall and Caribbean rhythms. Their music helped popularize a genre sometimes called ReggaeEDM.
Formed Jack U with Skrillex. Their single "Where Are U Now" with Justin Bieber won a Grammy. Major Lazer's "Lean On" became one of the most-streamed songs in Spotify history.
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