5 things we learned from Skrillex, Diplo and Justin Bieber’s Power 96 interview

by: David Klemow Apr 4, 2015

“These guys are changing the game right now. They’re doing something that has never been done,” remarked Justin Bieber from Power 96’s Miami studio.

Ultra Music Festival capped off with a larger-than-life crescendo last weekend as Skrillex and Diplo brought Diddy and Justin Bieber out on stage for the finale of their festival-ending set. Everyone one stage was going wild, the crowd was going wild, and the internet was beside itself as the festival came to an end. But by the next morning, the dust settled, and everyone was either trying to recover from dance music’s favorite weekend, or still trying to wrap their heads around it altogether. After the party ended and everyone was catching their flights back to reality, Skrillex, Diplo and Justin Bieber stuck around in Miami to dish on Power 96 about the trio’s spectacle from the night before. Here are five things we learned from the recent interview:

1. Skrillex and Diplo are doing their first ever radio promotions for the Jack Ü record.

“Everything Internet. That’s the world I come from,” -Skrillex

Skrillex explains when asked why radio has all of a sudden become a facet in Jack Ü’s “homegrown marketing” machine. Factoring in all outlets, from Spotify streams to YouTube views, Skrillex and Diplo continue to dominate newer types of media as per usual, now the aim is to push further into traditional media too. “There was never really an avenue in radio for what we are doing,” explains Sonny, although clearly that dynamic is beginning to shift in a major way.

2. Justin Bieber was actually the one who brought “Where Are Ü Now” to the super group, not the other way around.

“It was a really strong record that Justin wrote, it was like a ballad. I said,’ Yo Sonny, man, listen to this record. We could f*ck this record up, this is crazy,” – Diplo

Surprisingly one of the biggest track’s on Jack Ü’s album, “Where Are Ü Now,” introduced Justin Bieber to the dance music space in a big way. Mad Decent‘s head honcho dishes on the organic nature of Jack Ü’s never-ending collaboration tirade, from linking up at parties to impromptu hotel room recording sessions, and how connecting with the pop icon wound up becoming one of the most talked-about tracks of the year so far.

3. Justin Bieber has plans to include Skrillex and Diplo on the production of his next album.

“Yeah I think me and these guys are going to collaborate on my next record and do something really special.” – Justin Bieber

Skrillex and Diplo each have a mile-long list of collaborations under their belts that span across genres and generations unlike any other musicians around today. From The Doors to Madonna and so many in between, Skrillex and Diplo have been integral in marquee projects and releases over the last few years. Seeing them earn production credits on Bieber’s next record will be anything but surprising. Expect Jack Ü and Justin Bieber to do a lot more together moving forward.

4. According to two of dance music’s most respected taste makers, Justin Bieber is one of the greatest musicians of our day.

“I think he is one of the most talented musicians and singers around” – Skrillex

“I don’t think another artist will be as iconic for a long time” – Diplo

Garnering extremely high praise from two of the heaviest hitters in the entire music industry, Justin Bieber may be reaching a pivotal moment in his career. Whether or not he decides to move into an electronic-influenced direction with his music or not, Skrillex and Diplo’s respective stamps of approval may shift the public’s perception of the young pop star in a positive way moving forward.

5. Jack Ü isnt going anywhere anytime soon.

“I want to just create as much as I can while people are listening to what we are doing. You only have a certain space in music when people are paying attention to you. So when you got that attention, you have to give them as much as you can.” -Diplo

After Sunday’s Ultra-ending performance in front of a crowd that spanned much further than just Bayfront Park, its safe to say Diplo and Skrillex have captured everyone’s attention more so now than ever before. And in an age where the only way is up, where “bigger and better” is always the aim, we can’t wait to see what Sonny and Wes have in store for us next.