Today we’d like to introduce you to Darius House.
Hi Darius, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Darius House, professionally known as IamDerby or Derby for short, is an American rapper, producer, audio engineer, drummer, and entrepreneur from Portsmouth, Virginia. He is associated with the 757/Hampton Roads music scene and is the founder of Royal 7 Entertainment.
Derby began pursuing music at a young age, developing experience as both a rapper and drummer. Over time, he expanded his skills into songwriting, music production, recording, mixing, and mastering, allowing him to maintain a largely independent creative process.
IamDerby’s musical style incorporates elements of hip-hop and R&B alongside influences from gospel and other genres. His work frequently draws from personal experiences and themes of ambition, relationships, struggle, loyalty, and personal growth.
In addition to his work as a recording artist, Derby has focused on entrepreneurship and creative development through Royal 7 Entertainment. The company provides a platform for artists and creatives while offering services including recording, photography, videography, and other studio-related resources.
Derby continues to develop his career as an independent artist while expanding Royal 7 Entertainment and working to establish a lasting presence in the Virginia music community and beyond.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has taught me something that has helped me grow. One of the biggest struggles has been collaborating with other businesses that sometimes see us as competitors instead of seeing the bigger picture. We’re all trying to build, expand our visions, and create opportunities, and I believe there’s enough room for everybody to win. When businesses work together instead of against each other, we can accomplish a lot more.
Another challenge has been learning how to navigate partnerships. You’re not always going to agree with every move or idea that gets presented, and that’s okay. At the end of the day, it comes down to communication, understanding each other’s perspectives, and being willing to compromise. That’s how you turn different ideas into something that actually works.
Starting a business while being an artist has also been a balancing act. Sometimes building the business can take time away from your own creativity because you’re focused on making sure your artists, customers, and business partners are completely satisfied. You have to be willing to put in the work behind the scenes, even when it means temporarily putting your own creative goals on the back burner.
But I’ve learned that building a successful business is about consistency, patience, and reputation. When you take care of your people, deliver quality, and show others that you’re serious about what you’re building, people notice. Eventually, that creates more opportunities, more collaborations, and more people who want to be part of the vision. The road hasn’t been easy, but the struggles are part of what makes the journey—and the success—worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a national recording artist who is local and native to the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. I’m most known for my music, but more recently I’ve been gaining recognition for my work as an audio engineer and music producer. Being able to wear multiple hats has allowed me to understand music from every angle—from creating the song and producing the sound to recording, mixing, and bringing the final product to life.
I’m most proud of the opportunities I’ve created through my music and production, especially the collaborations I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of. Some of my biggest highlights include my single “WIN” featuring Dave East, a song I produced titled “The Anthem” featuring Juicy J alongside local artists Brizzy Jae and BigJojo2x, and my artist OG Guap’s “Hustler’s Anthem.” “Hustler’s Anthem” samples Ace Hood’s “Hustle Hard” and features an intro shoutout from Ace Hood himself. I produced all of these records, which makes those accomplishments especially meaningful to me.
The Ace Hood connection stands out the most because of the story behind the record. The original “Hustle Hard” was produced by Lex Luger, who is also a native of Suffolk, Virginia—a place that has played a major part in my own life, as I lived there for a significant portion of my life and graduated from Suffolk Public Schools. Being able to take inspiration from a record connected to someone from my own area and create something new from it, while ultimately receiving recognition from Ace Hood himself, is something I’m extremely proud of.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just an artist who records music. I’ve made it a priority to understand the entire creative process. I can step into the studio as the artist, producer, engineer, songwriter, or collaborator depending on what the project needs. That versatility gives me a different perspective and allows me to help bring other artists’ visions to life while still developing my own.
At the end of the day, I’m proud to represent Hampton Roads and show that you can come from this area, build your own platform, develop multiple skills, and create opportunities without having to wait for someone else to give you a seat at the table.
Any big plans?
My biggest goal for the future is to continue growing both as an artist and as an entrepreneur. I want to take IamDerby to the next level nationally while continuing to build Royal 7 Entertainment into a platform that creates real opportunities for artists and creatives here in Hampton Roads and beyond.
I’m looking forward to releasing more music, working with bigger artists, and continuing to expand my work as a producer and audio engineer. I want to build on the recognition I’ve already received and create more records that show people what I’m capable of—not just as an artist, but as someone behind the music as well.
On the business side, I want Royal 7 to continue expanding its services, partnerships, and creative community. I’m interested in working with more businesses and creatives where we can collaborate instead of competing, because I believe there’s a lot of potential in bringing different visions together.
Ultimately, I’m building something bigger than just a music career. I want to create a lasting brand and a legacy that represents Hampton Roads, provides opportunities for other people, and shows what can happen when you’re willing to invest in yourself and build your own lane.
There are definitely bigger moves ahead, but I’m focused on taking things one step at a time, continuing to learn, and making sure every move we make is building toward something bigger.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamderby_?igsi=MTljamJuYTBrNXZ0cA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/199wJEbv4P/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: https://x.com/iamderby_?s=11
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamderby_?si=Tv0CTWjFgI37-B7R
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/hxb4d4Ph9PqZV942xU
