Diplo wants artists to make songs that last "a lifetime".

Diplo

Diplo

The 37-year-old American DJ - whose real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz - has admitted he thinks electronic dance music is in "decline", and urges musicians to create songs that will last "longer than the summer" and not just for "another radio cycle".

Speaking about the music industry to EDMsauce.com, Diplo - who is the co-creator and frontman of Major Lazer - said: "Some of these [artists] are great that are part of [dance music] and make great music but for the most part you already see that it's in decline.

"There hasn't been a dance song on the radio except Calvin Harris and Rihanna this while year.

"[You have to think] What's going to make people think about my band or my songs longer than the summer? You know, that's what you should think about your position. How can this song last another lifetime not just another radio cycle?"

And the music producer believes the industry is making a U-turn and moving back to a surge in hip hop music.

He explained: "I think people have moved on. They've moved on to hip-hop again."

Meanwhile Diplo has admitted he has tried exploring other career paths but was never any good at anything other than music.

He explained: "I've tried doing jobs I was just bad at them, I couldn't keep one. I think music was the release. I don't think was great at it. You're kind of faking it until you make it.

"If you can learn how to survive and make music and be a creative person in Philly [Philadelphia], you can make music anywhere. It's so tough just to make a living."

And the 'Cold Water' hitmaker has revealed Philadelphia and singer songwriters Spank Rock and Plastic Little inspired him.

He said: "Philly was very inspirational. It helped me to have the courage to do what we do.

"[Spank rock and Plastic Little ] which are two bands who are very very influential to me, they were part of this upcoming genre."


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