Diplo received death threats over Taylor Swift feud

Diplo received a slew of death threats and disturbing messages from Taylor Swift's fans after he became embroiled in an online feud with Lorde over the former country star.

The DJ/producer started the argument by making a joke about Swift's body shape, prompting pranksters to launch an Internet campaign to raise funds to buy the singer a new "booty".

The online running joke infuriated Swift's pal Lorde, who waded into the furore by flinging insults at Diplo, accusing him of having a "tiny penis" and sparking a war-of-words between the pair.

Diplo has now opened up about the row in an interview with GQ magazine, calling the feud "really dumb" and revealing he was bombarded with chilling threats from Swift's army of devotees.

He says, "It's really dumb. So many great albums came out that week, and all people talked about... was Me vs. Lorde, and Kim Kardashian's butt. No one covered any music... And it's funny, because me and Lorde, we're actually friends, and it was a funny, in-jest conversation. So many tabloids used it to make it story, when it was not. Literally, it was such a tongue-in-cheek joke on both sides.

"I think Taylor Swift is such an impactful character, that it was because she was involved that it became really big... The repercussions (were) really bad. Like, Taylor Swift fans are really crazy. They threatened to murder me and stuff. It's really bizarre, and disgusting. They're the worst people in the world... (They said things like) I wish your kids had Down syndrome... I dissed Lady Gaga before, and... (her fans) were never even this mean. They're funny. These people (Swift's fans) are like mean-spirited, evil human beings. I'm not a politician. I shouldn't have to be under the microscope for people like that."