An Idiot’s Guide to Diplo

Why is he called Diplo?

Short for diplodocus, a long-necked sauropod, the stage name of Diplo nods to his interest in the dinosaurs as a child.

Where did he come from?

After growing up in Florida, Diplo threw parties in Philadelphia in the early aughts with DJ Lowbudget as Hooked on Hollertronix. Parties gave way to mixtapes, with one, 2003’s Never Scared, ranking ninth on that year’s New York Times top-albums-and-songs list.

Does he have any actual albums?

There’s only one original Diplo studio album: 2004’s Florida, which Spin found to be “relatively tepid” and gave a B-minus.

Has he won any awards?

Diplo has won three Grammys out of nine nominations: two for his Jack Ü work with Skrillex, plus one this year for a Silk City collaboration with Mark Ronson and Dua Lipa, “Electricity.” Why does he matter?

Some of the heavy hitters Diplo has worked with include M.I.A., Sia, Beyoncé, Madonna, Drake, Lil Wayne, Robyn, Snoop Dogg, and Usher. He has been rumored to be a main collaborator on Lady Gaga’s sixth album for years.