Desmond Divine Houston Exclusive Interview - Leaders Create Paths, Followers Chase Shadows

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Desmond Divine Houston was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and here is the Q&A we had with Desmond.

Desmond Divine Houston As Cover Story Interview – June 2026 Magazine Edition

Desmond Divine Houston

Desmond Divine Houston’s story is deeply woven into the fabric of hip-hop history, from his early days as DJ Divine in Queens, New York, to becoming a respected music executive, producer, promoter, and artist manager. Guided by influential mentors such as Joseph Simmons and Russell Simmons, he built a remarkable career that included producing and mixing hit records, working as an A&R executive at Def Jam Recordings, and collaborating with some of the industry’s most iconic artists. Despite experiencing personal losses, industry challenges, and hard-earned lessons about trust and loyalty, Houston has remained committed to integrity, positivity, and perseverance. Now, with a long-awaited memoir, an expanding clothing brand, and future rap tours in development, he continues to inspire others to pursue their dreams fearlessly while staying true to themselves.

How do you introduce yourself?

My name is Desmond Divine Houston I am originally from Hollis Queens New York ultimately being raised in Jamaica Queens New York. I am currently a promoter a celebrity booking agent, and artist management My music career started out as a DJ I went by the name of DJ Divine and that’s how I met Run from RUN DMC I was a huge fan of the group and we hit it off instantly run took a liking to me not only because I was a cool kid but also I was talented with the DJing and rapping. We clicked immediately I became his right hand man / driver and he took me everywhere he went run ultimately partnered up with me and got me a record deal with profile records we put out a single called “Be Cool Kid” it received modest reviews and modest recognition but my goal was not to be a rapper. I wanted to be a producer Quite naturally by being close with run Joseph Simmons his brother Def Jam records founder Russell Simmons took a liking to me as well and took me up under his wing he decided to give me a position working for Def Jam records through one of their subsidiary labels. I became an A&R executive at Def Jam records to help run a label called Blackfoot Entertainment.

Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?

The hardships that stick out the most to me in my lifetime is losing love ones losing friendships or realizing that the friendship was never real also learning that things doesn’t stay the same so you should always prepare yourself when things become different one more hardship is being misled in the music industry there’s not a handbook there’s no training course most things you learn as you go I kind of wish I had a mentor coming up in the music industry.

What do people usually not know about you?

What most people don’t know about me is that I got my big break in the music industry once I produced and mixed a hit record most people don’t even know that at one point I was a platinum producer and remixer I produce songs for a West Coast artist named paperboy a song called “Ditty” I also produce songs for salt and pepper I mixed and produce songs for the legendary artist Sybil I also had the pleasure of sitting in the studio with the late great DJ Jam Master Jay because Jay trusted my ears and he always wanted my opinion when he was mixing certain records I had the pleasure of helping him mix and EQ a lot of their later records.

What sets you apart from others?

I can’t speak for anybody else but what I will say is I think what sets me apart from a lot of people including my peers and other industry folks is that I never speak negative about anyone you will never hear me down talk or downplay anyone I’m built like that. I’ve always carried myself in that manner I don’t never try to talk down on anyone else to try to make myself look better. I know a lot about a lot of people in the music industry I’ve seen a lot I know a lot of entertainers I know a lot of their dirty little secrets but I’m extremely loyal and I think that’s something that might set me apart from a lot of people I don’t stab people in the back if I don’t have anything positive to say about a person I won’t say nothing at all.

What are your upcoming major events?

One of my upcoming projects that I am extremely proud of is I have a book coming out a book about myself that is well overdue the book will include memoir of 25 years of my life being in the music industry as well as the time I spent working at Def Jam records as an A&R executive I’m also looking to expand my clothing line as well as putting together a couple of rap tours for 2026 and 2027.

What expert advice would you like to give?

Not to sound cliches but I must say follow your dreams don’t let anybody get in your way not a relationship not a family member nothing don’t let anything stop you you have to believe in yourself and you have to speak life into yourself you have to claim the things that you want and the things that you desire you have to claim it as if you already received it Another thing I would like to add is look out for the snakes the people that mean you no good keep your eyes open everyone who comes to you with a smile doesn’t mean that they want to see you do well some people come into your life to try to hold you back never be a follower be a leader.

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