Don Diablo
Don Diablo | |
|---|---|
Don Diablo in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Born | Don Pepijn Schipper 27 February 1980 |
| Origin | Coevorden, Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | Keyboards |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | www |
Don Pepijn Schipper (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdɔn pəˈpɛin ˈsxɪpər]; born 27 February 1980), better known by his stage name Don Diablo, is a Dutch DJ, digital artist, record producer, musician and songwriter of electronic dance music. He is one of the pioneers of the future house genre and was ranked sixth in the Top 100 DJs – 2020 list by DJ Mag.[1] He was also ranked number one Producer of the Year for 2018 by 1001Tracklists.[2] In 2016, he was ranked the number one Future House Artist of the Year on Beatport.[3]
In 2015, he founded his own record label, HEXAGON.
Career
1995–2005: early years
Diablo played in clubs all over the world and at various festivals including Glastonbury, Lowlands, Creamfields & Ministry Of Sound.
Between 1995 and 2005 Diablo produced for other acts and bands and released his own music under different aliases including "Dave Mitchell", "The Raven", "Batteries Not Included", "Dahlio Bond" & "Skip Donner".
In 2004, he launched his separate music project called Divided. The project had two hits "The Music, the People" credited to Divided featuring Diablo in 2004, followed by "Easy Lover" in 2005, credited to Diablo presents Divided, a dance remake of the joint hit of Philip Bailey and Phil Collins in 1985, Divided remake coming after twenty years of the release of the original.
2006–2009: Life Is a Festival
In 2006, Diablo was signed and A&R'ed the UK top 3 chart hit "Exceeder" by Mason. The record was originally signed to Middle of the Road, a record label set up by Diablo and Amsterdam-based club promoter Roy Avni (Electro Nation). In 2008, Diablo released his debut album "Life Is a Festival". In 2009, Diablo released "Hooligans", a collaboration with English singer, songwriter, rapper and record producer Example.
2010–2013
In 2010, a collaboration with Dragonette resulted in the single "Animale" that charted in the Dutch Singles Chart as well as the Belgian Ultratip chart. The music video was also nominated for a TMF Award in the Netherlands.
In 2013 Diablo released new songs on Axwell's Axtone label, Nicky Romero's Protocol Recordings, Steve Angello's Size X imprint and Spinnin' Records label. He created the theme song for the 2013 video game Batman: Arkham Origins.
His song "Starlight (Could You Be Mine)" was debuted during the last Swedish House Mafia concert, after Axwell signed it to his label.[4] The song became a Beatport Top 5 hit, and later several of his other releases reached the Beatport Top 10.[5]
In 2013, Pete Tong debuted six of Don's releases on his BBC Radio 1 show. He had a residency at Las Vegas' night club "Light", played the Departures Ibiza closing party alongside Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso, and toured the UK. He also had sold-out solo tours in Asia and the United States in this period.
2014–2016
In 2014, Diablo premiered his new visual concept "The Hexagon" with Los Angeles-based visual company "VSquared Labs".
In October 2014, Diablo made his debut on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list at No. 82.[6] In October 2015, Diablo was awarded with DJ Magazine's "highest climber of the year" prize, jumping 52 places to No. 30 on the Top 100 DJs list for 2015.[7]
Diablo launched his Hexagon record label. The first release, a remix of Alex Adair's "You Make Me Feel Better" held the no. 1 position on Beatport for almost seven weeks and the label was awarded "Best New Label of The Year".[8]
In 2015 his HEXAGON radio show was aired in over 35 countries and holds a top 10 position in the iTunes podcast section every week.
Diablo has directed most of his own music videos. In 2013 Warner Brothers asked Don to create the worldwide theme song for the much acclaimed Batman: Arkham Origins game.
In 2015 Diablo collaborated with fellow Dutch DJ Tiësto on the track "Chemicals" featuring vocals from Danish singer and producer Thomas Troelsen.
Throughout 2016 and 2017, Diablo went on Tour Across Europe, this sold out across multiple venues including his first headline show in London.
2017: Past.Present.Future
In 2017, Don Diablo released Past.Present.Future, a compilation of previously released tracks, including hits "On My Mind," "Cutting Shapes," and his collaboration with Tiësto "Chemicals" featuring Thomas Troelsen.[9]
Diablo won DJ Mag's 2017 Highest Future House award and was ranked #11 overall in the DJ Mag Top 100 Poll.[10]
A packed global tour schedule saw him play the mainstages of Tomorrowland, EDC, Creamfields, Mysteryland, Lollapalooza, and Ultra Music Festival whilst selling out his Headline Artist shows in the UK, US & European markets.
In November 2017, Diablo released "Take Her Place" with electronic trio Arizona.
2018–2023: Future and Forever
On 19 January 2018, Diablo released the seventh single from Future, "People Say", with actor/songwriter, Paije Richardson. On 8 February, he embarked on his sold out Future North American Tour, making stops at Los Angeles' Fonda Theatre and New York's Terminal 5, among others.[11] His second studio album, Future, was released via his label Hexagon on 9 February 2018.[12][13] On 13 March, he released the eighth single to Future entitled "Head Up" with singer James Newman. On 23 March, he released the ninth single to FUTURE entitled "Believe", available on the deluxe edition (released same day) with actor/singer-songwriter Ansel Elgort.[14] On 25 April he released the tenth single to FUTURE entitled "Give Me Love" with singer Calum Scott.[15] On 15 October 2018, he ranked #1 as the world's most DJ-supported producer,[2] according to 1001Tracklists, a website logging DJ support from festival recordings, radio shows, and DJ mixes.
In 2018, Diablo released his first remix compilation "Reconstructions".[16] In 2021 he released "Reconstructions 2".[17] The compilations include remixes he did for: Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa, Panic! At The Disco, Ellie Goulding, Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Coldplay and others.
On 18 September 2020, he launched Camp Kubrick with Denzel Chain, an 80s style inspired duo releasing the single "Johnny's Online".[18]
On 20 March 2021, "Genesis by Don Diablo"[19] was sold on NFT marketplace "SuperRare". On 9 April 2021, Diablo broke the primary sales record at SuperRare with his feature length NFT project "Destination Hexagonia".[20]
On 11 June 2021, Diablo announced his partnership with environmental charity organization "Justdiggit"[21] in collaboration with the United Nations (not to be confused with the dance music act Uniting Nations). Their Stream-To-Regreen campaign kicked off with a collaboration between Don Diablo and Ty Dolla $ign. On July 2021, the second Star Wars x Don Diablo[22] collectible launched in collaboration with Lucasfilm, Disney and StockX. On 10 September 2021, Diablo released his album "FORΞVΞR"[23] which included collaborations with: Ty Dolla $ign, Trevor Daniel, Jessie J, Galantis, Gucci Mane, Emeli Sandé, Nate Dogg, Andy Grammer and more. On June 2021, Diablo was included in the Natively Digital Auction by Sotheby's Auction House with his work "INFINITΞ FUTURΞ".[24] His second work auctioned by Sotheby's, titled "HEXHIBIT III"[25] was auctioned on 7 December 2021. The work was publicly premiered on the Museumplein in Amsterdam and then exhibited at the MOCO Museum, also in Amsterdam.
2024-present: Aliases and collaborations
On 19 January 2024, Diablo launched his lo-fi alias Lunar Lo-Fi, with the single "Eclipse".[26]
On 24 January 2025, Diablo launched his drum & bass alias "Control Alt Delete" (stylised "CONTROL ALT DΞLΞTΞ"), with the single "Maniac",[27] a cover of Michael Sembello’s 80’s hit. On May 30, 2025, he released the single "Doing Nothin'" alongside Nelly Furtado; the song was an interpolated remix to Furtado's 2012 single "Parking Lot".[28][29]
Discography
- 2 Faced (2004)
- Life Is a Festival (2008)
- Future (2018)
- Forever (2021)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Award | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | TMF Awards[30] | Best Music Video | "Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever" | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Music Video | "Animale" | Nominated | |
| 3FM Awards | Best Artist Dance | Don Diablo | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Nominated | |||
| 2016 | EMPO Awards | Producer of the Year | Won | |
| Best Future House DJ | Won | |||
| 2017 | WDM Radio Awards | Best Electro House DJ | Don Diablo | Nominated |
| Best Remix | "Keeping Your Head Up" | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Best Electro House DJ | Don Diablo | Won | |
| Best Remix | "Something Just like This" | Won |
DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs
| Year | Position | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 82 | New Entry | [31] |
| 2015 | 30 | Up 52 | [32] |
| 2016 | 15 | Up 15 | [33] |
| 2017 | 11 | Up 4 | [34] |
| 2018 | 7 | Up 4 | [35] |
| 2019 | 6 | Up 1 | [36] |
| 2020 | 6 | No Change | [37] |
| 2021 | 7 | Down 1 | [38] |
| 2022 | 9 | Down 2 | [39] |
| 2023 | 13 | Down 4 | [40] |
| 2024 | 15 | Down 2 | [41] |
1001Tracklists Top 101 Producers
| Year | Position | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 | New Entry | [42] |
| 2017 | 2 | Up 5 | [43] |
| 2018 | 1 | Up 4 | [44] |
| 2019 | 5 | Down 4 | [45] |
| 2020 | 8 | Down 3 | [46] |
| 2021 | 38 | Down 30 | [47] |
| 2022 | 44 | Down 6 | [48] |
| 2023 | 59 | Down 15 | [49] |
| 2024 | 32 | Up 27 | [50] |
References
- ^ "Top 100 DJs". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
- ^ a b "Top 101 Producers Of 2018". 30 September 2018.
- ^ "Say Hello To The Newly Announced #1 Future House DJ In The World". 29 December 2016.
- ^ Berecz, Aaron. "Don Diablo & Matt Nash - Starlight (Could You Be Mine)". DJ Mag Canada. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ "Beatport Top Tracks August 6th 2013". Beatport. 6 August 2013.
- ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2014 - Don Diablo". DJ Mag. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
- ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2015 - Don Diablo". DJ Mag. 9 October 2015.
- ^ "Beatport Breakthrough Labels of 2015: EDM". Beatport. 2 December 2015.
- ^ "Past.Present.Future". Spotify. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
- ^ "Don Diablo Wins DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2017 Highest Future House". DJ Mag. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
- ^ "Don Diablo Announces 2018 North American Tour". DJ Mag. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
- ^ "Don Diablo Reveals His New Album At Last". Your EDM. 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2018-01-25.
- ^ Diablo, Don (30 January 2018). "FUTURE: 09.02.2018". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
- ^ "Don Diablo Drops FUTURE Deluxe Edition Feat. Ansel Elgort on Believe: Listen". Billboard. 2018-03-23. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
- ^ "Don Diablo - Give Me Love (feat. Calum Scott)". We Rave You. 2018-04-25. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
- ^ "Reconstructions". Spotify. 2018-08-16. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
- ^ "Reconstructions II". Spotify. 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
- ^ Stone, Katie (2020-09-18). "Don Diablo and Denzel Chain Launch 80's-Inspired "Camp Kubrick" Project with New Single "Johnny's Online"". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
- ^ Chris W., Lao. "Don Diablo's Genesis NFT Sells for $200,000". Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Don Diablo world's first NFT concert 'DESTINATION HEXAGONIA'". Groove Cartel. 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ Leiber, Sarah. "Don Diablo Teams Up With Ty Dolla $ign on Charity Single 'Too Much To Ask'". Broadway World. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ Bhanawat, Akshay (22 September 2021). "Don Diablo Launches Star Wars x Hexagon By Don Diablo Capsule Collection". The Music Essentials. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ Spilsbury, Jack (11 September 2021). "Don Diablo releases highly anticipated album 'FOREVER': Listen". We Rave You. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ^ Hissong, Samantha (13 September 2021). "Don Diablo Is Building a Massive NFT (Literally)". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
- ^ Joy Staff, EDM (8 December 2021). "DON DIABLO SELLS NEW SOTHEBY'S PIECE 'HΞXHIBIT III' NFT WILL GO ON EXHIBITION AT MOCO MUSEUM". Edmjoy.com. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Eclipse - Single by Lunar Lo-Fi on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "Maniac - Single by CONTROL ALT DELETE on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ Eede, Christian (4 June 2025). "Don Diablo and Nelly Furtado link up on new single, 'Doing Nothin'': Listen". DJ Mag. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Don Diablo announces new single with Nelly Furtado 'Doing Nothin"". Your EDM. May 27, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Nominaties TMF Awards 2007: FMC NLPop". Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2014". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2015". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2016". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2017". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2018". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2019". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2020". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2021". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2022". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2023". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ "DJMag.com: Top 100 Djs 2024". DJMag.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
- ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2016". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2017". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2018". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2019". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2020". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2021". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2022". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2023". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 1001Tracklists. "Top 101 Producers Of 2024". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
External links
- Official website
- "Don Diablo To Aspiring DJs: Be A Musician, Not A Technician" - Popspoken interview with Diablo
- "Don Diablo & Matt Nash - Starlight (Could You Be Mine) Official Video". Axtone. 7 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.