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

TheCelebrity.Online June 2026 Magazine Edition | Featuring Desmond Divine Houston As Cover Story

Desmond Divine Houston: A Hip-Hop Insider’s Journey from Queens to Def Jam

From the streets of Hollis and Jamaica Queens, New York, Desmond Divine Houston rose through the ranks of the music industry as a DJ, producer, promoter, celebrity booking agent, and A&R executive. Known early as DJ Divine, he became Run DMC’s right-hand man, co-founded Run Divine Productions, secured deals with Profile, Mercury/Universal, and Def Jam Records, and contributed to platinum records including Paperboy’s “Ditty” and tracks for Salt-N-Pepa.

Behind the success lies a story of loss, industry betrayal, and hard-earned wisdom. Renowned for his loyalty and refusal to speak negatively about others, Desmond is now preparing to release a long-awaited memoir, expand his clothing line, and launch rap tours in 2026 and 2027.

How do you introduce yourself?

My name is Desmond Divine Houston. I am originally from Hollis, Queens, New York, and was ultimately raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York. I am currently a promoter, a celebrity booking agent, and I work in artist management and artist development. 

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 from around the way, but also because I was talented at DJing and rapping. We clicked immediately. I became his right-hand man/driver, and he took me everywhere he went. 

Run ultimately partnered with me, and we formed a production company: Run Divine Productions. Our first music venture was with Profile Records. We obtained a single deal and released a song called “Be Cool Kid.” From there, we went on to secure record deals from Mercury/Universal Records as well as a major production deal from Def Jam Records, including placement on “The Show Soundtrack.” 

Quite naturally, by being close with Run (Joseph Simmons), his brother and Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons took a liking to me as well and took me 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 are losing loved ones, losing friendships, or realizing that the friendship was never real. Another is learning that things don’t stay the same, so you should always prepare yourself for when things change. 

Another hardship is being misled in the music industry. There is no handbook or training course — most things you learn as you go. I kind of wish I had been given the heads-up on the do’s and don’ts when 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 produced songs for a West Coast artist named Paperboy, including the song “Ditty,” which went 2x platinum. I also produced songs for Salt-N-Pepa. I mixed and produced songs for the legendary artist Sybil, including “You’re the Love of My Life.” I also had the pleasure of sitting in the studio with the late great DJ Jam Master Jay. Because Jay trusted my ears, he would sometimes ask my opinion when mixing certain records. I had the pleasure of helping him mix and EQ many of their hit records.

What sets you apart from others?

 I can’t speak for anybody else, but what I will say is this: what sets me apart from a lot of people — including my peers and other industry folks — is that I never speak negatively about anyone. You will never hear me down-talk or downplay anyone, and that’s just the way I’m built. I’ve always carried myself in that manner. I never try to talk down on anyone else to make myself look better. 

I know who I am, and I stand on that. I know a lot of information about many people in the music industry. I’ve seen a lot, I know a lot, and I know many of their dirty little secrets, but I’m extremely loyal. I think that’s something that sets 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 anything 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.

Your social media handles and website links?

• Instagram : @iamdivinehouston