44.4 F
Oxford

Diplo-matic DJ

Diplo
Tupelo-born Diplo is a worldwide DJ phenomenon.

Mississippi-born Diplo is changing the music world

By Drew Carter, Junior, International Studies at the Croft Institute, University of Mississippi
jac3238@gmail.com
Although Tupelo, Mississippi, is not Diplo’s claimed hometown, Tupelo was the birthplace of Thomas Wesley Pentz in November of 1978. Since 1978, Pentz has revolutionized the role of producers in electronic, indie, and hip-hop music under the moniker Diplo.
Diplo and his family moved around to several different regions across the South during his childhood. Jazz, blues, hip-hop and indie in New Orleans inspired Diplo at an early age. He frequents New Orleans for not only inspiration and motivation but also for exposure to a unique facet of American culture.
After attending the University of Central Florida in the late 1990s, Diplo transferred to Temple University in Philadelphia, where he received fame as a DJ. Together, DJ Low Budget and DJ Diplo started performing at different parties at various clubs under the moniker “Hooked on Hollerphonix.” The local fame spurred into regional success after the release of a few singles and a mixtape. Diplo was invited to play different shows at various London nightclubs. While in London, he met some of the biggest up-and-coming artists in the electronic genre, including M.I.A., a pop/hip-hop sensation from Sri Lanka.
Hooked On Hollerphonix plunged Diplo into the forefront of the inevitable uprising in electronic music. Diplo proved to be a pioneer after the success of his first major production, M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” in the early 2000s. “Paper Planes” rode the Billboard Charts at a stealthy peak at No. 4 and also garnered Diplo and M.I.A. a Grammy nomination.
The success of “Paper Planes” took Diplo on the Arular international tour with M.I.A., where Diplo began the majority of his musical adventures.

Major Lazer

Riding the wave of his success, Diplo began experimenting with different sounds and genres. His love for traditional reggae and Caribbean big beat music inspired him to collaborate without DJ Switch in a project called “Major Lazer” in 2009. Major Lazer is known for experimentation in the genres moombathon (mixture of dubstep, reggae, and electro house music), reggae fusion and dancehall. Switch has since left the collective.
Major Lazer is a Jamaican-inspired entity which has been identified with a cartoon image of a tall, buff revolutionary from the Caribbean who carries a microphone belt and wears black sunglasses with a beret. The character concept of Major Lazer is a hit with fans and is the subject of a new television show to be aired on Adult Swim on Cartoon Network.
The Major Lazer persona is accompanied by club bangers and groovy beats. The singles “Jah No Partial,” “Get Free,” and “Pon De Floor” are the best indicators for Major Lazer’s vision.

Local Color

Travel and local color are two elements that distinguish Diplo from other DJs and producers. Diplo is a major advocate for expression of local musical culture. From his roots in the South, his favorite projects have included jazz, classic rock, and Southern hip-hop, and various genres from the Caribbean.
Diplo is not unfamiliar to cinematography either. Each visual to Diplo and Major Lazer’s projects accentuates trendy and artistic elements with an edgy appeal. Diplo’s 2012 singles “About That Life” and “Express Yourself” encompass Diplo’s visuals for his musical creations and also exemplify his artistic capacities.
Diplo’s alias as Major Lazer also has similarly creative visuals for singles. Diplo does not feature himself in any Major Lazer video but often makes short cameos. The cartoon character Major Lazer is also a re-occurring theme in various music videos, such as the beautiful, chill, 2012 single, “Get Free” featuring Brooklyn native, Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors.
Now, Diplo is working full time producing and managing his record label, Mad Decent Records, based out of Philadelphia and Los Angeles, with more than 30 acts signed. He has projects with each member of the label and often incorporates their work into his own. Mad Decent is attributed with introducing the genres Brazilian baile funk and Angolan kuduro to an international audience.
Now in his early 30s, Diplo resides in Jamaica, where he is working on a new Major Lazer album and subsequently producing the Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg) album. Diplo has worked with a number big names in the music industry from Bruno Mars to No Doubt and South African sensation Die Antwoord, to the Latin beauty Shakira. He also works with small-name local artists, which often leads them to international notoriety.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com