Miami Connection
South Florida's colliding cultures profoundly shaped Diplo's eclectic sound, from Miami bass to baile funk and dancehall, as reflected in his debut album Florida and ongoing productions. He records extensively at Honor Roll Studio in Little Haiti, embedding the area's musical fabric into major releases. Diplo boosts Miami's nightlife and festival scene through performances at LIV, Mad Decent Block Parties, and SOBEWFF, while praising the thriving local dance culture.
About
Born Thomas Wesley Pentz in Mississippi and raised in Broward County and Miami, Diplo developed his production style immersed in Miami bass and local rap scenes during his youth. He launched his career as a party promoter and DJ in Philadelphia with the Hollertronix collective, releasing his debut album Florida in 2004, directly inspired by his home state. Breakthrough success came with his collaboration on M.I.A.'s 'Paper Planes,' earning a Grammy nomination and propelling him to global fame. He founded the influential Mad Decent label, champions diverse genres worldwide, and leads projects like Major Lazer, Jack Ü with Skrillex, and Silk City with Mark Ronson. Diplo maintains strong Miami ties, frequently recording at Honor Roll Studio in Little Haiti for releases like Apocalypse Soon and Peace Is the Mission. Today, he remains an active performer at iconic venues like LIV at Fontainebleau and participates in events like SOBEWFF.