Diplo and Mark Ronson are
Diplo and Mark Ronson are set to collaborate on a full-fledged disco album. In a wide-ranging and already controversial interview with GQ, Thomas Wesley Pentz revealed his connection with Ronson. The British DJ played at a house party which Diplo had attended while residing in Philadelphia, and they also shared a mutual connection through a school in the city. Inspired by his collaboration with Skrillex, Jack Ü, Diplo discussed creating a throwback disco album with Ronson.
Ronson is an ideal pick for this genre, having crafted the funk-pop for Bruno Mars after navigating from hip hip to even soul music in the past. Diplo walks a tightrope between commercial appeal and creativity: he actively explores world music and alternative sounds yet experiences phenomenal success both on his own and with his group Major Lazer, courting pop superstars like Justin Bieber and Madonna.
Arguably, that success is consequence to the deft balance he maintains between artistic integrity and commercial featured vocalists, explaining that being a superstar DJ was never his intention, but he “just fell into it.” The GQ interview sparked an intense reaction on social media, with Rihanna‘s “Navy” fanbase coming to the singers defense after Diplo lamented her disinterest toward his requests for her vocals on now-iconic tracks like ‘Lean On‘.
Elsewhere in the interview, he expressed discomfort with the new Vice television show based on his life.
