Diplo Finds His Own TikToks 'Cringey' and Thinks the App Is a 'Young Person's Format': 'I'm 45'
The deejay and producer opened up about TikTok's role in the music industry during an interview at Cannes Lions
Diplo is all about staying on-trend — no matter how awkward it may feel at times.
In conversation with The Wall Street Journal's Katherine Finnerty at Journal House at Cannes Lions on Wednesday, June 19, the DJ opened up about the role TikTok plays in the music industry — and why he feels like he has no option but to join in.
"For me as a musician... I'm also a DJ/producer — I wasn't a brand. When you watch Doja Cat or Lil Nas X on their TikTok, they are just geniuses with it," Diplo said. "They know how to work that medium so well."
He added, "I'm 45. When I make a TikTok I always think it's pretty cringey what I'm doing. No matter what, even if it's cool — sometimes I make things that are funny but it's really a young person's format."
When asked why he uses the social platform if he finds his own videos make him uncomfortable, the "Elastic Heart" performer said that "if you're making music," you "have to."
"You want to be on every medium because you want everybody to find you," he said, adding that he uses TikTok "more educationally."
"I'm 45. My algorithm is people that are using chainsaws and — I don't know — sports. Weird. It's not all music," he continued.
Maurizio Martorana for the Wall Street Journal
Diplo in conversation with Katherine Finnerty at Cannes Lions on June 19, 2024Elsewhere in the interview, Diplo also shared his thoughts on the future of AI, his sons being off social media and his fitness routine. Learn more more Diplo's conversation on https://journalhouse.com/cannes.
He joined other guests like José Andrés, will.i.am, Kevin Durant, Alexis Ohanian, Princess Beatrice, Yara & Keri Shahidi, Ashley Flowers, David Levy of Horizon Sports, Tony Gallagher and more.
Earlier this month, Diplo was featured on a new song with Kylie Minogue and Orville Peck called "Midnight Ride." The trio debuted the track at WeHo Pride on June 2.
In April 2023, Peck stood up for Diplo when internet users came for him for opening up about his sexuality.
"I will say that he is a very sweet guy and he's very open-minded, and I think he — just like any of us in the world — should be allowed the freedom and the space to explore whoever he is going to be or wants to be," Peck told PEOPLE at the time.
"And none of us need to police it or worry about it," Peck, 36, added. "He can have his own path and journey."
Up next, Diplo is gearing up to kick off his summer tour on Saturday, June 22, in Athens, Greece and will wrap on Nov. 10 in Miami.
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Read the original article on People.