Sexual violence and harassment are well known problems in dance clubs that we have not been able to solve yet.

 

If you ask around the electronic dance community, there are some artist names that pop-up paired with these acts of harm, one of which being Diplo.

 

Thomas Wesley Pentz, aka Diplo, is no stranger to the limelight – and he is no stranger to multiple claims of sexual violence and assault, including the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images and videos, nonconsensual filming of explicit images and videos, sexual assault, sexual harassment, solicitation of sexual contact from minors, child pornography, and domestically controlling and destructive behavior that dates back over a decade.

 

In 2005, Pentz’ violent behavior resulted in the destruction of previous girlfriend and co-collaborator M.I.A’s hotel room, where he “broke all the furniture because he was so angry I got picked up by a major label,” when she was signed by Interscope records (she shared in a Rolling Stone Interview).

 

In another effort to control her, M.I.A. shared she was additionally told, “It’s shit, it’s shit, it’s shit. You shouldn’t be on the charts. You shouldn’t be in the magazines and you should not be going to interviews. You should not be doing collaborations with famous people. You should be an underground artist,” by Pentz. Pentz confirmed that, “Nothing she said was a lie,” regarding the insight M.I.A. shared relating to his harmful behavior surrounding her record deal and his destruction of property and emotional abuse, in an interview with Billboard.

 

Three years later (approximately 2008), it has been reported that Diplo began a sexual relationship with then minor, Azealia Banks, at the time she was 17. During this time, Pentz would have been approximately 29-30 years of age. In California, the state where Pentz resides, minors cannot consent to sex with an adult (California Penal Code § 261.5). Azealia Banks later went on to discuss that she had to perform sexual acts in exchange for Pentz' help with her career (see podcast episode). Azealia Banks additionally later commented, “when is he not being exposed for pedophilia,” regarding Pentz’ behavior when prompted on social media.

 

In 2012, MTV referred to Pentz as “dirty young man Diplo.”

 

In 2013, Pentz began the Express Yourself Challenge, encouraging fans to send in videos of them Twerking as part of a lifetime ticket competition. As part of this, 33 high school girls from Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego were suspended, while they were extended free tickets as a reward for their submission. Many users on social media began discussing the retweeting and sharing of photos surrounding sexually suggestive twerking videos performed by minors that were praised and showcased surrounding this contest orchestrated by Pentz. With this twerk-off, Pentz had reportedly asked for ladies and girls to enter this competition, so he could hand select the winners.

 

In 2014, it is interesting to note that Diplo’s Mad Decent Block Party hosted 8 of their 22 shows as all ages events, with one additionally being listed as 16+.

 

In 2015, Pentz continued his path of sexual harassment related to the music industry. During this time, he had stolen intellectual property from a female graphic artist. When made to address this intellectual property infringement, Pentz tweeted, “I credited her, what u want me to do? Eat her out at massage her boobs at the same time as well”… When the artist had addressed his inappropriate response to her defending her intellectual and creative property, Pentz replied to her, “How about u open wide your mouth and massage my balls with your tonsils..also your blocked.”

 

From 2015 to 2021, multiple instances with several victims have surfaced stating Pentz has documented by filming intimate and explicit videos and photographs without consent from parties involved. In one of these instances, Pentz was the respondent in a granted temporary protection order, involving sexually explicit intimate images, he took without consent, that later surfaced online after a victim had spoken out about his sexual abuse. Sexual partners have the reasonable expectation that images nor videos would be taken.

 

During the period from 2015 to present day, there are multiple accounts from various individuals of Pentz soliciting child pornography from minors, through asking girls to “send nudes,” knowing that they are still in high school and under the legal age of consent in California (age 18). 

 

In addition to Pentz’ non-consensual filming of videos and photographing of sexual activities, it has been reported that Pentz also has non-consensually shared these videos with individuals that had not solicited or expressed interest in them. Some of the parties that they were shared with included other girls he was interested in and pursued sexually.

 

While one case regarding sexual violence perpetrated by Pentz (during this span) has been withdrawn from the courts, it is not the only one that is in existence, nor is it the only one that has been brought forward. Attempts from Pentz’ team to claim that the withdrawn lawsuit is the only instance of sexual violence from their client is deliberately misleading and false.

 

Many victims Pentz abuses are young, vulnerable girls and women of color, often Black girls, which follows a consistent pattern. Building upon this, consistent patterns of Pentz’ grooming minors to engage in sexual behavior with him before they turn 18 have surfaced.

 

In addition, discussion of Pentz’ coercive sexually controlling behaviors and displays of sharing intimate images and videos without informed approvals violate California’s definition of consent. According to California Penal Code § 261.6, “’Consent’ shall be defined to mean positive cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will. The person must act freely and voluntarily and have knowledge of the nature of the act or transaction involved.” Various examples of Pentz’ behavior are clear and consistent violations of this law.

 

In 2020, to help address the problems of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and gender discrimination within the music industry the Association for Electronic Music Created a Code of Conduct. As mentioned in the Code of Conduct, “The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to prevent sexual harassment and gender/gender identity discrimination within the electronic music industry and AFEM Member companies by creating an environment where such behavior is not tolerated, through awareness, education, increased respect, protection and prevention.”

 

This Code goes on to share, “Whether during work or at work-related activities, it is the collective responsibility of our Members to act as active bystanders and supportive colleagues when we witness or learn of acts of sexual harassment, gender discrimination or retaliation. To end the pervasive culture of inaction and silence, we must not look the other way. We must intervene to STOP the conduct when we can, SUPPORT those who speak up, and REPORT the conduct.”

 

We are asking you, the electronic music community to help us STOP this conduct where possible, SUPPORT (and believe) survivors coming forward surrounding their experiences of harm from Pentz, and REPORT the harmful conduct when you are able to do so (by sharing these experiences to help create a safer future).  

 

There is reason to wonder why these behavior patterns keep being brushed under the rug… after all, Diplo is worth over $30 million, and the maximum civil penalty in California for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor cannot exceed $10,000.

 

With this access to financial resources and continuing and multiple repeated narratives of private investigators being used to intimidate those that have been harmed by Pentz, are the music industry and major companies turning the other cheek for profit, or will they demand adequate addressing of the continual harmful behavior patterns?

 

We urge companies, organizations, and the like to address the longstanding behavior patterns exhibited by Diplo that have been outlined here.

 

Viewers of the petition:
If you have seen something, please say something. 
Once signed, please pass this along to friends to help spread the movement as we ask for accountability.