Diplo tells Billboard what he really thinks about EDM

[Cupe]

If you haven’t been to one of his personal shows, Major Lazer shows, a block party, or Holy Ship, you have definitely at least heard a track produced by this random white dude: Diplo.

He’s undeniably one of many hard working and creative individuals in the music scene right now, and he’s only getting better with age. Sitting on the ripe median of his 30′s, he’s already known for a label, a movement, an infinite amount of successful songs, and he’s even mastered the art of brushing off the haters. He’s been getting a lot of, excuse the french, shit lately from the P.L.U.R. kiddies and has been facing scrutiny in regards to the banning issues. Despite all of the drama, he’s made it very clear that he’s here for one thing and one thing only: the music. Billboard had a sit down with Mr. Pentz and talked about everything from his salary to his up and coming work. What was the most intriguing about it all, was how effortlessly Diplo brought up a topic that should be touched on a lot more in the electronic dance music community.

“[People in the rave culture] don’t even care about the music anymore, it’s about the experience and hearing things that are really familiar and comfortable over and over again…All the DJs were at my Vegas night one night–I’m not going to name names, but all the big EDM guys–and I played a Juicy J record; they were like, ‘Where do you get these records?’ I’m like, ‘They’re on the radio! You can buy them off iTunes!’…”

Of course it seems laughable to expect every EDM producer and DJ to know exactly who Young Thug, Travis Scott, GoldLink, or Makonnen is, but Diplo explains it more as expanding the horizons or at least wanting to: “They really have no idea. They live in these bubbles. I’m like, ‘Damn, dudes, use your imagination a little bit.’…A lot of DJs don’t realize they’re here today and gone tomorrow.” While we can admit, it may not seem as easy to delve into the “urban world” as it is with say the big room or house world, we do know all it takes is an eager mind and the Internet.

Whether Diplo is right or wrong for calling anybody out, he does bring up a topic that should be taken into consideration a lot more, especially when we’re dealing with heavily influential artists who have a tight grip on what their followers can listen and be exposed to. Don’t worry though, this interview wasn’t all shade; he gets into a lot more that you can check out on the Billboard website.

[BeatLeSS]

This guy seems to know whats up. Lot of respect for him. Not that I follow his tunes or anything.

[LabRat]

Perth is a pretty good example of what he's saying. People here don't like to stray from what's common, hence the mainstream clubs all playing the same shit

[eggssell]

ive been following diplo and mad decent for a minit now. it was mainly remixes back in the day. but he has produced some good shit too. not sure if it was the blaqstarr collab or the santogold album remix that got me totally signed on. but yeh his full album style remixes for m.i.a. and la roux are also the shiz

he is actually a very good dj too.