Diplo (producer)

Diplo
Diplo in 2014
Background information
Birth name	Thomas Wesley Pentz
Also known as	Diplodocus Wes Gully
Born	(1978-11-10) November 10, 1978 (age 38) Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres	EDM
Occupation(s)	DJ record producer rapper singer songwriter record executive
Years active	1997–present
Labels	Mad Decent Atlantic
Associated acts	Major Lazer M.I.A. Jack Ü Tinie Tempah Justin Bieber Skrillex Switch FKi Madonna Beyoncé Riff Raff DJ Snake MØ DJ Fresh R. City Selah Sue Craig David
Website	diplo.com

Thomas Wesley Pentz (born November 10, 1978), better known by his stage name Diplo, is an American DJ, record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter and record executive based in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-creator and lead member of the electronic dancehall music project, Major Lazer, and along with producer and DJ Skrillex, formed the electronic duo Jack Ü. He founded and manages record company Mad Decent, as well as co-founding the non-profit organization Heaps Decent. Among other jobs, he has worked as a schoolteacher in Philadelphia. His 2013 EP Revolution debuted at number 68 on the US Billboard 200. The song was later featured in a commercial for Hyundai and is featured on the WWE 2K16 soundtrack.

During his rise to fame, Diplo worked with British musician M.I.A., an artist who is credited with giving him exposure in his early career. Later, he and fellow M.I.A. producer Switch created a Jamaican dancehall project and cartoon series titled Major Lazer. Since then, Diplo has worked on production and mixtape projects with many other pop artists, such as Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., Die Antwoord, Tinie Tempah, Britney Spears, Madonna, Shakira, Banda Uó, Beyoncé, No Doubt, Justin Bieber, Usher, Wale, Big Sean, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Ellie Goulding, MØ, Sean Paul and G-Dragon. His alias, short for Diplodocus, derives from his childhood fascination with dinosaurs. Diplo co-produced tracks on Rebel Heart, Lemonade and Purpose.