We’re looking forward to introducing you to Derek Williams. Check out our conversation below.
Derek, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is waking up and taking a shower and brushing my teeth. Then I do a 30-45 home workout followed by a light breakfast. I then answer any emails or business related matters. I usually lounge around for the rest of the day depending on if I don’t have any other plans
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Derek Williams. I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I attended the Detroit Institute of Music Education from 2017-2021, graduating with my bachelor’s degree in music business. My label handles marketing, promotion, publishing & publicity. We also act as as management company as well. We currently use Label Engine as our distributor. What makes my label stand out is that it gives the artist the full label experience while not compromising the creativity of the artist. My label is small so each artist will have his/ her moment to shine. I recently launched my own YouTube channel called The Lion’s Den where I do music and movie reviews
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I believed I would become a scientist. I was always fascinated about space and the science behind how plants grow, evolution etc. As I got older I started to express myself more through the music I was consuming at the time. I was unlocking my true personality and didn’t even realize it. Needless to say once I knew music was my calling my career as a scientist was over before it even started
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Fun fact about me: I use to want to be an artist. I started out rapping at age 12 and by age 19 I was sure I was the next big artist to blow from Detroit. I didn’t have a following but I had wrote and recorded this mixtape that I just knew was gonna get me the buzz I needed. I put out my mixtape and the people who listened to it gave it mixed reviews. I was so sure that I had put out the perfect project so to hear it get mixed reviews really put a sting on my ego to the point where I didn’t want to pick the pen back up. But luckily I had a great support group around me and that motivated me to keep going which eventually led me to get better at my craft.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Making my record label successful. When I was an artist I had a lot of people telling me not to pursue music, that it’s a shot in the dark. My zodiac sign is a Leo and one thing about Leos that is 100% facts is our resilience! Once we are laser focused on something we are locked in and we will not stop until that goal is reached or we give up. Leos rarely give up so I don’t care if my label doesn’t get successful until I’m well in my retirement age. I will continue to be in music until my last breath
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
I regret not following my dream and enrolling in a music school or music program once I graduated high school. I knew as a junior in high school I wanted to go into music but I had too many people telling me that’s unrealistic and that I just need to go to college. I believe if I would have went to music school at 18 instead of 25 (the age I was when i started DIME in 2017), then I would have been in the industry a lot sooner. But you live and you learn
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @derektimelessceo313
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-williams-796b3b201?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Twitter: @DerekTimeless
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thelionsden313-v9f?si=zCVEmGObndQ0SnIe
- Other: Instagram: @timeless_recordsllc
TikTok: @thelionsden_313
