Synopses & Reviews
Known internationally as a curator and influencer amongst the world’s top DJs, producers, and artists, Wesley Pentz, better known as Diplo, is at the nexus of music, fashion, and cultural trends. His record label Mad Decent has helped bring Brazilian baile funk, Angolan Kuduro, and other unknown music to clubs around the world, while his work as a producer has brought a unique sound to hits like M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now,” and Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls).”
128 Beats Per Minute follows Diplo on this fantastic journey, from his involvement with dub reggae in Jamaica to the electro/techno underground in Tel Aviv. Each chapter chronicles his tastes and travels, complete with tweets and playlists, as documented by photographer Shane McCauley. 128 Beats Per Minute provides unique access to the hottest scenes shaping music’s landscape today.
About the Author
Thomas Wesley Pentz, a.k.a. Diplo, is a Philadelphia-based DJ, producer, and songwriter. As the founder of Mad Decent Records and not-for-profit organization Heaps Decent, he has worked with artists including M.I.A., Shakira, Snoop Dogg, and Bruno Mars and is currently working on upcoming albums with Santigold and Chris Brown, among others. Alexander Wang is an American fashion designer and was awarded the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2008. Photographer Shane McCauley is a New York-based photographer and film maker. McCauley grew up outside of Philadelphia and met Diplo in 2003 while shooting his now legendary party Hollertronix while on assignment for The Fader Magazine, and they now collaborate on a youth culture column for Vanity Fair. McCauley also shoots for Flaunt, Rolling Stone and Warner Bros. Music Group.