Biography:

Music has always been good to Derek Grant. At each turning point in his life, music has been pivotal to its direction and ultimate outcome. As a young boy growing up in the beachside town of Santa Cruz, he was like any other skate rat kid trying to quickly grow up and out of the house. He was drawn to hip hop music and he became very aware of how music could define an idealism and culture. It was also the first time he took note of the technical aspects of remixing old songs to fresh new beats & lyrics. Music sparked his intelligence and became an energy force in his life that actually propelled him forward.

Derek soon outgrew hiphop and found house music to encompass everything he was looking for: fresh but familiar beats, passionate fans and a culture that went beyond club walls and international waters. He wasn't satisfied to just listen; it empowered him to get involved. When his first corporate job out of college didn't pan out, Derek comforted himself by purchasing a complete set of professional DJ equipment. It was supposed to ease his disappointment but it did more than that. As fate would have it, the title "Mr" would permanently be replaced by "DJ" before his name and change his own personal perception of himself forever.

What Derek lacked in experience he made up with passion and personality. His innate ability to select records that anyone, from die-hard house heads to his own mom could groove to, was what everyone remembers from his early days. It was these qualities that caught the eyes & ears of the owners of Palm&Granite, a popular fashion boutique in Los Gatos, Ca and they invited him to become their first resident DJ. Derek set up his decks in the store every weekend and honed his mixing skills and confidence in playing to an audience.

Within a few months, Derek was DJing at all the local clubs, which led to his being discovered by Franky Boissy. Franky is legendary promoter & DJ of Metrojazz and considered one of the pioneers of the SF house music scene. He recognized something special in Derek and gave him an opportunity of a lifetime: to play at his annual Bastille Day celebration in 2002 in front of a crowd of 800 people! Derek rocked the house.

Derek joined a team of up&coming Metrojazz DJs and under Franky’s guidance he suddenly found himself a player in the SF house scene. While other fledgling DJs dropped out, Derek welcomed the challenge and worked hard to define his own style hoping that it would be one that would be appreciated by his audience. He didn't need to wonder: a busy DJ schedule, accolades from the top SF DJs and an adoring fan base that always showed up at his gigs. While most DJs would be satisfied at this point, Derek knew in order to stay stimulated and on his game, he felt music again directing his life to the next level, production. In producing his own music, he would be able to satisfy his creative intellect and also make the track he had been looking for to further polish his signature sound.

Derek Grant's style has been best described as Deep, funky house in the soul neighborhood. While music was once a diversion, it is now his top priority and defines who he has become. As his friends work their way up the corporate ladder, Derek realizes that his faith in music and where it will guide him is stronger than his desire for a corner office. When asked about his future, Derek will flash his famous sly grin and reply like a seasoned veteran, Simple. I want to continue to ENJOY playing, CHALLENGE myself producing new music and always RESPECT the music, my fellow DJs and most importantly APPRECIATE the community that is HOUSE. Music may have been very good to Derek Grant, but it is certain he will be good to music.