Diplo’s New Mini Documentary Proves That His Life Is Really, Really Cool Man

DJs aren’t exactly known for their candid confessionals, but Diplo’s new mini documentary bucks the trend. Offering a rare insight into the emotional tolls of touring the world and non-stop partying, the doco is a revealing look at how fame has left one of Florida’s biggest hip-hop nerds into a king lonely at the top.

Just kidding.

Florida To California is basically an eight-minute humblebrag. Directed by Kyle DePinna (better known as Mad Decent DJ Neo Fresco), the mini doco spans Diplo’s career from height to height.

Released on YouTube to celebrate Diplo’s latest EP, California, the documentary begins with footage of Diplo recording his first album, 2004’s Florida. Via narration, Diplo reflects how growing up there exposed him to a multitude of genres, from punk to Miami base and classic rock. That proved useful when he made the move to California, working across genres and taking pretty much whatever he could.

“I just took advantage of all my opportunities, with all these guys — just saying ‘how about we do this and this?'” he narrates. “And not really trying to make a big hit or club record, but just make something cool that wasn’t there before.”

But his current love is hip-hop, and Diplo takes the time to say that his latest rapper-heavy EP couldnt exist in 2004, as the genre lacked the “open mindedness” it has now.

For fans, the doco is a delightful retrospective over the past decade-and-a-bit, chopping goof out footage with a lot of familiar faces, including M.I.A., Madonna, Post Malone, MØ, Justin Bieber. It’s a reminder about just how prolific Diplo is as a producer. As album covers flash before us, we’re reminded he’s worked with virtually everyone.

It’s around the half way mark that the documentary kind of… gives up on saying anything. Instead, it becomes a montage of cool shit and Instagram stories, appropriately set to his latest new single ‘Look Back’.

And so we look back as Diplo backflips from a yacht! Diplo hangs out with Madonna! Diplo puts fidget spinners on his face! Diplo snowboards! Diplo makes US $15 million in 2015 (last year, it was US $28.5 million)! Diplo is the first American act to play in Cuba!

Folks, it’s good to be Diplo.

At the least, you could never say he lacks self-awareness. Last year, he executive produced What Would Diplo Do?, a comedy mini-series which saw James Van Der Beek play a slightly thick-headed version of the DJ.

Watch Florida To California below.

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Article image by Shane McCauley