Diplo

DJ and producer; the visionary behind Major Lazer, Diplo. 

    Born Thomas Wesley Pentz in Tupelo, Mississippi, Diplo spent most of his youth in South Florida. He initially aspired to become a paleontologist but ended up studying film, eventually earning his undergraduate degree from Temple University in 2003. To support himself, Diplo took on various jobs: social worker, after-school mentor, movie theater employee, and occasional DJ.

Starting out in the music industry's fringes, Diplo's blend of '80s pop, electronica, Dirty South hip-hop, and his primary influence, Miami bass music, created a sound that resonated with many. 

In 2004, Diplo made a remarkable solo debut with the release of his album "Florida," which demonstrated a clear departure from the mashed-up vocals and beats that had characterized his earlier work. Prior to this, he had been involved in dynamic collaborations, including Hollertronix with DJ Low Budget, and the 2004 Piracy Funds Terrorism, Vol. 1 mixtape alongside British-Sri Lankan MC M.I.A. These projects left a lasting impact on the alternative electro-pop scene, earning rave reviews from music critics and indie enthusiasts.

Diplo continued to push boundaries in the music industry with his unique blend of diverse genres and influences. In 2009, he and DJ Switch created Major Lazer, a fictional Jamaican bounty hunter, which later became a music project. His collaboration with Skrillex on the album Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü, as well as his work with Madonna on her release Rebel Heart, only further cemented his reputation as a leading figure in the music industry.

His record label, Mad Decent, showcased a unique mix of pop, hip-hop, and dance music, while his conceptual Major Lazer project combined dancehall with rave culture, touring the world as a live-party sound system. By the late 2010s, his high-profile projects with Skrillex (Jack Ü) and Mark Ronson (Silk City) both received Grammy awards for collaborations with Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa, respectively. Diplo also partnered with Labrinth and Sia to form the supergroup LSD.

As he moved into the 2020s, Diplo's musical repertoire expanded to include country-flavored singles under the moniker Thomas Wesley and ambient music with the album MMXX. He also continued producing house tracks, releasing a self-titled full-length album in 2022, which included collaborations with Paul Woolford, Miguel, Aluna, and Jungle.

In 2023, Diplo returned to his country alter ego, Thomas Wesley, releasing Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2--Swamp Savant. This six-song mini-LP features artists such as Paul Cauthen, Lily Rose, Morgan Wade, Sturgill Simpson, and Koe Wetzel. F