RSSDiplo [extended]
- Piracy Funds Terrorism, Vol. 1 [no label, 2004] A-
- Florida [Big Dada, 2004] *
- Express Yourself [Mad Decent, 2012] B+
- Random White Dude Be Everywhere [Mad Decent, 2014] A-
- Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü [Mad Decent, 2015] **
See Also:
Consumer Guide Reviews:
M.I.A. Vs. Diplo: Piracy Funds Terrorism, Vol. 1 [no label, 2004]
Aesthetically, the choice is more like M.I.A. vs. the world, and though I know it's wrong of me, I'll take M.I.A. I'll take the conscious, autonomous individual artist, oppressive concept though that may be, over the welter of cultural forces from which she emerged. With a less complex and compelling artist I might make the opposite choice, though even the hippest mash-ups and mix tapes have less to say than they're given credit for. But I find more fascination--and pleasure, if not variety--in M.I.A. juxtaposed against herself than in, for instance, favela funk juxtaposed against "Walk Like an Egyptian." Which isn't to deny I also find all these good things in favela funk juxtaposed against "Walk Like an Egyptian." A-
Florida [Big Dada, 2004]
Unlike true turntablism fans, I'm glad Shadow casts such a shadow ("Big Lost," "Sarah"). *
Express Yourself [Mad Decent, 2012]
It is a fate toward which all producers converge to be only as good as their frontpeople. So give it up to Sabi on "No Problem" and especially My Name Is Kay on the woozily provocative "Barely Standing"--both dubstep-identified, some would note, but I'm dubious--for lifting this six-song EP off its indubitably excellent beats. Of which the most self-sustaining are the moombahton "Butters Theme" and yet another in the long line of unclassifiable oddities that bear the title "Set It Off." B+
Random White Dude Be Everywhere [Mad Decent, 2014]
Seven proven bangers gussied up with five remixes--in short, the obvious shit his base long ago had enough of d/b/a music for normal people seeking a pick-me-up. I suppose we could do without the remixes, but hell, excess is why he's richer than he is famous, and they're certainly not painful. In fact, I'm glad I don't have to choose between the two versions of the objectively counter-revolutionary "Revolution" or the N.O. bouncy "Express Yourself." I'm also glad a prev unrel featuring the prev useless Waka Flocka Flame bears the fetching title "Techno." A-
Skrillex and Diplo: Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack Ü [Mad Decent, 2015]
Powerhouses sucker-punch hardest with help from 2 Chainz and Kiesza--not, hilarious idea and predictable profit-taker though it is, Justin Bieber ("Febreze," "Take Ü There") **