Diplo net worth is estimated to be around $70 million as of 2024. Diplo is an American DJ, music producer, and songwriter born on November 10, 1978. He’s famous for his work in electronic dance music. Diplo is a key figure in Major Lazer an electronic dancehall project and also part of the supergroup LSD with Sia and Labrinth. He’s one half of the duo Jack Ü with Skrillex and collaborates with Mark Ronson in Silk City.
He started the record label Mad Decent in 2006 and launched the non-profit Heaps Decent in 2007. His 2013 EP “Revolution” reached number 68 on the US Billboard 200 with its title track featured in a Hyundai ad and the WWE 2K16 game.
Diplo’s career took off when he worked with British artist M.I.A. on her hit “Paper Planes” in 2008. In 2011 he and Switch formed Major Lazer and created a cartoon series for FXX. Major Lazer has released five albums blending EDM and dancehall. Diplo has also collaborated with top artists like Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. His stage name Diplo is a nod to his childhood love of dinosaurs.
Diplo in Brief
| Full Name | Thomas Wesley Pentz Jr. |
| Date of Birth | November 10, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupation | DJ, Record Producer, Songwriter |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Partners | Kathryn Lockhart (former), Chantel Jeffries (rumored) |
| Children | Lockett, Lazer, Pace |
| Net Worth | $70 million |
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What is Diplo Net Worth in 2024?
Diplo is an American DJ, music producer, and songwriter with a net worth of $70 Million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Diplo’s net worth primarily comes from his successful career as a music producer, DJ, and songwriter.
He’s one of the most influential figures in electronic dance music (EDM), and he has worked with many famous artists, including Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Madonna. Diplo is also a member of several music groups like Major Lazer and Silk City, which have released hit songs worldwide.
In addition to making money from music sales and streaming, Diplo earns a significant income from performing at major music festivals and events around the world. He also has deals with brands and his record label, which adds to his wealth.
Diplo’s Early Life and Education
Thomas Wesley Pentz also known as Diplo was born on November 10, 1978, in Tupelo Mississippi to Barbara Jean and Thomas Pentz. He has German and English roots. Diplo finished high school in Hendersonville Tennessee.
His early exposure to local rap music heavily influenced his unique production style. Although born in Mississippi Diplo grew up in Miami where he became familiar with Miami bass music.
In 1997 he started studying at the University of Central Florida and became a DJ at WPRK a local radio station. He later moved to Philadelphia to study at Temple University gaining recognition as a DJ.
At age 20, He traveled to India with just a small bag and limited money. He bought a used Enfield motorcycle and explored regions like Ladakh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Gujarat. During his travels, he collected records and visited places where he could hear traditional Indian music including the sitar and tabla.
Diplo’s Career
Hooked on Hollertronix
After returning to the U.S., Diplo teamed up with DJ Low Budget. In 2003 they started hosting parties called “Hooked on Hollertronix” in Philadelphia. These events helped them gain control over their music and led to successful mixtapes such as “Never Scared” which was named one of The New York Times’ top albums of 2003.
The Hollertronix parties became famous for featuring artists like M.I.A., Bun B, and Spank Rock. Their unique sound mixed various genres to create an attention-grabbing impact inspired by artists like Lil Jon and Björk.
His first solo album “Florida” released under Big Dada Records showcased a more introspective sound compared to his Hollertronix work. The album came in two formats: CD and CD/DVD set with the DVD made by System D-128. Before this, Diplo released a DVD called “Banned in Libya” which featured an experimental mix of his music. Diplo’s interest in baile funk a Brazilian dance genre led to mixtapes like Favela on Blast which introduced Brazilian dance music to the U.S.
Diplo’s success with Hollertronix allowed him to build “The Mausoleum” a multifaceted space in Philadelphia for recording events and art. Many notable artists including Christina Aguilera and Shakira recorded there.
M.I.A.
In 2004, M.I.A. met Diplo at the Fabric Club in London while he played her songs. They quickly bonded over shared interests and backgrounds leading to their collaboration on Piracy Funds Terrorism Vol. 1. This mixtape blending M.I.A.’s acapellas with other tracks earned acclaim from The New York Times and Pitchfork. He also joined M.I.A. on her 2005 tour.
He continued working with M.I.A. and met DJ Switch leading to the creation of the hit track “Paper Planes.” This song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, tensions arose between Diplo and M.I.A. regarding her rising fame.
His career soared as he worked with artists like Shakira and Snoop Dogg. His fascination with favela funk led him to bring the Brazilian group Bonde do Rolê to his Mad Decent label. Diplo also documented the Brazilian music scene.
“Mad Decent” founded in 2005 released music from a wide range of artists expanding beyond favela funk. Diplo’s global touring helped push the label’s diverse sound. In September 2009, he even performed in China. Mad Decent’s roster included artists like Baauer and Santigold.
His solo career continued to thrive with notable productions for Beyoncé and Justin Bieber. His 2015 single “Be Right There” with Sleepy Tom achieved significant streaming success. He also produced tracks for Beyoncé’s acclaimed album Lemonade and collaborated on “Blame” with Zeds Dead and Elliphant.
Major Lazer
Diplo’s Major Lazer project was created with Switch mixed Miami Bass and Baile Funk with Jamaican dancehall influences. Their album “Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do” featured artists like Santigold and Vybz Kartel. The hit track “Pon De Floor” was later sampled by Beyoncé.
Major Lazer’s follow-up album “Free the Universe” was delayed but included collaborations with big names like Bruno Mars and Wyclef Jean. Diplo and Walshy Fire who joined Major Lazer after Switch’s departure released the successful album “Peace Is the Mission” in 2015. The hit single “Lean On” with DJ Snake and MØ became Spotify’s most-streamed song of all time.
Jack Ü
He continued his success with Major Lazer and Jack Ü a duo with Skrillex. They debuted in 2013 and gained recognition with their album including the hit “Where Are Ü Now” featuring Justin Bieber. This track became one of their biggest hits reaching top positions on multiple charts and achieving significant streaming success.
His other projects include LSD a supergroup with Sia and Labrinth and Silk City with Mark Ronson. Silk City’s single “Electricity” won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2018.
He also collaborated with Mark Ronson under the name Silk City releasing tracks like “Electricity” that earned a Grammy. His career has included notable performances including a 2016 show in Islamabad Pakistan. Diplo’s interest in global music scenes continues with recent projects in country music including his album “Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil” released in 2020.
Diplo’s Personal Life
Diplo is a father to three sons: Lockett and Lazer, whom he shares with Kathryn Lockhart, and Pace with model Jevon King. He dated rapper M.I.A. from 2003 to 2008. M.I.A. later claimed he was emotionally abusive during their relationship.
He also made news in 2014 and 2015 for his romance with Katy Perry, but their relationship ended.
He loves soccer and cricket and supports the U.S. men’s national soccer team. He created a mix for the 2014 World Cup and produced the official song “Live It Up” for the 2018 World Cup. On January 27, 2016, he bought a stake in Phoenix Rising FC a USL Championship team.
He publicly supported Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination. Sanders’ ad “It’s A Revolution” featured Diplo’s 2013 song “Revolution”. Diplo appeared on Billboard’s cover on June 9, 2016.
On May 1, 2019, He live-streamed Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner‘s Las Vegas wedding on Instagram, unaware it was a serious event. The couple later said Diplo disrupted their wedding, and Diplo responded on social media. Five months later, Diplo and the Jonas Brothers released “Lonely,” with a video showing Diplo trying to make amends.
On July 9, 2020, He took part in the “Get Up, Stand Up!” virtual fundraiser with Senator Kamala Harris, supporting Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.
In March 2023, He told Emily Ratajkowski in an interview that he doesn’t want to label his sexuality but leans towards not being straight.
In August 2023, He performed from a hot air balloon at Burning Man in Nevada. After heavy rain turned the festival into a muddy mess, Diplo left on foot and hitchhiked with comedian Chris Rock.
Diplo’s Legal issue
In October 2020, a woman sued Diplo accusing him of rape and saying he gave her an STD. She also claimed he recorded explicit videos of her without her consent. The woman who was 22 at the time alleged that the rape occurred in March 2019, at a Las Vegas hotel after they had been chatting privately on Twitter for about five years.
Her medical records confirmed she had chlamydia and Diplo was her only sexual partner then. He responded by filing a restraining order alleging that the woman had been stalking and harassing him and had also shared nude photos of him without his permission.
Diplo Real Estate
In 2016, Diplo bought a modern house in Beachwood Canyon for $2.425 million. This house is in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, California. It has big glass walls and amazing views of the city, canyons, and ocean. The house is 2,500 square feet and includes a studio and a cedar hot tub. There’s also a wall of succulents and a garage for two cars. Diplo sold this house in April 2021 for $2.8 million.
In November 2020, Diplo bought a house in Malibu that used to belong to Kid Rock. Kid Rock bought this house in 2006 for $11.6 million and sold it in 2017 for $9.5 million. Diplo paid $13.2 million for it.
