Hey, Mr. Dj on the Go with Music Maestro Diplo
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BOY DU JOUR hey, mr. dj ON THE GO WITH MUSIC MAESTRO DIPLO CLEARLY, DIPLO DIDN’T get the memo that the music industry is dying. After first gaining mainstream recognition in 2005 for his production work on then-girlfriend M.I.A.’s debut album, Arular, the 32-year- old has since founded a record label, pro- duced a documentary, became a bona fide DJ Hero (he’s featured in the popular video game’s second installment), and has morphed into today’s godfather of the re- mix. Sorry, Diddy. Undeniably, the boy’s got “swagga,” a term he helped popularize with the M.I.A. hit “Paper Planes” that he produced with renowned U.K. songwriter Switch. The song was a Top 5 hit, was nominated for a Record of the Year Grammy in 2008, and was featured in the films Pineapple Ex- EY press and Slumdog Millionaire. Not bad L for a kid from Mississippi who got his start DJing while a student at Temple University AN BRAD I : G in Philly. “All I thought about was DJing IN L and selling mix tapes,” he says of his be- ginnings as the life of every campus party. HARON; STY “I never really had some big plan on how A to take over the music industry. I didn’t ex- : LISA G pect to sell records.” » GROOMIN PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALIYA NAUMOFF / //BUST BUST / / 1717 broadcast But Diplo (born Wesley Pentz) is do- a diverse group of kindred-spirit artists, two TV projects in the works: an animated ing just that. When I catch up with him including comedian and former MTV star Major Lazer series for the Cartoon Net- for our interview at the Ace Hotel in Andy Milonakis and Pakistani punk band work’s “Adult Swim” programming block N.Y.C., he’s in the midst of wrapping up Popo. And now, after years of creating and an adventure series for the Travel promotion for his expertly curated new hits for others, he’s set to put out two Channel that the globetrotter promises dubstep compilation, Blow Your Head, more of his own albums this spring. The “will go where Bourdain hasn’t.” for his label Mad Decent. He’s somewhat first is a new release from Major Lazer— This year Diplo will also continue work of a hero to fans of this bass-driven genre the dancehall project he began in 2009 on his favorite collaboration to date: the that blends reggae, garage, and techno with Switch—that will be a series of col- newborn son he had with his “awesome” and he’s been quite busy lately. When he laborations with various artists. The sec- girlfriend in October. “It just basically wasn’t out promoting this burgeoning ond will be a solo album, a follow-up to sleeps and poops all day. I haven’t really sound, he could be found posing for an his 2004 debut, Florida. “I’ve done a lot figured out what I’m supposed to do with Alexander Wang ad campaign for which of remixes for people so that they could a kid yet,” says the new dad, who still oc- his Hollywood good looks surely came owe me a vocal,” says Diplo of his hopes casionally slips and calls his baby boy “it.” in handy. “Every year gets crazier, but to cash in on some of those IOUs for his Ironically, the man recognized as a taste- this is the first year I am really focused solo album. “Some of the people who maker by many a music snob may have on everything,” he says of his breakneck owe me vocals are Sia, Maroon 5, and met his harshest critic in his own son. “He schedule. “I have a lot going on.” Gwen Stefani. It’s gonna be a mix of soul really doesn’t like Major Lazer,” Diplo says. Not only a champion of dubstep, Dip- singers, indie-rock people, everyone.” “He’s more into rock music. I’m kinda mad. lo also uses his label to release works by As if that weren’t enough, he also has Maybe we can fix that.” [SABRINA FORD ] whatever rows your boat NAN MCELROY DIPS HER OAR INTO A MALE ROWING TRADITION VISITORS TO VENICE, Italy, inevitably fall more in love with the city with each waterfront sip of prosecco. But American ex-pat Nan McElroy, 52, has carved out a niche in the ancient city by becoming one of the few women to practice voga alla veneta, a centuries-old rowing tradition made famous by the city’s colorful gondoliers. “When you row, you slow down enough to see what’s really going on in Venice,” McElroy says. “You appreciate it more.” Veneta rowers stand up to steer their shallow boats through Venice’s canals, and the incredible strength this requires makes it almost exclusively a male occupation. But one night at a party in 2005, a friend offered McEl- roy a chance to try his rowboat. “It was after midnight; the water was pitch black,” she recalls. “I wasn’t good, but I got a rhythm, and I was hooked. I remember crawling into bed thinking, This is the best night of my life.” But of the 20 or so rowing clubs in Venice, few had female members, much less foreign ones, and joining their ranks was challenging. “You’re en- tering a whole culture,” she says. “It means so much to these people, and they watch every move you make.” Eventually, however, the cantankerous guys at the Cannareggio rowing club got used to McElroy, and she soon found more women who wanted to join. Today, about 30 female rowers A V Nan McElroy [at the I back of the first boat] belong, and the club is proud to have them, too. For the past two years, it’s cruises Venice's canals held an all-female regatta, which McElroy won this year. “Venice was built V RAPHY: with her rowing pals G for rowed boats,” she says. “And without intending to, we changed the culture.” [EVE TROEH ] PHOTO 18 / BUST // FEB/MAR.