Don Pepijn Schipper, known globally as Don Diablo, emerged from Coevorden, Netherlands, to become a central figure in the electronic dance music scene. A multifaceted artist, he transitioned from early production work under various aliases to establishing a significant presence in global festival circuits and digital art markets through the creation of his own specialized record label, HEXAGON.
Early Production and Career Development
Born in 1980, Schipper began his professional music career in 1995. During his first decade of activity, he produced music for diverse acts while releasing material under pseudonyms including The Raven, Batteries Not Included, and Dahlio Bond. In 2004, he launched the Divided project, which produced a notable 2005 dance interpretation of the Philip Bailey and Phil Collins track Easy Lover. By 2006, he shifted toward professional A&R work, signing the UK chart hit Exceeder by Mason, before releasing his own debut studio album, Life Is a Festival, in 2008.
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By 2013, Schipper solidified his standing in electronic music, securing releases on labels such as Axtone, Protocol Recordings, and Spinnin' Records. His 2013 track Starlight (Could You Be Mine) achieved significant chart success on Beatport. During this period, he expanded his performance reach with sold-out tours across Asia and the United States, alongside a residency at the Las Vegas club Light. He also contributed the theme song for the 2013 video game Batman: Arkham Origins.
Label Leadership and Industry Recognition
The establishment of the HEXAGON record label in 2015 marked a shift toward independent curation. The label's debut release, a remix of Alex Adair's You Make Me Feel Better, topped Beatport charts for seven weeks. Schipper's industry influence continued to grow, with DJ Mag naming him the highest climber of the year in 2015. By 2018, 1001Tracklists ranked him as the most supported producer globally. His discography expanded to include the 2018 album Future and the 2021 album FORΞVΞR, the latter featuring collaborations with artists such as Jessie J, Gucci Mane, and Ty Dolla $ign.
Digital Art and Non-Fungible Tokens
Expanding beyond music, Schipper integrated visual concepts into his work, notably partnering with VSquared Labs. In 2021, he entered the NFT space, selling his project Genesis by Don Diablo on the SuperRare marketplace. He later set a primary sales record on the platform with the feature-length project Destination Hexagonia. His digital output gained further institutional attention in 2021 when his work INFINITΞ FUTURΞ was included in a Sotheby's Natively Digital auction.
Fast facts
- Born: 1980, Coevorden, Netherlands
- Record Label: HEXAGON
- Theme song composer: Batman: Arkham Origins
- 2018 Ranking: #1 Producer of the Year, 1001Tracklists
- Notable 2021 NFT: Destination Hexagonia
- Early Alias: Dave Mitchell
- Notable collaboration: Chemicals with Tiësto
Questions readers ask
What is the HEXAGON label?
Founded by Don Diablo in 2015, HEXAGON is a record label and radio show platform that serves as a primary outlet for his music and electronic dance releases.
Has Don Diablo worked with other famous artists?
Yes, his remix compilations include work for artists such as Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Dua Lipa.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: electro
