In the lead-up to this weekend’s Dia De Los Deftones festival in San Diego, California, Revolver reached out to some of the heaviest hitters from Dias past — including rapper JPEGMAFIA — to reflect on Deftones and their annual music celebration.
What was your relationship with Deftones before playing their festival?
JPEGMAFIA I love Deftones, and they’ve always been a band that I listen to. When I played the festival that they booked me on, I had no idea that they even knew who I was. I think they’re just a band who knows how to age well, because people still really clamor for them and want new stuff from them, even though they’re a band from way back. Their music has aged well, and just them in general. It’s really interesting and fascinating to watch, but a lot of younger people like them, too.
What was your reaction when you got the offer to play Dia De Los Deftones?
Confusion. I was confused, but in a good way, just like, Oh, wow, I wasn’t expecting this, but it was really cool. That was an interesting festival because Megan Thee Stallion was on there, too. When I played it, the type of fans that the Deftones attracts — they’re just so open that they were like, What the hell is this? But they were just into it, you know? At that time, I performed different. I used to go out in the crowd and be a lot more punk-influenced, so that was one of the first big shows I played in my career, for sure. So it was pivotal.
How do you approach performing for an audience that’s primarily there for another artist?
I just go into a mode where I’m like, Let me just put on the best show I can, because I’m at a handicap in the way that I’m not the main event here. And that’s fine with me, I don’t have any problem doing shit like that. I just approach it differently because I always want to give a really good performance. You know you’re not… people aren’t necessarily there for you. You’re just kind of the sideshow, but it’s just a different kind of headspace you have to enter.
Do you think that festival helped pave the way for more hip-hop and metal crossovers?
I definitely saw a lot more after that. For example, I was booked on a Turnstile tour, I’m on the Linkin Park tour now. I know Denzel [Curry] is going on tour with Deftones [in 2026]. I don’t know if it spawned from that, but I definitely saw a lot more crossover after that. This is the internet era, so everyone listens to everything, so there was already crossover with that, but it just makes sense now. There’s a lot of crossover between the crowds — they’re not that different.
What’s your favorite Deftones song?
“Knife Prty” off White Pony. I always have kind of oddball picks from people’s discography, but that’s my favorite album from them. Don’t ask me why, but that’s my shit.