- D-Nice is a world-renowned DJ.
- He got his start in the ‘80s alongside KRS-One and La Rock.
- D-Nice helped thousands with his “Club Quarantine” series during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
D-Nice will help keep the party going as Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve goes nationwide. While host Ryan Seacrest will helm the long-running New Year’s Eve countdown from Times Square in New York City, the party will expand to California. D-Nice will co-host the party in Los Angeles (with Wiz Khalifa, FINNEAS, Armani White, Betty Who, Dove Cameron, and Nicky Youre set to perform.)
The rest of the evening will see Ciara host from Disneyland in Anaheim, with Fitz and The Tantrums, Maddie & Tae, Shaggy, Ben Platt, Aly & AJ, Halle Bailey, TXT, Bailey Zimmerman, and Lauren Spencer Smith set to perform at “The Happiest Place On Earth.” Billy Porter will co-host from New Orleans, where he will perform a medley of hits. Roselyn Sanchez will host from Puerto Rico, with Farruko headlining that stage. In New York, Jessie James Decker and Liza Koszhy will join Ryan as co-hosts.
D-Nice is used to performing in front of crowds. In 2020, he launched “Club Quarantine,” DJing for over 100k fans. Since then, he’s appeared at numerous award shows and events.
Ahead of the celebration, here’s what you need to know about D-Nice.
He was part of Boogie Down Productions.
Alongside members Lawrence Kris “KRS-One” Parker and Scott “La Rock” Sterling, D-Nice (b. Derrick Jones) co-created the group in 1986. The group took its name from a longstanding nickname for The Bronx. They went on to drop their debut album Criminal Minded in 1987, just five months before DJ Scott La Rock was tragically murdered at 25 years old. KRS-One and D-Nice continued as a duo and went on to release four more albums together. D-Nice eventually went solo and released two projects of his own: 1990’s Call Me D-Nice and 1991’s To Tha Rescue.
He Created ‘Club Quarantine’ On Instagram.
In response to the devastating response to COVID-19 — which resulted in worldwide lockdowns, leading to weeks of self-quarantine and many losing their jobs — D-Nice created the ultimate escape with music. His first show on Friday, Mar. 20, 2020, went for nearly 10 hours and drew every A-list name imaginable, including Jennifer Lopez, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Lenny Kravitz, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Dwyane Wade, Janet Jackson, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Oprah gave the DJ a shoutout on Twitter shortly after, dubbing the livestream “the best party of 1 and 100k I have ever been to.” DJ also opened up about why he started the online Club: “I can’t believe that I started the Home School social distancing dance party just four days ago, and it’s become a place for us to virtually dance together and stay connected. From my kitchen, I’m able to send positive vibrations to each of you. Thank you for rocking with me.”
He Discovered Kid Rock.
Early in his career, Kid Rock — a Detroit native — was interested in the hip-hop scene. After joining a breakdance crew, he began rapping as part of a hip-hop group called The Beast Crew. He eventually met D-Nice, who invited him to open up for Boogie Down Productions and later helped him sign his first-ever record deal with Jive Records in 1988. D-Nice was also credited as a producer on Kid’s 1990 debut, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast.
He’s An Actor & Photographer.
In addition to being a DJ, producer, and rapper, D-Nice is also a professional photographer! Some of his credits include the covers for Pharoahe Monch’s 2011 album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), Kenny Lattimore’s Vulnerable from 2017, and Carl Thomas’ 2007 album So Much Better. He’s also got several film credits to his iMDB, including appearances in the Tiffany Haddish and Jada Pinkett Smith film Girls Trip.
He’s A Native New Yorker.
D-Nice was born Derrick Jones on June 19, 1970, in The Bronx, NY. Derrick is a dad of two, to daughter Ashli Jones, reportedly born in 1996, and daughter Dylan Coleman-Jones with ex Kelli M. Coleman. He later married actress Malinda Williams in August 2008, he married actress Malinda Williams but separated the following year before finalizing their divorce in June 2010.