Diplo

Solo Artist

Photo: mtheory LLC · CC BY-SA 3.0
Active 2001-present
Origin Tupelo, Mississippi
Albums 6
Tracks 75
Most frequent collaborator Thomas Wesley Pentz · 26 tracks
Genres ElectronicEDMTrapHouseMoombahtonCountry Pop
Complete Artist
100%
Authorship

Holds writing credit on 75 of 75 tracks

Does Diplo write his own songs?

Diplo works as a DJ and producer, so he keeps composition and production credits on nearly every track while the featured vocalists usually write and sing the lyrics. He does move into genuine lyric co-writing on his country-leaning Thomas Wesley albums, working with collaborators like King Henry and Ryan Tedder, but his electronic releases are built around outside singers handling their own words.

By the Numbers

6
Studio Albums
75
Tracks Credited
100%
Self-Written
25
Years Active
227
Collaborators

Authorship Breakdown 75 / 75 self-written

Who wrote the songs?

Across all 75 tracks: how many Diplo wrote alone, how many they co-wrote, and how many were written by others. The bracket marks every track they hold any writing credit on.

Diplo has a writing credit100%
27%
73%
Sole author20tracks27%
Co-written55tracks73%
Outside writers0tracks0%

Role Fingerprint how they contribute

Lyricist Performer Composer Producer
Diplo's roles across the catalogue

Share of all 75 tracks where they are personally credited, by role.

Lyricist (words)84%
Composer (music)68%
Producer99%
Performer36%

Authorship Over Time writing credit per album

Diplo's writing credit per album, in release order. Hover any bar for the album.

avg 100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
2004Florida
2020Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil
2020MMXX
2022Diplo
2023Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 2: Swamp Savant
2026d00mscrvll
Early · 100% written
Mid · 100% written
Late · 100% written

Authorship by Decade track-weighted

100%
2000s
Florida
100%
2020s
Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil, MMXX +3 more

Authorship Spectrum pure performer to complete author

Where Diplo sits on the scale from a pure performer (0%, sings songs written by others) to a complete author (100%, writes everything). The bright marker is their catalogue authorship score, plotted against other artists on the site.

Diplo
Other artists on the site

Reference artists spread across the scale, closest by genre and era.

Tim McGraw2%
Blake Shelton14%
Josh Groban29%
Rihanna44%
Florida Georgia Line63%
Miranda Lambert76%
Miley Cyrus92%
100%Diplo
Pure Performer0%
Songwriter~50%
Complete Author100%

Who Really Wrote the Hits signature songs

Heartless
Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil
Written by Diplo, Morgan Wallen, Henry Agincourt Allen, Ryan Vojtesak, Ernest, Ryan Hurd, Thomas Pentz, Ernest Keith Smith
Co-wrote

Discography 6 albums

Collaborator Network who they worked with most

Diplo75 tracks
26Thomas Wesley Pentz, 26 tracks on Major Lazer's page MJ18Maximilian Jaeger, 18 tracks KH12King Henry, 12 tracks 11MAKJ, 11 tracks HA8Henry Agincourt Allen, 8 tracks DE8Daniel Etienne, 8 tracks JJ7Juicy J, 7 tracks PP7Project Pat, 7 tracks JM7Jordan Michael Houston, 7 tracks J5Jaxxtone, 5 tracks PV4Philip von Boch Scully, 4 tracks PB4Picard Brothers, 4 tracks JB3Jr Blender, 3 tracks JM3Julia Michaels, 3 tracks AA3Amy Allen, 3 tracks KL3Kareen Lomax, 3 tracks NL3Naji Lomax, 3 tracks MP3Maxime Picard, 3 tracks CP3Clément Picard, 3 tracks N3NITTI, 3 tracks A3adieu, 3 tracks MT2Martina Topley-Bird, 2 tracks OP2Orville Peck, 2 tracks SS2Sasha Sloan, 2 tracks BM2Benjamin Mathis, 2 tracks H2Hardy, 2 tracks MW2Michael Wilson Hardy, 2 tracks MW2Morgan Wallen, 2 tracks RV2Ryan Vojtesak, 2 tracks E2Ernest, 2 tracks RH2Ryan Hurd, 2 tracks EK2Ernest Keith Smith, 2 tracks JM2Joey Moi, 2 tracks CH2Charlie Handsome, 2 tracks RT2Ryan Tedder, 2 tracks on OneRepublic's page ZB2Zac Brown, 2 tracks on Zac Brown Band's page ME2Mikky Ekko, 2 tracks JH2Jasper Helderman, 2 tracks BV2Bas van Daalen, 2 tracks R2Rampa, 2 tracks PW2Paul Woolford, 2 tracks RM2Richard Mears IV, 2 tracks NG2Nitti Gritti, 2 tracks DM2David M. Karbal, 2 tracks JB2Jamison Baken, 2 tracks KB2Kodak Black, 2 tracks ER2Elie Rizk, 2 tracks IJ2Ilsey Juber, 2 tracks TB2Taurus Bartlett, 2 tracks EB2Emeric Boxall, 2 tracks JM2Jessie Murph, 2 tracks M2Maesic, 2 tracks BA2Brian Andrew Domalik, 2 tracks MJ2MacKenzie Johnson, 2 tracks J2Jorge, 2 tracks VK1Vybz Kartel, 1 track PO1Pantera Os Danadinhos, 1 track SM1Sandra Melody, 1 track SW1Sandra Wright, 1 track P1P.E.A.C.E., 1 track C1Cam, 1 track TJ1Tyler Johnson, 1 track DG1Diana Gordon, 1 track CO1Camaron Ochs, 1 track JJ1Joe Jonas, 1 track on Jonas Brothers's page NJ1Nick Jonas, 1 track on Jonas Brothers's page KJ1Kevin Jonas II, 1 track JJ1Joseph Jonas, 1 track NJ1Nicholas Jonas, 1 track JB1Jonas Brothers, 1 track TR1Thomas Rhett, 1 track YT1Young Thug, 1 track ZS1Zach Skelton, 1 track JB1Julian Bunetta, 1 track JW1Jeffery Williams, 1 track ZA1Zachary Alexander Brown, 1 track BB1Blanco Brown, 1 track BA1Bennie Amey II, 1 track M1MØ, 1 track TB1Tommy Brenneck, 1 track NC1Noah Cyrus, 1 track C1Clever, 1 track MZ1Matt Zara, 1 track JH1Joshua Huie, 1 track GD1Great Dane, 1 track DB1Danielle Bradbery, 1 track BB1Ben Burgess, 1 track AG1Ashley Gorley, 1 track JD1Jacob Durrett, 1 track LN1Lil Nas X, 1 track BR1Billy Ray Cyrus, 1 track KR1Kiowa Roukema, 1 track MT1Michael Trent Reznor, 1 track AM1Atticus Matthew Ross, 1 track J1Jozzy, 1 track MH1Montero Hill, 1 track Y1YoungKio, 1 track TR1Trent Reznor, 1 track on Nine Inch Nails's page AR1Atticus Ross, 1 track on Nine Inch Nails's page L1Lunice, 1 track GT1Good Times Ahead, 1 track R1Rhye, 1 track M1Miguel, 1 track MP1Miguel Pimentel, 1 track A1Amtrac, 1 track TB1Todd Bridges, 1 track HA1Henry Allen, 1 track JC1Jerome Castille, 1 track CC1Caleb Cornett, 1 track LB1Leon Bridges, 1 track RX1Ry X, 1 track EA1Eric Alberto-Lopez, 1 track JE1Jason Evigan, 1 track RC1Ry Cuming, 1 track AD1Ape Drums, 1 track on Major Lazer's page AK1Alexander Kotz, 1 track SH1Simon Haehnel, 1 track TM1Tobias Müller, 1 track JB1Janée Bennett, 1 track A1Andhim, 1 track E1Elderbrook, 1 track CP1Christopher Peers, 1 track BR1Busta Rhymes, 1 track LD1Lawrence Dermer, 1 track HS1Henry Stone, 1 track FS1Freddy Stonewall, 1 track TS1Trevor Smith Jr., 1 track M1Melé, 1 track LY1Lil Yachty, 1 track DT1Daniel Tuparia, 1 track RL1Rio Leyva, 1 track MM1Miles McCollum, 1 track C1Cesqeaux, 1 track DR1Dylan Ragland, 1 track S1Sting, 1 track on The Police's page ME1Missy Elliott, 1 track CE1Chad Elliott, 1 track GP1George Pearson, 1 track GS1Gordon Sumner, 1 track ME1Melissa Elliott, 1 track S1Sidepiece, 1 track DL1Damian Lazarus, 1 track JL1Joshua Lloyd-Watson, 1 track J1Jungle, 1 track AM1Alex Metric, 1 track VD1Vito de Luca, 1 track T1TSHA, 1 track TJ1Tobias Jesso Jr., 1 track MP1Matthew Phelan, 1 track TM1Teisha Matthews, 1 track

Bubble size = tracks worked on together. Showing the 150 most frequent of 223. MJ Maximilian Jaeger · KH King Henry · HA Henry Agincourt Allen · DE Daniel Etienne

Photo credits

Portraits in the web and the rail come from Wikimedia Commons. The artist's own photo carries its credit under the picture.

The Authorship Story

Data Insight

Diplo's authorship model reflects the modern producer-as-artist paradigm: he retains composer and producer credits on nearly every track but relies almost entirely on outside vocalists for lyrics. His solo releases break into two modes: the country Thomas Wesley chapters, where he co-wrote lyrics with collaborators like King Henry and Ryan Tedder, and the electronic albums (MMXX, Diplo 2022), where he handled all composition and production with a rotating cast of featured vocalists handling their own words. The legal name Thomas Pentz appears consistently in writing credits across all projects.

Quick Facts

  • Real nameThomas Wesley Pentz, from Tupelo, Mississippi
  • GrammysThree wins across dance and electronic categories
  • ProjectsFounder of Major Lazer, half of Jack Ü with Skrillex, and part of LSD and Silk City
  • LabelsRuns the Mad Decent and Higher Ground labels
  • Produced forBeyoncé, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Drake, BTS and many more
  • Solo albumsSix, from Florida (2004) to d00mscrvll (2026)

Creative Fingerprint

A producer-as-artist: Diplo keeps the composition and production credits on nearly every track while outside vocalists write and sing the words, shifting to genuine lyric co-writing only on his country Thomas Wesley chapters.

The Story

Diplo (born Thomas Wesley Pentz Jr. on November 10, 1978) is an American DJ, record producer, and label head from Tupelo, Mississippi. He built his reputation in Philadelphia's underground scene in the early 2000s before achieving international recognition through his Major Lazer collective and a series of solo releases. As sole operator of the Mad Decent and Higher Ground labels, Diplo has produced records for artists ranging from M.I.A. and Beyoncé to Usher and Bad Bunny. His solo catalog spans ecletic hip-hop and global bass (Florida, 2004), ambient electronic (MMXX, 2020), country pop under the Thomas Wesley moniker (Chapters 1 and 2), polished tech house (Diplo, 2022), and the hip-hop project d00mscrvll (2026).

Awards & Recognition

Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, 'Where Are Ü Now' with Skrillex and Justin Bieber (2016)
Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü (2016)
Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording, 'Electricity' with Mark Ronson and Dua Lipa (2019)

Frequently Asked Questions Diplo

Does Diplo write his own songs?
Diplo works as a DJ and producer, so he keeps composition and production credits on nearly every track while the featured vocalists usually write and sing the lyrics. He does move into genuine lyric co-writing on his country-leaning Thomas Wesley albums, working with collaborators like King Henry and Ryan Tedder, but his electronic releases are built around outside singers handling their own words.
How many Grammys has Diplo won?
Diplo has won three Grammy Awards: Best Dance Recording for 'Where Are Ü Now' with Skrillex and Justin Bieber, Best Dance/Electronic Album for Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü (both 2016), and Best Dance Recording for 'Electricity' with Mark Ronson and Dua Lipa in 2019.
What are Diplo's main groups and projects?
Beyond his solo work, Diplo leads the dancehall collective Major Lazer, forms the duo Jack Ü with Skrillex, and is part of the supergroups LSD (with Sia and Labrinth) and Silk City (with Mark Ronson). Much of his best-known music comes out under these project names rather than his own.
Who wrote 'Heartless' by Diplo?
'Heartless' was co-written by Diplo with Morgan Wallen, who sings lead, along with additional writers, and it appears on the 2020 album Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley, Chapter 1: Snake Oil. It was one of the biggest songs from his country crossover project.
Which artists has Diplo produced for?
Diplo has produced for a long list of major artists including Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Britney Spears, Drake, and BTS. His production work outside his own records is a major part of his career.
How many solo albums has Diplo released?
Diplo has released six solo studio albums: Florida (2004), the two Thomas Wesley country chapters Snake Oil (2020) and Swamp Savant (2023), the ambient MMXX (2020), the house record Diplo (2022), and the hip-hop project d00mscrvll (2026).
Why is he called Diplo?
The name Diplo is short for Diplodocus and comes from his childhood fascination with dinosaurs. His legal name is Thomas Wesley Pentz, which is also the name he releases his country music under.
Who sang 'Don't Forget My Love'?
'Don't Forget My Love' is a collaboration between Diplo and singer Miguel, released on Diplo's 2022 self-titled house album. Diplo produced the track while Miguel handled the vocals.

Sources

Diplo - Wikipedia