As part of their Legacy Project, GQ spoke with 19 musicians who they believe left a lasting mark on the industry in 2014. On the EDM side of things, they spoke with Diplo (born Thomas Wesley Pentz). The influential producer/DJ dished on his beef with Taylor Swift fans, his relationship with Lorde, the role of labels in the industry today, his approach to music, L.A.'s thriving underground music scene, Odd Future's staying power, working with Madonna, being in the tabloids, how he chooses collaborators, and more. Here's some of what we learned:
On major labels: "You know, you don't need a label anymore. Major labels, they come to us anyway for, like, ideas for videos and marketing. We're better at it than they are. Now I'm like, 'Why did I ever do anything on major label?' Well, I never had the money. But now I'm just investing in myself, which is what you should be doing. Always. I think more artists, honestly, should find an investor. Like, an up-and-coming rapper, they should have angel investors. You need venture capitalists to invest in music. Because you don't need as much money. You need like a hundred grand. You don't need like two million. But you need a hundred grand to launch a young guy's album. And it sucks if you waste it, if it's a bad investment, but you're probably gonna get your return back."
On his supposed Lorde beef: "So many great albums came out that week, and all people talked about, on all the big press, was Me vs. Lorde, and Kim Kardashian's butt. No one covered any music. And it's funny, because me and Lorde, we're actually friends, and it was a funny, in-jest conversation. So many tabloids used it to make it story, when it was not. Literally, it was such a tongue-in-cheek joke on both sides. I think Taylor Swift is such an impactful character, that it was because she was involved that it became really big."
On how Swifties reacted to his diss about Swift's butt: "Like, Taylor Swift fans are really crazy. They threatened to murder me and stuff. It's really bizarre, and disgusting. They're the worst people in the world. And I'm a pretty big fan. But they're like 'I wish your kids had Down syndrome.' They're so evil. I dissed Lady Gaga before, and the gays were never even this mean. They're funny. These people are like mean-spirited, evil human beings. I'm not a politician. I shouldn't have to be under the microscope for people like that. She has like forty million Twitter fans. Forty million! Yeah. It's crazy. I'm a fan though. Her powers-she's big. She's strong, bro. Taylor Swift is very strategic with her friends and enemies. And I know lots of secrets. I can't divulge, but I know a lot of stuff about her. And she's definitely, there's definitely scary stuff going on. And I'm scared. I'm scared for my life."
Head over to GQ for the full Q&A on Diplo as well as features on Pharrell Williams, FKA Twigs, Iggy Azalea, St. Vincent, Sam Smith, Drake, Lil Wayne, Future, Stevie Wonder, ILOVEMAKONNEN, Mark Ronson, Kim Gordon, Rick Ross, James Blake, Young Thug, Karen O, Britt Daniel, and Nas.
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