Seems like every DJ and producer is coming out with a radio show, doesn’t it? Diplo is the latest to do so. On April 4, the Philadelphia-based producer and one-half of Major Lazer announced the news on April 4 through the Mad Decent blog. He wrote to fans: “After years of podcasts and countless mixes, we are extremely excited to step up to the big leagues and premier our brand new weekly radio show ‘Diplo & Friends’ on the iconic BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra!”
Diplo & Friends makes its debut on April 7 from 1 to 3 a.m. GMT (8 to 10 p.m. for U.S. Eastcoasters and 5 to 7 p.m. on the West Coast) and, from that point on, will fill that Saturday time slot.
With the Mad Decent operator at the helm, Diplo & Friends will feature exclusive mixes from the producer, other artists on his label, up-and-comers, and established DJs. The debut program includes one hour of Lunice and another of Paul Devro – both Canadian producers with a hip-hop vibe. Relatively new to the EDM scene, Lunice, from Montreal, is best known for his live mixing of bass, beats, and electronic elements. While releasing a few remixes through Mad Decent, Lunice recently put out a solo EP, titled Stacker Upper, on Scottish label LuckyMe. Devro, one of the artists signed to Mad Decent, is also the label’s creative director and was selected by Diplo for the role.
Rising to mainstream status, Diplo, born Thomas Wesley Pentz, is busy with other projects as of recent, including a reggae album with Snoop Dogg, collaborating with guitarist/songwriter Jack White, doing the AXE One Night Only Tour, promoting coffee table book 128 Beats Per Minute: Diplo’s Visual Guide to Music, Culture, and Everything in Between, and putting out a snippet of a new Major Lazer track.
