History of Diplo in Timeline
Thomas Wesley Pentz, professionally known as Diplo, is a prominent American DJ and music producer. He's a key figure in several successful music projects, including Major Lazer, LSD (with Labrinth and Sia), Jack Ü (with Skrillex), and Silk City (with Mark Ronson). Diplo founded the record label Mad Decent in 2006 and the non-profit organization Heaps Decent in 2007. His 2013 EP, Revolution, reached number 68 on the Billboard 200 and its title track gained further recognition through a Hyundai commercial and inclusion in the WWE 2K16 soundtrack.
November 10, 1978: Thomas Wesley Pentz's Birth
On November 10, 1978, Thomas Wesley Pentz, known as Diplo, was born. He is an American DJ and music producer.
1997: Attended University of Central Florida
In 1997, Diplo began attending the University of Central Florida (UCF) and became a DJ at WPRK.
2003: Hooked on Hollertronix Parties
In 2003, Diplo and Low Budget started throwing "Hooked on Hollertronix" parties in Philadelphia, gaining acclaim for their mixtapes.
2004: Meeting M.I.A.
In 2004, M.I.A. approached Diplo after hearing one of his songs at the Fabric Club in London, leading to a collaboration.
2005: Continued Collaboration with M.I.A.
Diplo continued to work with M.I.A. in 2005, meeting London DJ Switch through her.
2005: Arular Tour
In 2005, Diplo was the tour DJ on M.I.A.'s Arular Tour.
2005: Mad Decent Foundation
Since its foundation in 2005 Diplo's Mad Decent label has released music by various artists.
2006: Founded Mad Decent
In 2006, Diplo founded the record company Mad Decent.
2008: Production of Paper Planes
In 2008, Diplo produced M.I.A.'s breakout single "Paper Planes," gaining mainstream exposure.
September 2009: China Show with Steve Aoki
In September 2009, Diplo traveled to China to play with Steve Aoki at a show organized by Split Works.
April 2010: Rolling Stone Feature
In the April 2010 issue of Rolling Stone, Diplo was touted as one of '40 Reasons to be Excited About Music'.
2010: Lazers Never Die EP
In 2010, Major Lazer released an EP, Lazers Never Die.
2011: Formation of Major Lazer
In 2011, Diplo and Switch formed Major Lazer, an electronic musical group, and its cartoon series.
2011: Switch leaves Major Lazer
In 2011, Switch left Major Lazer and was replaced by DJs Jillionaire and Walshy Fire.
November 2012: Free the Universe Delay
In November 2012, the release of Major Lazer's second album, Free the Universe, was delayed.
February 2013: Free the Universe Delay
In February 2013, the release of Major Lazer's second album, Free the Universe, was delayed.
September 15, 2013: Jack Ü Debut Performance
On September 15, 2013, Jack Ü, composed of Skrillex and Diplo, debuted at the Mad Decent Block Party in San Diego.
2013: Revolution EP Debut
In 2013, Diplo's extended play (EP), Revolution, debuted at number 68 on the US Billboard 200.
2013: Track "Revolution" used in Bernie Sanders' ad
In 2013, Diplo's track "Revolution" was used to soundtrack Bernie Sanders' political ad, "It's A Revolution".
October 4, 2014: "Take Ü There" Release
On October 4, 2014, "Take Ü There" featuring Kiesza was released as the lead single on the duo's debut album.
2014: Created mix for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
In 2014, Diplo created a mix for the FIFA World Cup, showcasing his support for soccer and the U.S. men's national team.
December 31, 2014: Jack Ü at Madison Square Garden
On December 31, 2014, Jack Ü sold out Madison Square Garden for a major performance.
February 8, 2015: Peace Is the Mission Album Details
On February 8, 2015, Diplo revealed details of the third Major Lazer album, Peace Is the Mission.
February 27, 2015: Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü Release
On February 27, 2015, Skrillex and Diplo released Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü.
March 29, 2015: Jack Ü at Ultra Music Festival
On March 29, 2015, Jack Ü closed the main stage at Ultra Music Festival in Miami.
June 1, 2015: Powerful Release
On June 1, 2015, the second single, "Powerful", featuring Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley, was released simultaneously with the album.
October 16, 2015: Be Right There Release
On October 16, 2015, Diplo released "Be Right There" with Sleepy Tom, which charted in multiple countries.
November 11, 2015: Lean On Most Streamed Song
On November 11, 2015, "Lean On" became Spotify's Most Streamed Song of All Time.
2015: M.I.A. Interview
In 2015, M.I.A. stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that Diplo resented her rise to fame in 2005.
January 27, 2016: Purchased minority share of Phoenix Rising FC
On January 27, 2016, Diplo purchased a minority share of Phoenix Rising FC of the USL Championship, demonstrating his interest in soccer.
February 2016: Performed in Islamabad, Pakistan
In February 2016, Diplo performed in Islamabad, Pakistan, alongside other artists, making him one of the first mainstream Western artists to perform there.
February 24, 2016: Endorsed Bernie Sanders
On February 24, 2016, Diplo endorsed Bernie Sanders as the Democratic presidential nominee.
April 23, 2016: Lemonade Album Release
On April 23, 2016, Beyoncé released her album, Lemonade, which featured Diplo producing two tracks.
June 8, 2016: Lemonade Certified Platinum
On June 8, 2016, Beyoncé's Lemonade was certified platinum.
June 9, 2016: Featured on the cover of Billboard magazine
On June 9, 2016, Diplo was featured on the cover of Billboard magazine.
July 14, 2016: Blame Release
On July 14, 2016, Diplo collaborated with Zeds Dead on the release "Blame", featuring Elliphant.
July 22, 2016: Cold Water Release
On July 22, 2016, Major Lazer released "Cold Water" with Justin Bieber and MØ.
November 29, 2016: My Number Release
On November 29, 2016, Major Lazer and Bad Royale released "My Number", sampling Toots and the Maytals.
2016: Nominated for two Grammy's
In 2016, Diplo received two Grammy nominations (The 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards) for Album of the Year, recognizing his work as a producer on Beyoncé's album Lemonade and Justin Bieber's album Purpose.
2016: Grammy Awards for Jack Ü
In 2016, Jack Ü won two Grammy Awards for Best Dance Album and Best Dance Recording.
2016: Performed with Major Lazer and Jack Ü on numerous live TV and award shows
Throughout 2016, Diplo performed with Major Lazer and Jack Ü on numerous live TV and award shows, including The Tonight Show and the 2016 Grammy Awards.
January 2017: Released music video titled "Waist Time"
In January 2017, Diplo and Autoerotique released a music video titled "Waist Time", which was filmed in a warehouse in London.
January 2, 2018: Silk City Announcement
On January 2, 2018, Diplo announced Silk City with Mark Ronson.
May 23, 2018: Only Can Get Better Release
On May 23, 2018, Silk City released "Only Can Get Better" featuring Daniel Merriweather.
July 20, 2018: Feel About You Release
On July 20, 2018, Silk City released "Feel About You" featuring Mapei.
September 5, 2018: Electricity Release
On September 5, 2018, Silk City released "Electricity" featuring Dua Lipa.
2018: Began sharing explicit images and videos of Jane Doe
In 2018, Diplo began allegedly sharing explicit images and videos of their sexual encounters of Jane Doe.
2018: Produced 2018 World Cup official song
In 2018, Diplo produced the official song "Live It Up" for the FIFA World Cup.
2018: Returned with Major Lazer for Islamabad's first Mad Decent Block Party
In 2018, Diplo returned with Major Lazer for Islamabad's first Mad Decent Block Party, alongside various other artists.
March 2019: Allegedly raped woman in Las Vegas
In March 2019, Diplo allegedly raped a 22-year-old woman in a Las Vegas hotel room after chatting with her on Twitter for five years. She later filed suit, claiming he gave her an STD and recorded sexually explicit videos of her without consent.
April 12, 2019: LSD Album Release
On April 12, 2019, LSD (Labrinth, Sia & Diplo) released their debut album Labrinth, Sia & Diplo Present... LSD.
May 1, 2019: Live-streamed Joe Jonas' wedding
On May 1, 2019, Diplo live-streamed Joe Jonas' Las Vegas wedding to Sophie Turner on Instagram without realizing it was a private ceremony, which led to a public response and later a song titled "Lonely".
2019: Released "So Long" under Thomas Wesley moniker
In 2019, Diplo, under the moniker Thomas Wesley, released the song "So Long" featuring country singer Cam, signaling a planned series of collaborations with country artists.
July 9, 2020: Joined virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden's campaign
On July 9, 2020, Diplo joined Senator Kamala Harris and other artists for the "Get Up, Stand Up!" virtual fundraiser in support of Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.
October 2020: Sued for rape
In October 2020, an anonymous woman filed a lawsuit against Diplo for rape, alleging that he gave her an STD and recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her consent, to which Diplo responded by filing a restraining order, claiming harassment and stalking.
2020: Released Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil
In 2020, Diplo released the album Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil, which included the song "Heartless" featuring Morgan Wallen.
2021: Resigned from BBC Radio 1
In 2021, Diplo resigned from BBC Radio 1 / 1Xtra where he hosted the 'Diplo and Friends' show.
March 14, 2023: Shared "I don't want to define that I'm gay but I think the best answer that I have is I'm not, not gay" in an interview with Emily Ratajkowski
On March 14, 2023, Diplo discussed his sexual orientation in an interview with Emily Ratajkowski, stating, "I don't want to define that I'm gay but I think the best answer that I have is I'm not, not gay".
August 2023: Escaped Burning Man festival on foot
In August 2023, Diplo attended and played from a hot air balloon at the Burning Man festival. After a rainstorm turned the festival grounds into a mud pit, Diplo escaped on foot and hitchhiked out with comedian Chris Rock.
October 2023: Jane Doe discovered Diplo was sharing explicit materials without her consent
In October 2023, Jane Doe discovered that Diplo was allegedly continuing to share explicit images and videos of their sexual encounters without her consent.
November 7, 2023: Jane Doe reported Diplo to the NYPD
On November 7, 2023, Jane Doe reported the distribution of explicit materials to the New York Police Department, leading to an investigation and a warrant for Diplo's arrest.
November 2023: Accused of sexual coercion by Azealia Banks
In November 2023, Azealia Banks accused Diplo of sexually coercing her when she was 17 in exchange for music, alleging he withheld tracks and engaged in sexual misconduct towards other women.
June 27, 2024: New lawsuit filed against Diplo for distributing revenge porn
On June 27, 2024, a new lawsuit was filed against Diplo by a woman identified as Jane Doe, accusing him of distributing revenge porn, alleging non-consensual sharing of explicit images and videos.
October 2024: "Lean On" Views
As of October 2024, the official video for "Lean On" has more than 3.6 billion views.
