One of the most influential taste makers in the past decade, Wesley Pentz aka Diplo has cemented his position in the music industry with his out of the box production and song writing skills. Pentz grew in the persisting underground scene and went on to produce for M.I.A during his early beginnings and hasn’t looked back ever since. Be it producing for some of the biggest rappers and pop stars or creating individual hits for himself or work as super groups with Major Lazer and Jack Ü and if that felt less, then to head one of the most recognized labels in the bass music scene, Mad Decent.
In a recent interview with New York Times, Diplo delivered his honest opinions on a variety of topics including his multiple Grammy nominations, his track “Lean On” getting the award snub and much more. Talking about what he felt like when he received the news for his nomination and half jokingly said that he would be looking to win so that he can throw the best after party. Here’s something on a serious note-
“I’m just happy to be able to go back to the Grammys so I can attend all the parties afterwards and get lots of good Instagram photos. I was hoping we’d get nominated for the dance category. This was such a rad year for music. The record of the year and song of the year categories have so many dope songs.”
Diplo also reflected on the disappointment for the major hit “Lean On” not getting the heads up but was thankful for his Jack Ü collaboration picking up a nomination,
“I just wish “Lean On” got nominated. It had the most streams of the whole year — of any song ever existing in the history of music. But whatever, maybe next year. Our song doesn’t exist in any genre. We’re just an act that doesn’t make any sense for record or song of the year. We couldn’t even be nominated for reggae, because we’re just too weird. It doesn’t fit anywhere else, so we kind of cursed ourselves with a massive song. But I’m happy to have “Where Are Ü Now” nominated.”
He also justified why a non-conventional track like “Where Are U Now” which featured Justin Bieber ended up as a massive radio hit and got recognized.
“We’re only nominated in dance categories and I think we’re definitely the best stuff in that world. We were trying to expand ourselves out of dance into something for the future. All these periphery categories, it just matters that you try to do something that’s louder than that genre.”
Expressing his desire to win the Producer of the Year Award, he stated it as his ultimate dream who is up against other producers Jeff Bhasker, Dave Cobb, Larry Klein and Blake Mills for the title.
“Hopefully I win it. My dream is to win that award. As a producer, I’ve just been growing every year and I’ve been doing it on my own terms. I’ve never been an industry producer; I’m on the outside looking in.”
Funnily he said that he would stop producing if he doesn’t win but will make sure to make his Snapchat go pop. I’m sure we guys wouldn’t want that to happen anytime soon.
“Just that if I don’t win, I’m going to be really depressed and stop making music. Whatever. I just want to go and just get my Snapchat popping that night and I’ll be happy.”
You can check out the full interview here.
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