Express Yourself

Released in 2012, 'Express Yourself' served as a pivotal bridge between Diplo's underground global-bass explorations and his eventual dominance of the mainstream EDM landscape. While his earlier work with Major Lazer leaned more heavily into pure dancehall, this EP integrated the burgeoning 'trap' sound - characterized by 808 sub-bass and rapid-fire hi-hats - with the 108-BPM swing of moombahton. The title track, featuring Nicky Da B, became a cultural touchstone, largely credited with bringing New Orleans bounce music and the 'twerking' phenomenon to a global pop audience. Musically, the EP is dense and maximalist, featuring collaborations with artists like Datsik and Elephant Man, which highlights Diplo's role as a curator and collaborator. Critics noted its frantic energy and its success in distilling complex regional rhythms into accessible, high-impact club weapons. It remains one of the most influential short-form releases in the bass music genre.