DJ and music producer Diplo draws criticism over his property in Portland Jamaica

Diplo, a popular DJ and music producer, is currently facing criticism over his recent acquisition of an estate in Portland, Jamaica. The backlash stems from concerns regarding the impact of foreign ownership on local communities and local residents and activists argue that such purchases can lead to gentrification and displacement of locals.

Diplo was born on November 10, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi of German and English descent.

Diplo, 45, is the co-founder and lead member of Major Lazer. He recently showcased his 62-acre estate in Portland, Jamaica, named Pompey, in a promotional video for the upcoming June edition of Architectural Digest magazine. However, the feature has ignited a wave of criticism from readers of the real estate, architecture, and design publication.

Some readers, drawing parallels to historical exploitation, have expressed outrage over Diplo’s ownership of property in Jamaica and his riding on a horse, claiming that it evokes “colonialism.”

Further, others have cited past allegations of sexual impropriety involving the songwriter/producer, and questioned the appropriateness of him being the prominent feature on the cover of the upcoming volume of the publication.

 According to the Daily Mail, the woman who is identified as Shelly Auguste; in 2019, she claims ‘she gave in to the pressure and lost her virginity to Diplo.’ Legal documents, obtained by TMZ, Auguste claims the 42-year-old performer first contacted her on Twitter when she was just 17 and ‘solicited nude photos of her.’

She also alleges he ‘recorded video of their sexual encounter despite her telling him she didn’t want that’ and tried to ‘coax her into a threesome with a girl she believes was underaged at the time.’ 

After Auguste declined the threesome, she says he ‘forced himself on her as she tried to fight him off.’

Not long after, she says she ‘was diagnosed with chlamydia’ and ‘believes she got it from Diplo because she says he was her only sexual partner at the time.

In his filing, Diplo claimed he and Shelly first met in 2018, when they immediately began exchanging nude photos and videos with each other, which he said he expected to remain private.

The artist also conceded in the filing that he and the woman had sex on a number of different occasions.

However, at some point in 2020, Diplo said his relations with Shelly soured, which is when he claims she began distributing explicit images of both him, and them both together, without his permission.

Labelled as “Inside Diplo’s Private Jungle Paradise”, the magazine welcomed its readers with a tour by Diplo in his private jungle paradise in Jamaica. According to Architectural Digest, since the beginning of his career, Jamaica has been a significant haven of inspiration for the Grammy award-winning DJ and producer so it made perfect sense as the location for his own tropical retreat. After purchasing an ambitious 50 acres of land, Diplo assembled an inspired team of artists to help bring his vision to life over the next 10 years.

The years of work have resulted in an indoor-outdoor concrete villa clinging to the lush hillside. Bridges, trellises, and breezeways connect the space, allowing the jungle to weave into the home as if one. Now Diplo walks around his new home confident that his dreams have been realized through these years of hard work. “This project was all about patience. There were so many ways that it could have failed, but we kept finding solutions. I thought that, if nothing else, at least I own a bunch of banana trees.”

The property, positioned across from the legendary Blue Lagoon, boasts a charming farm with a stable filled with majestic horses, including one uniquely named Megan Thee Stallion.

The exquisite house, known as Pompey—a charming twist on the name of the ancient city Pompeii in southwestern Italy, on the Bay of Naples—captures the essence of Jamaican wilderness right within its walls. “I love that you can walk through the house and sort of see a picture of what we have, the wilderness of Jamaica,” Diplo passionately shared with Architectural Digest.

“For nearly two decades, Jamaica has been my creative sanctuary—it’s where I come to record, to fashion music. We’ve graced numerous stages here. My group, Major Lazer, has deep roots in this vibrant land. Truly, much of my musical success I owe to Jamaica,” the renowned producer expressed with heartfelt gratitude.

Pompey represents a dream seven years in the making. “When I discovered this stunning 50-acre expanse, I had a vivid vision for what I wanted to create. Seven years of dedication, and we finally see it come to life,” Diplo recounted with pride.

Designed by the visionary New York-based architectural firm Freecell, the house is a testament to Diplo’s profound admiration for Brazilian architecture and the striking beauty of brutalist design. “I am enamored with Brazilian architecture; the brutalist style is what makes this place so special to me,” he said with earnest passion.

“What I love about this property is the poured concrete. This is something no one’s really done in the Caribbean and it took us a long time to get it, right? But it was really worth it. I love Brazilian architecture really the brutalist look is what I love about this place big shouts my architects free So they’re based in New York. They did an amazing job with us,” Diplo had said.

However, the producer’s statements about his penchant for Brazilian architecture and the lack of ‘Caribbeanness’ in the design, art, and furnishings of his Jamaican property did not go down well with some of the island’s nationals.

“This is so off the mark,” troy.unofficial noted on Architectural Digest’s Instagram page. “Talking about Jamaica being an inspiration, then showing US, Mexican art, talking about Brazilian architecture, hiring NY architects. Stop taking up space in Jamaica or show us what he’s doing for Jamaica,” he ordered.~ DancehallMag

Readers of Instagram were also fuming over Diplo’s Jamaican property. The popular Jamaican media outlet The Tropix seem to let of a bomb by sharing Diplo’s Brazilian architecture design Jamaican property, and their readers did not hold back with their harsh critiques.

The parish is a sought-after place for high-net-worth creatives, and Diplo’s latest palatial residence makes him a neighbor to reggae singers Chronixx and Alborosie, who both have properties nearby.

“I have been coming to Jamaica for almost 20 years to record, to make music. We have done a lot of concerts here. I have a group called Major Lazer, and I think I owe a lot of my success to Jamaica,” the top-selling producer said.