Diplo Reveals Thirteen Albums that Inspired Him the Most

Jose Andres - January 24, 2017

Last Sunday, January 15th, Diplo took the time to post the top thirteen albums that influenced him the most throughout high school. He even took the initiative to explain the personal meaning each album had to him. The list ranges through everything from rock to electronic music, and gives a widespread depiction of what influenced him in his work with Major Lazer and other artists. You can take a look at the original post here. The list goes as follows:

Weezer – Blue Album: “I didnt know I was into rock music but every song on this album I listened to over and over. Then guitar lines and Rivera voice were so on point to me.”
Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride: “I had an obsession with west coast hip hop. And skateboarding ..everything from Tupac to souls of mischief . It was he production on the album that’s had me mesmerized .. how did u get so many loops in one song .. I even listened to the skits”
DJ Shadow – Entroducing: “I wanted to be a producer once I heard this album and realized u can do anything with just some old records.”
Radiohead – Kid A: “They rewrote the rule book of what a band could sound like .. I would just get stoned and listen to this and always find new things.”
Bone Thugs – E. 1999 Eternal: “Was gonna put 36 mystic styles but I think I listened to this more.”
6. Bad Brains – Bad Brains: “One of the only venues in my town beside under age night clubs was a church that had hard core shows . Florida had a big hardcore punk scene . I find out about bad brains and became obsessed with their movement and right brigade made me punch people.”

7. New Order – Substance: “I had a girlfriend that introduced me to cure Depeche Mode and other new wave bands .. I thought the music was soft but then I learned more about the electronic productions and he connection between hip hop and arthur baker. Bizarre love triangle was an obsession for me.”

8. Portishead – Dummy: “Just perfect combination of goth and hip hop that made me sad and happy at the same time.”

9. Massive Attack – Protection: “Same as Portishead.. the song protection manipulated james brown sample in a way that was hi art to me.”

10. Beastie Boys – Ill Communication: “This album was punk and I loved how they tried to push boundaries whenever they could.”

11. Lee Perry & The Upsetters – Return of the Super Ape: “Lee Perry was my gateway drug into reggae .. before I got heavy into dancehall and all hints Caribbean I was really into dub and lee perry was an actual insane person which makes for good music..”

12./13. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Return to the 36 Chambers / A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders: “A lot of east coast hip hop burned into my subconscious because of rap city .. everyday after school I would watch all videos.. groups like black moon . artifacts . Krs one the fugees. Especially wu tang and tribe and fugees. their album were sonic landscapes.”