Interview: Mr.D.Tunes
Suriname-born Christian hip-hop artist Mr.D.Tunes talks to Louder Than The Music about his new single, 'Nine Lives' and how it was inspired by his nine brushes with death. Read on for this dramatic and inspirational story of overcoming adversity.
For those who haven’t heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
I’m Derrick S. Roach - most folks know me as Mr.D.Tunes - a Suriname-born, NJ & NY-raised guy who’s tasted both triumph and trauma. Music found me early: I cut my first song in middle school to stop a bully from teasing my classmates. The moment I saw that track shift an atmosphere from fear to freedom, I knew melodies could move mountains. Since then, I’ve survived nine life-threatening moments - including three brain surgeries - and every scar sings its own chorus. My heartbeat is simple: if God kept breath in my lungs, I’m going to use it to help somebody else breathe easier.
Tell us about your new single “Nine Lives” and what the inspiration behind it was.
“Nine Lives” is my thank-You letter to God wrapped in 808s and wordplay. They say cats have nine lives, but I lived it for real - nine close calls with death. From brain tumors to breathing battles, from surgeries that blurred my future to hospital rooms where every beep felt like a countdown... I was face-to-face with the edge more times than I can count.
But each of those moments didn’t take me out - they brought me closer in. Closer to grace. Closer to purpose.
This song flips pain into praise. I say “Benadryl” turned into “Been a Drill,” because what hurt me the deepest also drilled the deepest faith into me.
So when the beat drops, and I’m rapping - understand, that’s not just poetry. That’s my medical record testifying.
That’s survival. That’s purpose. That’s Nine Lives.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Absolutely. “Nine Lives” is just the beginning. I’ve got a whole wave of singles lined up - each one rooted in my story and built to share the hope, healing, and love of Christ.
I’ll be dropping new music every month, using every beat and bar to testify to what God’s done in my life. And I’m excited to collaborate with others who carry that same heart - to spread light, build community, and remind people that no matter what they’ve been through, they’re never too far gone for grace.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
That you’re already loved, already valuable, already victorious - right now, before the situation changes. I don’t write to impress ears; I write to resurrect hope. If a kid on chemo, a mom in burnout, or a doubter in the back row hears my songs and whispers, “With God I’m a winner already,” then the track did its job.
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
Imagine Lecrae cyphering with Kendrick while Kirk Franklin brings the energy - that’s the kind of lane I’m in. I’m not boxed into one sound - I create with whatever beat moves me, whether it’s 808-heavy, melodic, or stripped-down and soulful.
Lyrically, I aim for that realness - storytelling like Nas, with a message that always points back to the Cross. My faith isn’t just part of the music - it’s the foundation.
Outside the booth, I’m also an author. I write children's books and faith-based books that echo the same heart as my music: truth, purpose, and hope. Whether it’s a verse or a page, I’m using every gift God gave me to speak life.
If you could collaborate with any other artist who would it be and why?
I’d love a session with Lecrae. He pioneered a space where faith and authenticity can co-exist without apology. We both preach perseverance - he’d bring the polished wisdom, I’d bring the survivor’s scars, and together we’d build an anthem for anybody crawling toward tomorrow.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success is a DM that says, “Your song stopped my suicide plan.” Streams, plaques, and sold-out shows are cool, but heaven measures impact in souls, not Spotify stats. If my music turns trauma into testimony for one person each day, the scoreboard already reads Victory.
What is your favorite album of all time?
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It’s equal parts sermon, diary, and masterclass. She proved you can educate a generation while keeping the groove irresistible - something I try to emulate every time I step to the mic.
You’re stuck on an island, it’s hot, you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
“How He Loves” by John Mark McMillan (or the Crowder version). When the palm trees start looking like hospital IV poles in my memory, I need that reminder that His love is furious, unstoppable, reckless enough to find me - even on an island with 1% battery.
What does the next year hold for you?
Touring schools and churches with the Winner Already message, dropping that EP, and releasing the picture-book sequel to Souled Out Strikeout. I’ll also keep mentoring youth through our nonprofit, because the greatest stage isn’t Spotify - it’s a cafeteria table where a teenager hears someone say, “I see a champion in you.” If God grants me twelve more months of heartbeat, I promise to spend every one of them proving that dark seasons can still sing.
