DJ Derrick “D-Nice” Jones is no stranger to investing his time in great ideas. Following the successful launch of the virtual party “Club Quarantine” in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones is venturing into the world of tech startups.
Last week Jones and San Francisco-based Simplicity Tech Inc. announced that he had joined the tech startup’s advisory board. Simplicity Tech Inc., runs the Simplicity app allowing cities throughout the United States to share essential information impacting their residents. Launched in Silicon Valley, Simplicity was able to raise more than $10 million in seed funding to continue its expansion. Jones will serve as an investor and ambassador for Los Angeles and other cities joining the app.
App users are able to identify essential updates from municipalities ranging from emergencies, power outages, road closures, special events, and more. Currently, the app is being used in more than 100 cities nationwide including the suburbs of Chicago and San Francisco Bay Area.
“Club Quarantine demonstrated the power of technology as a tool to bring together a community of people around the power of music,” Jones said in a press release. “Simplicity is another example of leveraging technology to lift the spirits and deepen the relationships among people in cities around the world. The alignment was too obvious not to be part of the movement.”
“We believe that any city in the world can utilize the Simplicity app and help its residents navigate the chaos of current social networks and misinformation,” Juraj Gago, co-founder of Simplicity said in a press statement. “Having Derrick back up this critical mission is significant and can help the company achieve our main goal: to improve life in cities.”
D-Nice posted on Instagram, “This investment is a great opportunity to continue bringing cities together around the world.”
Growing Portfolio
In 2021, D-Nice invested in French wine label Maison Marcel, whose previous investors include LiveNation and multimedia artist James Goldcrown. “I have cultivated a deep appreciation for wine over the years. It’s my go-to beverage in moments of celebration and relaxation,” D-Nice said in a statement provided to The Drinks Business. “When a friend introduced me to Maison Marcel I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of; the quality of the wine is unmatched and versatile for any occasion or food pairing. I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the brand.”
Golden Era Hip-Hop Producer and Artist
Jones has been experimenting with music and technology since 1986 when he joined the rap conglomerate Boogie Down Productions. In 1989, Jones produced the classic hip-hop song, “Self Destruction” and the following year, released his album, “Call Me D-Nice.” His sophomore album, “To Tha Rescue” followed but after experiencing friction with his record label, Jones stopped recording and became a web developer, running a creative services agency in 2000. Jones explored photography while relaunching his career in music as a DJ.
As the world shut down in 2020, D-Nice began going live on Instagram, hosting “Club Quarantine” parties. Celebrities and everyday people followed Jones’ events, ultimately leading him to have 3.2 million followers. According to Popular Net Worth, Jones has a net worth of $5 million.
