Diplo, the audacious pioneer of electronic music, rang in 2025 with a revelation as mind-bending as his beats. During CNN’s New Year’s Eve special, the renowned DJ nonchalantly admitted he was on LSD while arriving at the event via helicopter.
“Right now. On the helicopter, on my way here… I’m not even lying,”
Diplo confessed, leaving hosts Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen in stitches of disbelief.
As fireworks lit up the night sky, so did Diplo’s candid declaration, offering fans yet another reason to marvel at his unpredictable genius.
CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve broadcast is known for its memorable moments, but Diplo’s live admission was the cherry on top of a surreal celebration. The exchange began innocently enough, with Cohen probing Diplo about unusual places he’d taken LSD. Diplo’s deadpan response—”Right now”—triggered a wave of hilarity. Cooper dissolved into laughter, while Cohen, visibly flabbergasted, followed up with,
“Wait, are you serious?”
Unfazed, Diplo elaborated, mentioning he was “microdosing” but hinting he may have “macrodosed” earlier in the day. Cooper, still recovering, quipped,
“We don’t recommend this at home,”
sealing the segment with a wink to viewers.
For Diplo, this wasn’t just another headline-worthy moment—it’s part of his ethos. The DJ has long been vocal about using LSD as a tool for creative exploration and focus. Whether running marathons or crafting trance-infused tracks, Diplo believes psychedelics sharpen his perspective.
In 2023, he famously completed the Los Angeles Marathon under the influence of LSD, describing the experience as one of heightened sensory awareness. His approach aligns with trance music’s ethos of exploring altered states and breaking boundaries, making his revelation less of a shock to those familiar with the EDM world.
Diplo’s openness mirrors the larger culture of electronic music, where experimentation—both musical and personal—is celebrated. From the pioneering days of trance to modern-day festivals, psychedelics have fueled innovation and inspired some of the genre’s most iconic creations. Diplo’s admission joins a storied legacy, with artists like A$AP Rocky and even Steve Jobs having credited LSD for transformative insights and creativity.
For trance lovers, Diplo’s helicopter escapade is quintessential rave lore. As one fan put it on social media,
“Diplo didn’t just bring the vibes to New Year’s—he lived them.”
Diplo fans, known for their appreciation of his unpredictability, have embraced this moment with their signature humor. Memes flooded the internet, imagining Diplo flying above New York City, channeling the ultimate festival high. “Was Diplo DJ-ing a cosmic rave in his own head while soaring through the skies?” joked one Twitter user. Another remarked,
“This explains why Diplo always looks like he’s having a better time than anyone else.”
Love him or question his methods, Diplo remains an enigmatic force in electronic music. His ability to blend humor, honesty, and artistry keeps him firmly rooted in the cultural zeitgeist. From chart-topping hits to helicopter trips on live TV, Diplo proves that staying true to one’s unconventional self is the ultimate key to relevance.
