Podcast Summary
Diplo's Journey from Humble Beginnings to Music Industry Success: Despite facing challenges and doubts, Diplo's work ethic, discipline, and determination to pursue his passion for music were key factors in his journey to success.
Despite starting from humble beginnings and facing challenges in his formative years, Diplo's work ethic and discipline played a crucial role in shaping his success. Diplo's early experiences of being a "bad kid" and getting expelled from school led him to military school, where he learned valuable lessons about the consequences of his actions. His father, a Vietnam vet, instilled in him a strong concept of discipline that proved to be instrumental in his journey. Despite doubters, including his own father, Diplo persevered and pursued his passion for music, even obtaining degrees in anthropology and filmmaking. Ultimately, his relentless work ethic, passion for learning, and ability to set goals set him apart and contributed to his success in the music industry.
Taking risks, investing in yourself, and embracing opportunities to learn and grow: Diplo's journey to success in the music industry.: Take initiative, embrace your passions, and continuously develop your skills to find fulfillment in your work and make a positive impact on others.
Diplo emphasizes the importance of taking initiative and creating opportunities for oneself. He acknowledges that his journey may have been different if he had dropped out of college earlier and pursued his passion for music sooner. Diplo highlights the significance of finding fulfillment in one's work and making a positive impact, rather than simply working for the benefit of others. He demonstrates the value of learning through hands-on experiences and continuously developing new skills. Diplo's story showcases the determination and perseverance required to succeed in the music industry, driven by a hunger for knowledge and constant self-improvement. This key takeaway highlights the significance of taking risks, investing in oneself, and embracing the opportunity to learn and grow.
The Significance of Passion and Obsession in Pursuing a Career or Hobby: Follow your passion and obsession, even if it may not bring immediate rewards or recognition, as it is important to pursue what you love.
Diplo emphasizes the importance of passion and obsession in pursuing a career or hobby. He highlights how DJs, like the ones he looked up to, were the cultural benchmark who dedicated themselves to understanding and connecting various genres of music. Diplo's own obsession with music led him to become a record collector and explore different countries to find rare vinyl records to sell. Similarly, Steven Bartlett mentions how comedians make the decision to leave their stable jobs and follow their passion for comedy, even if it may not initially bring them money or recognition. This conversation underscores the significance of pursuing what you love, regardless of external rewards or expectations.
The Connection between Passion and Innovation: Diplo's Unique Path to Success: Embrace your individuality, don't rely on conventional paths or too much guidance. Exploring new and unconventional paths can lead to success and unique opportunities.
Passion and innovation are often deeply connected. Diplo's success in music came from his obsessive passion and pursuit of a unique sound. He didn't follow conventional paths or rely on mentorship, but instead forged his own way and experimented with different styles of music. Diplo's ability to bring his southern heritage and unique sound to a different region helped him stand out and gain popularity. This conversation highlights the importance of embracing one's individuality and finding what truly sets them apart. It also suggests that having too much guidance or following tutorials can hinder creativity and innovation. By staying true to oneself and being willing to explore new and unconventional paths, success and unique opportunities can arise.
Embracing Unconventional Paths for Success: Embrace your uniqueness, tap into unexplored markets and genres, take risks, and create innovative concepts to stand out and achieve success in a crowded and competitive world.
Finding a unique and unconventional path can lead to great opportunities and success. Diplo emphasizes the importance of tapping into unexplored markets and genres, and taking risks to stand out from the crowd. He urges young people to embrace their weirdness and lean into their unique strengths, even if it feels strange at first. In today's information-driven world, where artists are constantly vying for attention, having something extraordinary and attention-grabbing is crucial. Diplo's journey as a DJ and musician exemplifies the power of thinking outside the box and creating innovative concepts. Imposter syndrome may linger, but by focusing on the puzzle-like nature of combining different elements, success can be achieved.
The Importance of Conceptual Thinking and Deep Music Knowledge in Creative Process: Diplo stresses the significance of being conceptual and having a deep knowledge of music history in order to create unique sounds and be a successful artist and DJ.
Diplo emphasizes the importance of being a conceptual person in his creative process. He believes that his talent for mixing new sounds and songwriting defines who he is as an artist. Diplo also discusses the misconception that DJing is easy and can be learned in just 10 minutes. He acknowledges that having a deep knowledge of music history and being able to select the right songs at the right time are what make a DJ special. Additionally, he highlights the significance of traveling and immersing oneself in different cultures, as it provides a wealth of artistic reference points and inspiration. By exploring the origins and reasons behind various music genres, Diplo finds ways to create new and unique sounds.
Diplo's Influence on Funk Music in Brazil and the Creation of Timeless Music: Diplo's exploration of different music genres, collaborations with diverse artists, and emphasis on creating timeless pieces have contributed to the evolution of funk music in Brazil and solidified his position as an innovative trendsetter in the music industry.
Diplo's exploration of different music genres and collaborations with diverse artists have contributed to the evolution and commercialization of funk music in Brazil. By immersing himself in the Brazilian music scene and producing records with MIA and Major Lazer, Diplo helped validate and popularize funk music in the country. Furthermore, Diplo emphasizes the importance of creating timeless pieces of music. He mentions specific songs like "Where Are You Now" by Justin Bieber and "Lean On" by Major Lazer, which he spent significant time and effort on, aiming to predict and shape the future of music. Diplo's goal has always been to be innovative and trendsetting, following in the footsteps of great artists like Prince, Timbaland, and Pharrell.
The unpredictable journey to success in the music industry.: Meticulous effort, creating numerous records, and collaborating with artists are essential in the music industry, but success is unpredictable, and timing is crucial.
Achieving success in the music industry requires a combination of meticulous effort and serendipity. Diplo emphasizes the importance of painstakingly perfecting each record, treating it like an architect crafting a flawless house. However, he also acknowledges that creating numerous records and releasing them randomly increases the chances of producing a hit. Diplo highlights the role of diplomacy in collaborating with artists, negotiating deals, and assembling a record. He emphasizes that every record is a unique journey, requiring different approaches and strategies. Additionally, the conversation reveals the intense and non-stop nature of Diplo's career, with little time for personal life balance. Ultimately, success in the music industry is unpredictable, and artists must seize opportunities while understanding their career's lifespan.
Lessons Learned from COVID: Finding Balance and Appreciating the Present Moment: The pandemic forced Diplo and Steven Bartlett to reevaluate their priorities and appreciate the importance of relationships and personal connections. Finding balance and surrounding oneself with a supportive network is crucial for success and happiness.
Both Diplo and Steven Bartlett have learned valuable lessons from the downtime caused by COVID. They both had busy and chaotic lives before the pandemic, constantly chasing success and working under pressure. However, the forced pause allowed them to reflect on their priorities. Diplo realized that he was neglecting important aspects of his life, such as spending time with his children and enjoying the simple pleasures. Steven Bartlett also experienced a similar revelation, stepping back from his hectic schedule and realizing the importance of relationships and personal connections. Both now value the support and teamwork around them, recognizing the significance of having people who have their best interests at heart. Ultimately, this conversation highlights the importance of finding balance, appreciating the present moment, and surrounding yourself with a supportive network.
Finding Belief and Support in Others for Success: Surround yourself with people who believe in your potential, prioritize finding supportive management, and focus on the opinions of those who genuinely matter while disregarding negative comments from those who don't truly know you.
It is important to find people who believe in you and allow you to be yourself in order to achieve success. Diplo shares his experience of having a supportive manager who motivated him to aim higher in his career. He emphasizes the importance of having a vision for oneself and not getting swayed by inexperienced or unsupportive managers. He advises young individuals to be cautious when choosing management and to prioritize finding people who truly believe in their potential. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the significance of saying no and setting boundaries, as well as the impact of critics on mental health. Diplo highlights the need to focus on the opinions of those who truly matter and not to be affected by negative comments from people who may not know the real person.
Building a Successful Brand in Showbiz: Embrace the Good and the Bad: In showbiz, success stems from leveraging your brand, overcoming criticism, adapting to evolving platforms, prioritizing mental health, and striving to be the best version of yourself.
Building a brand in showbiz requires embracing both the positive and negative aspects. Diplo explains how he has become a popular DJ by leveraging his brand, even though not everyone may know his music. Being in the spotlight means constantly facing scrutiny and criticism, but to achieve success, one must learn to handle it and focus on what truly matters—your team and the support of loved ones. Diplo also emphasizes the importance of adapting to evolving platforms like TikTok and participating in the conversation to maintain brand relevance. Additionally, he touches upon the need for mental health advocacy, highlighting the challenges faced by young artists in today's social media-driven world. Ultimately, it's about overcoming external pressures and striving to be the best version of yourself.
Diplo's Journey: Balancing Success, Anxiety, and Personal Growth: Taking care of mental health is crucial for success; prioritize self-care, time management, and family to maintain overall well-being.
Taking care of one's mental health is crucial, even for successful individuals like Diplo. Diplo acknowledges that anxiety can be crippling and understands the importance of supporting others who experience it. He shares his experiences of feeling overwhelmed and pressured in the music industry. However, becoming a father was a pivotal moment for him, teaching him the value of time management and prioritizing his family. Diplo admits that he is still a work in progress, striving to instill discipline in his children while recognizing the need for personal growth. This conversation highlights the significance of balancing personal and professional responsibilities and prioritizing self-care to maintain overall well-being.
Balancing Fatherhood, Fame, and Mental Health: Diplo emphasizes the importance of quality time with family, gratitude, and maintaining a healthy mindset, cautioning against the dangers of burnout and addiction to adrenaline.
Diplo realizes the importance of balancing his role as a father and being their friend. He acknowledges that spending quality time with his children, like watching cartoons or playing games together, holds more significance than extravagant trips or adventurous activities. Additionally, Diplo discusses the challenges of experiencing highs and lows in his career as a DJ. He emphasizes the need for gratitude and mental work to maintain a healthy mindset in the face of success and fame. Diplo warns against getting addicted to the adrenaline rush and highlights the importance of finding a balance, as constantly living in a state of extreme excitement can lead to burnout and negative consequences.
Finding Happiness Beyond Success and Material Possessions: True fulfillment comes from doing what you love, valuing simple joys, and being content with oneself, irrespective of societal standards of wealth and fame.
Diplo emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment and contentment in life beyond external success and material possessions. He acknowledges that while his career as a DJ and producer has brought him financial success, he recognizes that his true happiness lies in doing something he loves, even if it means starting over in a completely different field. He values his family and the simple joys of life, highlighting that success should be measured by one's ability to be content and at peace, rather than by societal standards of wealth and fame. Moreover, Diplo shares his journey of discovering his own artistic identity and the freedom he found in creating music on his own terms.
Exposing the Daily Grind and Finding Balance in Pursuing Passions and Relationships: Diplo advises exposing loved ones to the hard work and sacrifices required to succeed, while emphasizing the importance of understanding and balance in maintaining romantic relationships.
Diplo's advice to his boys, when they ask for guidance on pursuing their passions and starting a company, is to expose them to his own journey by taking them on the road with him. He believes that showing them the daily grind, the hard work, and the sacrifices required in his profession will help them understand the process and what it takes to succeed. Additionally, Diplo discusses the challenges of maintaining romantic relationships when living an obsessive and fast-paced lifestyle. He emphasizes the need for understanding and balance, mentioning that dating someone in the same industry may not be healthy due to the differences between their stage persona and who they are as a person. Ultimately, Diplo values romantic connections and has found a peaceful balance with the mothers of his children and his new girlfriend, where everyone is happy and healthy.
The Power of Emotional Vulnerability: Opening up emotionally can lead to positive changes in life and relationships, and becoming a parent can provide a deeper understanding of unconditional love.
Diplo admits to having an emotionless exterior and finding it difficult to show emotions. He attributes this to his upbringing and the need to protect himself in the world he is in. However, he acknowledges that finding the right person can change everything and make him open up emotionally. This is exemplified by the story of Patrice Evra, who initially built a tough exterior due to a traumatic past but eventually broke down and opened up, leading to positive changes in his life and relationships. Diplo also reveals that he only truly understood love when he became a father, emphasizing the unconditional love he feels for his children. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of emotional expression and the potential impact it can have on one's well-being and relationships.
Diplo's Journey: Seeking Love, Joy, Inspiration, and New Music: Diplo's commitment to creating fresh and relevant projects showcases his dedication to his craft, leaving a meaningful impact on people's lives.
Diplo is on a journey to find a great woman to settle down with, while also seeking to bring joy, inspiration, and new music to people. He believes that his existence is about adding something brand new to the world, creating a unique contribution to the fabric of time and space. Steven Bartlett expresses admiration for Diplo's ability to consistently create fresh and relevant projects even after 20 years in his career. He highlights the impact of Diplo's latest album, which felt familiar yet exciting, and commends the dance culture in the UK for understanding and appreciating such projects. Overall, this conversation emphasizes Diplo's dedication to his craft and the meaningful impact his work has on people.
