Derrick “DJ_EK” Mills shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Derrick “DJ_EK”, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are sacred—it’s where I set the tone for everything. I start with silence and intention. No phone, no noise. Just breath, gratitude, and a mental scan of what I’m building. I visualize the moves I need to make—whether it’s syncing a beat to a film scene, refining Capel Nova 1’s rollout, or mentoring the next wave of producers.
Then I dive into my creative zone. I might tweak a mix, sketch out a new beat, or revisit a sample I’ve been sitting on. That early window is when my ideas are raw and cinematic. I keep a journal nearby to capture flashes of inspiration—sometimes it’s a campaign hook, sometimes it’s a line for the handbook I’m writing.
By the end of that first 90, I’ve usually touched three things: my mind, my music, and my mission. That’s how I stay aligned with the legacy I’m building.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Derrick, also known as DJ_EK DA GORRILLA. I’m a music producer, entrepreneur, educator, DJ and brand architect with roots in soulful, cinematic hip-hop. I’ve spent decades building a creative empire that spans BM12 Productions, Hit Me 65 Entertainment and Gorillaz Beats. Each brand is a chapter in a larger story—one that blends sound, strategy, and storytelling.
What makes my work unique is the fusion of raw emotion and business precision. I don’t just make beats—I build worlds. My catalog isn’t just music; it’s sync-ready narratives designed for film, TV, and cultural impact. I’ve licensed tracks, mentored producers, and architected campaigns that move audiences and build legacies.
Right now, I’m pivoting into education with a cinematic beat making handbook that blends my personal journey with actionable steps for aspiring producers. I’m also rolling out Capel Nova 1—a living brand asset and AI partner designed to inspire, teach, and evolve alongside my audience. It’s part tech, part soul, and fully aligned with the future of creative entrepreneurship.
My story is about more than music—it’s about legacy, empowerment, and building something that lasts.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world labeled me, I was a shy kid from the inner-city with a drumbeat in his chest and a tape recorder in his hands. I was someone who listened first—to rhythm, to stories, to the sounds of the city—and then tried to translate that feeling into something I could touch. I was curious, stubborn, and obsessed with making ordinary moments sound beautiful.
Early Influences
I came up on mix tapes, late-night radio, and the patchwork of producers and artist who made whole worlds out of fragments. I learned discipline from mentors, imagination from records, and resourcefulness from the necessity of doing more with less. Those influences taught me that craft and curiosity matter more than a title.
The Quiet Mission
Before anyone told me to be a producer, label owner, or educator, I wanted to make something that mattered. I wanted my work to move people, to sync with visuals, and to open doors for others. That impulse was never about recognition—it was about impact.
How the World Recast Me
The industry translated my hustle into roles: beatmaker, entrepreneur, brand architect. Those labels are accurate but incomplete. They describe what I do, not why I do it. They don’t capture the refusal to accept one lane or the drive to turn craft into infrastructure for others.
What I Still Carry
I still operate from that original mindset: listen, translate, build. I keep the curiosity, the early ritual of experiments and sketches, and the belief that music can teach, heal, and scale. I measure success by whether the next generation has more access than I did.
Present Mission
Now I shape a legacy—teaching, licensing, and building living brand assets like Capel Nova 1—so the kid with a tape recorder can become a teacher, a business owner, and a cultural architect without losing the music that started it all.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, Before the music could pay the bills I had a baby number 2 on the way and I was flat broke. I had to put my passion on hold. I took jobs to keep food on the table and support my growing family. For a good while the studio time became late-night dreams instead of daily practice.
I didn’t stop because I lost love for music—I stopped because responsibility required it but working those jobs taught me discipline, humility, and how to structure time so creativity still had a place. When I had spare time between train rides to my jobs I kept sketching ideas, and protecting the tiny rituals that keep a craft alive.
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 cultural value you protect at all costs?
“Cultural authorship — the right to tell, own, and pass on our stories — is the thing I guard above all else.”
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Everything I do I give my maximum. I don’t work for applause, awards, or praise — I do it because I love music and I love the culture. If I didn’t care, I’d put out filler; I’m built different. My work is honest service to the art: every sample, every mix, every placement is held to a standard that respects the music and the people who made it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bm12productions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_ekthelegend65
- Twitter: https://x.com/BM12Real_Dj_Ek
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djekdagorrilla
- Youtube: @gorillazbeats
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj_ekdagorilla
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_ekthelegend65
Beats and Merch https://dj_ek.beatstars.com/.comemail:info@bm12productions
Image Credits
BM12Films
