Diplo’s 15 Best Productions

In 2004, Diplo burst into the consciousnesses of industry insiders, artists, and intrepid fans alike, setting forth the blueprint for his future success with a slew of releases. On Favela on Blast and Piracy Funds Terrorism (M.I.A.’s breakthrough mixtape), Diplo displayed the taste-making, scene-and-sound-selecting abilities that would transform him into a high-profile, globe-trotting DJ, shedding wider light on regional sounds across the worlds. Alongside those releases, Diplo also put out Florida, a full length instrumental album that owed more to DJ Shadow than the dance floor. On Florida, Diplo displayed his eclectic ear, a surprising gift for melody, and all of the eccentricities that would weave their way through later production. Diplo’s track record as a DJ is well known and often celebrated, but it is his production that has kept him in demand with artists as wide ranging as Das Racist and Beyonce, Die Antwoord and Usher.

Here are his 15 best moments behind the boards.