We sat down with the EDM powerhouse and digital artist to discuss his latest releases, HEXAGON label, his monikers, and so much more.
For over a decade, Don Diablo has been one of dance music’s most forward-thinking artists, producing scene-defining tracks like 2015’s “On My Mind” and 2016’s “Cutting Shapes,” while collaborating with superstars like Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber.
But for the 45-year-old Dutch DJ/producer – aka Don Pepijn Schipper – success was never really about the fame. He says it all began with cracked software, a $5 mic, and a second-hand PC – he was just a kid chasing a dream, wanting to make something out of nothing to then share it with the world. Nonetheless, these days, he’s headlining shows, selling out massive venues, and performing on music festival main stages, where he delivers multisensory spectacles that blend sound, storytelling, and technology.
When it comes to his studio time, Diablo builds tracks from inspiration more than he does formula. A typical session could begin from a vocal chop, a weird synth, or even a splash of color. He’s embraced a vibe-first philosophy – and this mindset has birthed not only his signature sound, but also experimental side projects like his drum-n-bass alter ego, CONTROL ALT DELETE, and his lo-fi moniker, Lunar Lo-Fi.
Whether he’s directing his own music videos, tending to his HEXAGON label or releasing chart-topping singles (and NFTs), Don Diablo operates on a frequency uniquely his own. His digital concert film NFT, DESTINATION HEXAGONIA, sold for $1.2 million in four minutes, cementing his place as one of crypto art’s biggest names. His artwork has broken records on SuperRare and landed in globally renowned galleries like Art Basel and the Venice Biennale – even auctioning pieces through Sotheby’s. In the fashion world, his HEXAGON imprint has released limited capsule collections with Disney, Netflix, and Lucasfilm, which included viral drops themed around “Star Wars” and “Stranger Things.”
So far, 2025 has been fruitful – and it expects to get even busier. He started the summer off with the anthemic “Doing Nothin’,” featuring Nelly Furtado, and then followed up with his Sweat It Out debut, “The Devil Works Hard,” which explores a darker, groovier territory more suited for underground clubbers.
After wrapping a notable stretch of July shows in Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Toronto, and New York City (Rooftop at Pier 17) – as well as massive international stops in Saudi Arabia, France, and Spain – Don Diablo continues his global run throughout the month of August and beyond. Upcoming appearances include mainstage sets at Sunrise Festival (Poland), Sziget (Hungary), Untold Festival (Romania), and Amnesia Ibiza, before culminating with a special hometown performance at Paradiso in Amsterdam in September.
We recently caught up with the Future House pioneer to discuss it all.
DJ LIFE: How did you get your start as a DJ/producer, and what came first?
Don Diablo: Producing came first. I was just a kid with a second-hand PC and a fascination for sound. DJing followed naturally, as I wanted to test my own music on real crowds. It wasn’t about fame or money back then, just the raw love for creating something out of nothing and sharing that energy.
DJ LIFE: Can you recall your first DJ set? What was the set-up like when you learned how to DJ?
Don Diablo: My first real DJ gig was at a youth center in my hometown [Coevorden]. Two belt-drive turntables, no sync button, and a mixer that crackled every time you touched it. It was all about vinyl, timing, and heart. You had to feel the blend. There was no safety net.
DJ LIFE: How about your current DJ set-up?
Don Diablo: My set-up is basic, but solid: four Pioneer CDJ-3000s and a Pioneer DJM-A9 mixer, We work with show control to time certain SFX, but nothing is time coded at the moment. I still mix live and try to react to the room in real-time as much as possible.
DJ LIFE: You recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of your HEXAGON label. Tell us about that and how you and the team commemorated the milestone.
Don Diablo: It’s been an emotional ride. HEXAGON was never just a label, it’s a movement, a family. For the 10-year anniversary, we focused on quality over quantity: special releases, limited merch, curated vinyl drops, and a renewed vision. I also threw a few intimate sets for die-hard fans, bringing it back to the essence. I honestly feel like the best is yet to come.
DJ LIFE: What was the vision for you when you started the label and how is it the same and different than it is today? Any specific plans for the future of HEXAGON?
Don Diablo: The original vision was simple: create a home for futuristic sounds that didn’t quite fit in anywhere else. Over the years, it evolved into a global brand, on a musical level but also on a fashion level, which resulted into global collabs with “Star Wars” and “Stranger Things,” amongst others. I’m currently scaling back to that original rawness. Expect more curation, fewer releases, and deeper artist development. The future is boutique.
DJ LIFE: “Doing Nothin’,” your collab with Nelly Furtado, kicked off the summer. How did this track and pairing come together and what can you share with us about the record?
Don Diablo: I’ve always admired Nelly’s voice and authenticity. We linked up after Nelly asked me to remix one of her singles and the energy just flowed. She is simply an amazing human being on all levels. “Doing Nothin’” is a carefree anthem, a playful response to the pressure of constant productivity. It’s about presence, vibes, summer breeze, and subtle rebellion.
DJ LIFE: You’ve made your debut on Sweat It Out with “The Devil Works Hard.” How did this project come to be and what made Sweat It Out the proper home for this record?
Don Diablo: That track was born out of a darker, more groove-driven space I’ve been exploring lately. Tseba is a highly creative and talented producer and Sweat It Out is a label that champions individuality and raw rhythm. This one’s for the club warriors… a little cheeky, a little devilish, but deeply rooted in house music.
DJ LIFE: When it comes to your time in the studio, do you get to work in-person with your collaborators, or does it consist of mostly virtual sessions? Do you prefer one over the other?
Don Diablo: I love the magic of being in a room with someone, but logistically, most sessions are remote these days. That said, tech has evolved, and energy translates, even digitally. I don’t mind either way, as long as we’re both vibing and chasing the same spark.
DJ LIFE: On the production front, when did you first begin producing and what was your initial studio set-up like?
Don Diablo: I started producing when I was 13. My “studio” was an old PC with cracked software, a $5 mic, and zero acoustic treatment. But I had a vivid imagination and a hunger to learn. That’s all you really need to start.
DJ LIFE: What can you tell us about your current studio set-up and DAW? Fill us in on what a typical studio session is like for you…
Don Diablo: My current setup is Ableton Live as my main DAW, a heapload of plug-ins, and a bunch of analog synths, plus a stack of weird little gadgets for texture. To be honest, I usually end up doing most of the work in the box. A typical session starts with a concept, a melody, a vocal chop, or even a color or image, and it builds from there. I don’t chase perfection. I chase feeling, a vibe. I like it when things feel a bit off… a bit weird and wonky.
DJ LIFE: Can you dive into your CONTROL ALT DELETE alter-ego for us and what it means to you? What do you hope for it to mean to your fans?
Don Diablo: CONTROL ALT DELETE is me breaking free from expectations. It’s a mix of raw and emotional drum-n-bass, a genre I’ve always loved, but never publicly embraced in a big way until recently. It’s my way of reconnecting with my inner rebel. For fans, I hope it becomes a space for emotional release and sonic adventure.
DJ LIFE: Now that we’re more than halfway through 2025, what does the rest of the year have in store for you?
Don Diablo: The rest of 2025 is stacked. More CONTROL ALT DELETE releases, more Lunar Lo-Fi – my Lo-Fi alter ego – releases and new Don Diablo collabs with some unexpected names and… my return to the Paradiso in Amsterdam… a very special full-circle moment. I’m also experimenting with new live visuals and planning something immersive that blurs the line between a concert and a cinematic experience. Let’s just say… the future is under construction!