Lean On — Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ
Former most-streamed song on Spotify — a genre-defying global phenomenon
Diplo
Thomas Wesley Pentz
88
Heat Score
2004
Active Since
US
Los Angeles
3x
Grammy Winner
🎧 Biography
The most versatile producer in music history
Diplo, born Thomas Wesley Pentz on November 10, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi — the same small city that gave the world Elvis Presley — is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and influential music producers of his generation. His journey from the American South to the summit of global electronic music is one of the most remarkable stories in modern music. After growing up moving between Mississippi and Florida, Diplo immersed himself in Miami's bass music, hip-hop, and Caribbean music scenes, absorbing the sounds of dancehall, reggae, and baile funk that would become the foundation of his genre-defying career. His 2004 debut album "Florida" showcased this eclectic palette, but it was his production work on M.I.A.'s iconic single "Paper Planes" that brought him to international attention and signaled the arrival of a producer who thought far beyond the borders of any single genre.
In 2009, Diplo launched Major Lazer, originally with British producer Switch (later joined by Jillionaire and Walshy Fire), a project that would become one of the most important vehicles for bringing Caribbean and global sounds to mainstream Western audiences. Major Lazer's fusion of EDM, dancehall, reggae, soca, and Afrobeats created an entirely new sonic template that influenced countless artists and producers. The project's biggest moment came in 2015 with "Lean On" (co-produced with DJ Snake and featuring MØ), which became the most-streamed song on Spotify at the time and proved that music rooted in the Global South could dominate the Global North. That same year, Diplo co-created Jack Ü with Skrillex, and their track "Where Are Ü Now" featuring Justin Bieber won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, while also catapulting Bieber's career revival and helping define the tropical house sound that would dominate pop music for years.
What makes Diplo truly singular is the sheer breadth of his creative output. Beyond Major Lazer and Jack Ü, he formed the supergroup LSD with Sia and Labrinth, producing a critically acclaimed album of psychedelic pop. He has produced tracks for Beyoncé (contributing to her Grammy-winning album "Lemonade"), Madonna, Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, and dozens of other artists across every imaginable genre. In 2019, he launched the "Thomas Wesley" project, releasing country music under his birth name and collaborating with Nashville artists — an audacious move that surprised the music world but showcased his genuine love for the music of his Southern roots. His own label, Mad Decent (founded in 2005), has been instrumental in breaking new artists and bringing global sounds to Western audiences, while the legendary Mad Decent Block Party touring festival became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2010s. Diplo's influence extends far beyond his own discography; he has fundamentally changed what is possible in popular music by proving that genre boundaries are artificial constructs waiting to be demolished.
🎶 Best Sets
The most iconic Diplo and Major Lazer performances and music videos
Where Are Ü Now — Jack Ü ft. Justin Bieber
Grammy-winning track that redefined pop and electronic music collaboration
Get Free — Major Lazer ft. Amber Coffman
Beloved fan favorite showcasing Major Lazer's emotional, melodic side
Revolution
High-energy anthem that captures Diplo's genre-bending festival sound
🎪 Concert Timeline
Key milestones in Diplo's career and live performances
2004
"Florida" Debut Album & M.I.A. "Paper Planes" Production
Diplo released his debut album "Florida," a groundbreaking mix of Southern hip-hop, baile funk, and electronic music that established his genre-defying approach. Around the same time, he began working with Sri Lankan-British artist M.I.A., co-producing her debut album "Arular" and contributing to what would become her signature sound. His production on M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" (2007) brought him massive international recognition, with the track reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a cultural touchstone.
2009
Launched Major Lazer Project
Diplo created Major Lazer with British producer Switch, releasing the debut album "Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do." The project was conceived as a vehicle for dancehall, reggae, and Caribbean-influenced electronic music, featuring a fictional Jamaican commando character. The project brought Diplo to Jamaica regularly, deepening his connection to dancehall culture and establishing Major Lazer as one of the most innovative and culturally adventurous acts in electronic music.
2012
Mad Decent Block Party Tours
The Mad Decent Block Party touring festival, organized through Diplo's label, became a cultural phenomenon in the American electronic music scene. The series of outdoor events brought together EDM, hip-hop, dancehall, and global bass artists in an accessible, community-oriented festival format. The Block Party tours helped break numerous artists and established Mad Decent as one of the most influential independent labels in dance music.
2015
Jack Ü with Skrillex + "Where Are Ü Now" & "Lean On"
2015 was a landmark year for Diplo. He and Skrillex released the Jack Ü EP, featuring "Where Are Ü Now" with Justin Bieber, which won the Grammy for Best Dance Recording and helped launch Bieber's career reinvention. Simultaneously, Major Lazer and DJ Snake released "Lean On" featuring MØ, which became the most-streamed song on Spotify. Diplo was at the center of two of the year's biggest musical moments, cementing his status as the most in-demand producer in the world.
2015
"Lean On" — Global Hit
"Lean On" with Major Lazer, DJ Snake, and MØ became a global phenomenon, breaking streaming records and proving that music rooted in Caribbean and South Asian influences could dominate Western pop charts. The track's music video, shot in India, accumulated billions of views and became a visual icon of the genre-blending movement that Diplo had championed for over a decade. It was the culmination of years of cultural bridge-building.
2019
"Thomas Wesley" Country Project
In a move that surprised the music world, Diplo launched the "Thomas Wesley" project, releasing country music under his birth name. The project featured collaborations with Nashville artists and showcased Diplo's genuine love for the music of his Southern roots, having been born in Tupelo, Mississippi. The debut single "Heartless" with Morgan Wallen reached the top of the country charts, proving that Diplo could master any genre he set his mind to and that his ear for hits transcended all musical boundaries.
2020
LSD with Sia Project
The LSD supergroup, consisting of Diplo, Sia, and Labrinth, released their debut album "Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD." The project showcased a psychedelic pop sound that was unlike anything in any of the three artists' individual catalogs, featuring lush production, Sia's powerful vocals, and Labrinth's experimental arrangements. The album received critical acclaim and demonstrated yet another dimension of Diplo's seemingly limitless creative range.
2023
Still Producing Across Genres
Diplo continued to operate at the highest levels of multiple music worlds simultaneously, producing for major artists across genres, headlining festivals worldwide, running Mad Decent, and constantly pushing into new sonic territory. His ability to remain relevant and innovative across more than two decades in an industry that constantly chases the new is a testament to his unparalleled musical curiosity and work ethic. He remains one of the most prolific and sought-after producers on the planet.
🌎 Lifestyle
Where Diplo lives, parties, travels, and how he stays creative
Where He Lives
Diplo is based in Los Angeles, California, where he has a home that doubles as a creative hub and studio space. LA serves as the perfect base for his constant flow of collaborations with artists across the music industry. His home reflects his eclectic taste, filled with art and artifacts from his travels around the world. He has three children and, despite his relentless touring schedule, makes a point of spending quality time at home between runs of shows.
Where He Parties
Diplo is a fixture at festivals and clubs worldwide.
- Major festivals worldwide — Coachella, Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza
- Las Vegas clubs — XS Nightclub, Wynn residency
- Ibiza — Regular summer appearances
- Mad Decent Block Party events — His own festival series
- Burning Man — Known for surprise DJ sets
Where He Travels
Diplo is one of the most well-traveled artists in the world, constantly seeking new sounds and cultures.
- Jamaica — Dancehall roots & Major Lazer
- India — "Lean On" video, touring
- Brazil — Baile funk influence
- Cuba — Cultural music projects
- Africa — Afrobeats collaborations
- Nashville — Thomas Wesley country project
Active Lifestyle
Diplo is known for his extremely active lifestyle that helps him sustain the demands of constant touring and production. He is a passionate surfer, frequently hitting the waves in LA, Hawaii, and wherever his travels take him near an ocean. He is also dedicated to fitness, sharing workout routines and athletic adventures on social media. His high-energy lifestyle is reflected in his high-energy live performances, and he credits physical activity with keeping his creative mind sharp.
Social Media & Content
Diplo is one of the most active and entertaining artists on social media, with millions of followers across Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. He is known for his constant content creation — sharing everything from studio sessions and festival moments to surfing clips, food adventures, and irreverent humor. His social media presence is as eclectic and unpredictable as his music, blending high-profile industry moments with candid, everyday life content that makes him one of the most relatable stars in electronic music.
Personal Life
Diplo is a father of three children and has spoken openly about the importance of family in his life. Despite his globe-trotting schedule and seemingly endless creative output, he prioritizes being present for his kids. He is outspoken on social media about a wide range of topics and is known for his direct, unfiltered communication style. His personal life reflects the same boundary-crossing, convention-defying approach that defines his music.
🎬 Behind the Scenes
Studio sessions, documentaries, and the creative process of Diplo
Major Lazer — The Global Sound
How Diplo built Major Lazer into one of the most culturally significant projects in electronic music
Jack Ü — The Making of a Supergroup
Inside the creative chemistry between Diplo and Skrillex that produced a Grammy-winning collaboration
🎧 Related DJs
If you like Diplo, check out these artists
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Everything fans want to know about Diplo
Major Lazer is an electronic music project created by Diplo in 2008, originally with British producer Switch. The lineup later evolved to include Jillionaire and Walshy Fire alongside Diplo. Named after a fictional Jamaican commando character, Major Lazer became one of the biggest and most culturally influential acts in electronic music, known for blending EDM with dancehall, reggae, soca, and global sounds. Their biggest hits include "Lean On" (with DJ Snake and MØ), "Cold Water" (with Justin Bieber and MØ), "Light It Up," and "Powerful" (with Ellie Goulding). The project was hugely influential in bringing Caribbean and Global South sounds to mainstream Western audiences and inspired an animated series on FXX.
Jack Ü was a DJ supergroup consisting of Diplo and Skrillex, active from approximately 2013 to 2016. The duo released the EP "Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü" in 2015, which included the massive hit "Where Are Ü Now" featuring Justin Bieber. The track won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2016 and played a pivotal role in Bieber's career revival, while also helping to define the tropical house and future bass sound that would dominate pop music. Jack Ü became one of the most in-demand live acts in electronic music, headlining major festivals and delivering famously high-energy, genre-blending sets that combined Diplo's global bass sensibilities with Skrillex's dubstep and bass music expertise.
Diplo is widely considered one of the most versatile producers in the entire history of popular music. He actively produces across an astonishing range of genres including EDM, dancehall, moombahton, trap, hip-hop, pop, country (under his "Thomas Wesley" alias), baile funk, reggae, soca, Afrobeats, psychedelic pop (with LSD), and more. He has produced for artists spanning virtually every genre imaginable, from Beyoncé, Madonna, and Usher to Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, and Morgan Wallen. His ability to move seamlessly between musical worlds and deliver authentic, chart-topping results in each one is unmatched. There is arguably no single genre he has not touched or influenced in some meaningful way.
Mad Decent is a record label founded by Diplo in 2005, based in Los Angeles, California. The label has been instrumental in breaking new artists and introducing global sounds to Western audiences, releasing music from artists like Major Lazer, Baauer (whose "Harlem Shake" went viral), Dillon Francis, DJ Snake (early releases), Riff Raff, and many others. Mad Decent also organized the legendary "Mad Decent Block Party" touring festival, which ran from 2008 to 2017 and became a cultural phenomenon in the American electronic music scene, bringing together EDM, hip-hop, dancehall, and global bass artists in free or low-cost outdoor events. The label's eclectic roster and adventurous A&R philosophy reflected Diplo's own genre-defying musical vision.
Yes, Diplo (Thomas Wesley Pentz) was indeed born on November 10, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi — famously the same small city where Elvis Presley was born. He grew up moving around the American South, spending significant time in Miami, Florida, where he was heavily influenced by the city's bass music, hip-hop, and Caribbean music scenes. His Southern roots eventually came full circle when he launched the "Thomas Wesley" country music project in 2019, using his birth name and collaborating with Nashville artists including Morgan Wallen. The connection between his Mississippi origins and his global, genre-defying career is one of the most fascinating narratives in modern music.