When it comes to creating music, surroundings and places play a crucial role. Something similar happened with American DJ and music producer Thomas Wesley Pentz, popularly known as Diplo. Most of us know him for hits like Lean On, Welcome To The Party, and Midnight Ride. Recently, he shared on his social media that his experiences in India played a key role in shaping his musical identity. Scroll down to know more!
American DJ Diplo’s Musical Journey
In his social media post, American DJ and music producer Thomas Wesley Pentz mentioned that DJing is like a journey. A good DJ set should not only make you feel happy or emotional but also make you curious. It should help you discover new sounds and ideas you didn’t know before.
However, did you know that he got into DJing in an unusual way? At first, he wanted to make hip-hop music but realised he wasn’t very good at it. So he started DJing instead, looping samples and making beats with simple machines and Gemini turntables.
In the beginning, he got inspiration from vinyl records in old record shops. Later, he found music in unexpected places—like an old warehouse in West Philadelphia, a flea market in New Jersey, a second-hand store in San Juan, or even a small junk shop in New Delhi. Over time, he understood that the real source of music wasn’t just the vinyl records. It was the places where the music was made, the energy of a city, and the spirit of its past. He says this is exactly what he experienced in India.
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Diplo’s Ganga River Lesson
Diplo travelled through India at the age of 20, long before his fame. He had little money but an unending curiosity. He bought a second-hand Royal Enfield motorcycle and explored Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh. Slow travel let him experience life and music at a ground level, far beyond typical tourist paths.
After nearly a month on the road, Diplo reached Rishikesh. He had no money, was hungry, and slept on the floor of a yoga studio, with only his bike for company. This was decades after The Beatles had visited the town. Many Westerners had come to Rishikesh for yoga and spirituality, but Diplo was not one of them. He was there for records, cheap beer, and adventure. He describes himself as an explorer, not a spiritual seeker. He jokes that he dropped out of cultural anthropology and once dreamed of working for National Geographic, yet knew nothing about yoga.
One memorable adventure involved the Ganga River. A friend dared him to float down it. They wore hiking boots to avoid hitting rocks, but Diplo quickly learned the river has its own rules. It moves you wherever it wants, and the boots dragged him down.
It’s nice to see well-known global personalities admire Indian places.
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/ diplo