The Militant Mind: Dj Des
INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTO Julian Diaz & Gary Flores
Back in 2018, Validated Magazine had the privilege of sitting down with DJ Des, a trailblazing producer, DJ, and philanthropist whose dedication to his craft and his community stood out. At the time, he shared insights into his journey, the lessons learned from his military service, and the values that drive his creative process.
Fast forward to today, DJ Des continues to evolve, balancing his roles as a producer and DJ with entrepreneurial ventures, philanthropy, and community leadership. His brand, The Block Never Sleeps, has grown into a multifaceted operation that reflects his commitment to innovation, discipline, and creating meaningful change.
In this interview, we reconnect with DJ Des to explore how his career has transformed over the years, the impact of his military discipline on his artistry, and the philosophies that guide his life, such as the “22 Factor.” From collaborations with hip-hop legends to inspiring new projects, DJ Des opens up about his journey, the challenges he’s overcome, and the legacy he continues to build.
Let’s dive into the conversation and uncover the next chapter of DJ Des’ story.
VALIDATED: Back in 2018, we had the chance to sit down and talk with you about your journey and projects at the time. Could you share what’s been happening since then? How has your career evolved, and what new directions or projects have you taken on over the past few years?
DJ DES: First and foremost everything has been moving efficiently and precise, a few adjustments have had to be made along the way, but we give the difficult path back to the process in which we deal with, on a day to day basis. The career, this isn’t that I do this in my leisure but carry the same mentality and treat it as a carrier and project wise we’re all over the spectrum and if people are curious I can elaborate on that during our live interview.
VALIDATED: In what ways did your father’s advice influence your perspective on life and your approach to music? How has his guidance impacted the choices you've made in your career and the values you bring to your creative process?
DJ DES: This is a layered question but I can give this to you in a raw response. I was taught that a man is the sacrificial lamb for his family. We can revisit this down the road in depth.
VALIDATED: The "22 factor of life" seems central to your philosophy. Can you explain what it means to you and how you apply it in your life?
DJ DES: I see you’ve been doing your research…. 22 is my favorite number, it’s crazy now that I think about this because when I was younger I would tell my mother I don’t need math but I find myself using it daily. It doesn’t matter if you’re a janitor or work on Wall Street you still need to know a few key things, volume, levels, weight, adjustments, etc to create the proper build. The 22 factor is a formula. 22 is a key number in Mathematic, the Bible and other books of life and shared principles of order, structure, and universal truths. Mathematics reveals the consistency and logic inherent in creation, it is about the reflection of creation.
Example 1
• The Hebrew that we know contains 22 letters, which form the foundation of the Old Testament Scriptures. This aligns the number 22 with the idea of God’s Word being complete and perfect.
Example 2
• Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is structured with word play, puzzles that lead into what and why we are having this interview. It leans more to the acrostic side of things.
Most of us in the community reflect on as they say 7 which emphasizes spiritual and divine perfection. The 22 highlights the completeness of God’s communication and revelation from beginning to end.
The wild thing about the number 22 is that it’s the same number reported as the daily count of veterans who take their own lives.
VALIDATED: Can you tell us about the impact your connection to the military community has had on your philanthropic work? In what ways has this experience inspired your efforts to give back?
DJ DES: The impact is definitely long lasting, I was taught at a young age regardless of what you think you may not have someone else has it worse so be thankful for what you do have.
Myself, I am a combat veteran and U.S. Army Airborne Paratrooper. I still use and apply the same skills that I acquired during my time in service. Giving back is just a part of who I am, and I remind my fellow GIs that regardless of what’s going on, we can come to a solution to address chronic issues within our community.
When I conduct philanthropic work with organizations certain codes and morals have to align as well.
VALIDATED: How has your military discipline influenced your work as a producer and DJ today, and what lessons from your time in the military do you apply to building and representing your brand, 'The Block Never Sleeps'?
DJ DES: Always stay consistent, always have multiple routes to attack an obstacle, plot, plan, execute. Most definitely study your objective as well and not in that order.
The brand The Block Never Sleeps was born after my time in combat. I was always on patrol at night and then into the day, working 18 hours at a time on certain days.
VALIDATED: Which producers and djs influenced your style and what if anything did you borrow from them?
DJ DES: I would have to say, in the list of DJs/producers: myself (DJ Des), DMC World Champion DJ Cash Money, the legendary Ron G, Kid Capri, O.G. Bigga Rankin, DJ Quik, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Michael Watts, DJ Screw (RIP), and DJ Whiteowl (RIP).
To put it all together — including myself — we are all trendsetters and innovators, each with different talents, from producing and directly organizing a project to displaying skills on wax. These are talents that many no longer display, even though they were once considered a necessary requirement — something that now seems to be overlooked.
VALIDATED: How do you navigate the balance between being a producer and a DJ, and in what ways do these roles enhance and complement each other? Can you share how your skills in each area contribute to your overall sound and approach, and how switching between these roles influences your creative process?
DJ DES: When it comes to wearing multiple hats, what works best for me is my ear. I have various mixtape series and was once ranked 13th in the Online DMC World Championships. I can put together any sound in the hip-hop/rap genre for catalog purposes. I don’t always listen to hip-hop music either — I listen to all types of music.
When I’m putting together a project, I can start without a concept, begin with a design, or find inspiration from something that sets the trend — and the rest comes together naturally.
VALIDATED: How do you stay in tune with the latest trends in hip-hop while keeping your own unique sound? As an emerging artist, what do you believe sets you apart from other producers and DJs in the industry?
DJ DES: As far as staying in tune with trends in hip-hop, I follow Validated Magazine or I’ll catch wind from a team member—my inbox stays full.
What separates me from the rest is that I’m the only one telling my story. I don’t know many who have walked the same path as me in the industry. I’m sure there are a few out there, but my other alias is #MilitantMindHimself — it’s branded.
VALIDATED: How do you feel about the current state of hip-hop, and where do you see the genre heading in the future? What shifts or trends do you think will shape its evolution, and how do you envision your role within that landscape?
DJ DES: I definitely hear the nostalgic flow coming back to the surface. In the future, I’m hoping to see more substance. I am a brand builder and playmaker. You might not know it’s me, my name, or my brand — but I’m always in the mix when need be.
VALIDATED: How important is social media and online presence to your growth as a music producer and DJ?
DJ DES: Social media and online presence are necessary. I started out of the trunk, but you can reach the masses and cover more ground that way. Various approaches are needed, including cross-branding.
VALIDATED: You mentioned starting out of the trunk. For those who aren’t familiar, can you explain how you began, what that process entailed, and how impactful it was in building the cornerstone of the foundation for your brand?
DJ DES: Absolutely. When I talk about starting out of the trunk, the story really goes back even before that — it started out the book bag. Back when I was living in the 7 Cities — VA Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton Roads — I was saving my own money, buying vinyl, and building my own tapes by hand. I’d hit the local record stores, dig for new sounds, and get white-label vinyl sent from my uncle Danny up in NYC.
At first, I was moving tapes straight out the book bag — hand-to-hand, face-to-face. I created my own mixes, blended local artists with those already buzzing, and bundled it all up to give people something fly. As things grew, it evolved into moving them out the trunk, pushing volume, and building real momentum.
It was pure hustle — create, connect, circulate, and reinvest. No handouts, no shortcuts — just betting on myself every step of the way. That early grind laid the foundation for everything: consistency, independence, and the mentality to turn a hustle into a brand.
VALIDATED: In our 2018 interview you mentioned you’ve worked with You Gotti, Obie Trice, Willie The Kid, Shyheim, Sean Price, La Da Darkman, Ghostface Killah, Hell Razah, Dj Whiteowl and Danjahandz. What major artists have you worked with since then?
DJ DES: Away from the various mixtape series, I’ll mention a few to keep it light: Mistah F.A.B., Skyzoo, X-Raided of Strange Music, Nejma Nefertiti, and Ambassador Rick — that’s the short list.
VALIDATED: You recently dropped the “Cold Summers” mixtape featuring Cali Stylz and Ron G, what led to the collaboration and what’s been the response to the project so far?
DJ DES: We (The Block Never Sleeps) decided to do an artist partnership/venture deal with Cali Stylz. During our negotiations, that was an item specifically requested by the artist. The project has received great feedback, and like any project that comes out of the camp, it will always be promoted continuously.
VALIDATED: You also released “Against Us” featuring Owe and Hollow, what’s the message behind the record?
DJ DES: The message, as the intro states, is that we can accomplish more without division and distraction. I definitely had to throw in some historical facts — that’s me on the third verse.
VALIDATED: How has your brand “The Block Never Sleeps” expanded since 2018?
DJ DES: Since 2018, quite a bit has changed. We assessed our operations, market position, and growth trajectory to ensure we remain aligned with our long-term goals as a collective, while narrowing the gap for retractions. We exited low-yield activities, which allowed us to expand in core areas through different partnerships in various sectors. This is more than music.
VALIDATED: What are you currently working on?
DJ DES: Day-to-day life as a whole is about staying focused. I have a project coming out with Skyzoo, produced by P-Money of Detroit, and featuring Cali Stylz on the hook. We also have Mistah F.A.B. projects in the works.
Away from music, time is vested in our media company and consultations, a franchise cleaning business, and other veteran-owned ventures.
VALIDATED: How can the readers support DJ Des?
DJ DES: If there’s anyone supporting, I just want them to know it’s appreciated. Sharing this article on social media and with your family and friends goes a long way.
Let me remind you: supporting someone is a gift from the heart, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your principles or ignore red flags. Always protect your boundaries, and don’t give your trust to those who haven’t earned it or to those who have betrayed it.
Keep your heads on a swivel and stay sharp, because we’re just getting started. Get your popcorn ready — the main event is coming, and it’s going to be something unforgettable. Your loyalty fuels me, and together, we’re going to make this a show worth watching!