Learning how to DJ like Diplo is an admirable goal for any DJ, but it’s a process that takes time and dedication. Successful DJs and producers are not made overnight.
Diplo is more than just a DJ. He’s a music producer, rapper and songwriter, who also manages his own record company. Based out of Los Angeles, California, Diplo has worked with some of the industry’s biggest artists. His list of collaborators includes Justin Bieber, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, No Doubt and many others.
Although Diplo was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, he spent the majority of his youth in Miami. The influence of both cities can be still be felt in his music. Diplo manages to fuse a home grown rap feel with Miami bass party music. He first started to develop this style while he was a student at Temple University.
In college, Diplo met DJ Low Budget and the two started throwing recurring ‘Hooked on Hollertronix’ parties. These parties are how Diplo first started to get recognized. They gave him a platform to showcase his music, while simultaneously releasing mixtapes that would be heard around the world.
The ‘Hooked on Hollertronix’ parties eventually gave Diplo the opportunity to link up with English recording artist M.I.A. Diplo co-produced her Grammy nominated track ‘Paper Planes,’ which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100.
About his relationship with M.I.A, Diplo said, “She came through and she wanted to meet me 'cause she'd heard my single and the funk mix from one of her A&Rs and she just thought I was right up her alley…[We were both] film graduates, [listened to] all the same music when we were kids, were going in the same direction right now in music, it was amazing.”
‘Paper Planes’ took Diplo’s career to the next level. He went from being a relatively unknown DJ to a world-renowned producer. Diplo has seen success releasing music under the monikers of Major Lazer and Jack Ü. In 2013, Diplo was announced as one of the headliners at Ultra Music Festival.
During his performances, Diplo uses Serato DJ on a MacBook Pro, controlled by the standard issue CDJs and DJM. In the studio, he is known to use MIDI controllers and control surfaces, and, like most producers, he likes his speakers big and loud.
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