MUC: Being a DJ Didn’t Stop Me From Gods Will
In this episode of The Man Up Club Presents, host Mr. D—also known as Mr. Dean or Cross—sits down with Minnesota DJ and entrepreneur DJ Mello for a deep conversation about childhood, adversity, faith, culture, and calling. The Man Up Club, a Minneapolis-based mentorship organization serving young Black men ages 13–24, uses this platform to amplify their voices. DJ Mello steps into that space with honesty, vulnerability, and clarity.
A Childhood Marked by Movement and Survival
Mello grew up in Minneapolis navigating life between two households after his parents separated when he was three. Both remained active in his upbringing, but the instability of constant moves—St. Louis Park, Brooklyn Park, North Minneapolis, South Minneapolis—left him feeling like he never fully belonged anywhere.
Financial hardship shaped much of his earliest memories. He recalls nights going to bed hungry, an experience he pushed out of his mind until adulthood. These moments of scarcity influenced habits he later noticed in himself, like eating quickly or feeling pressure to share limited resources with siblings.
Although his siblings were from different parents, he remained close to all of them. As the oldest, he became the one they watched, the one expected to set the tone. He embraced it—not as a burden but as part of who he was.
College: The Discipline He Didn’t Want but Needed
Despite having no passion for school, Mello enrolled at St. Cloud State University. Home life had become overcrowded, and college felt like his only path to independence.
Freshman year was rough. Partying, distractions, and lack of focus left him with failing grades. Even more heartbreaking, many of the Black students he entered college with didn’t return for sophomore year due to finances or lack of support.
Seeing that pushed him to change. He began applying for scholarships, cutting out distractions, and grinding academically. The discipline didn’t come naturally—but survival did. He wanted stability, purpose, and a future of his own, and finishing college was the first step.
In 2018, he graduated with a degree in marketing.
Discovering Purpose Through Music
Music had always been part of his identity. He was the kid who wore headphones everywhere, constantly studying sound, lyrics, and rhythms. His father—a barber and DJ—recognized this early and placed turntables in his hands. By 15, Mello was DJing weddings and learning how to move a crowd.
In his mid-20s, everything clicked. He realized DJing wasn’t just something he enjoyed—it was his purpose. It came naturally. It made sense. It allowed him to influence people in ways he couldn’t with words alone.
Music, Influence, and Responsibility
Mello understands the power of music deeply. He has witnessed firsthand how certain songs can escalate a room or elevate its energy. As a believer, he wrestles with the realities of playing secular music while wanting to uplift people.
He doesn’t believe all rap should be censored. Instead, he believes in balance. When kids consume only violent music—with no diversity in message—it shapes their worldview. Labels, DJs, and parents all have a role in offering variety.
Still, he is intentional about the songs he chooses, mixing in uplifting tracks and reading the room. To him, music is art—but art carries responsibility.
Faith, Calling & Personal Conviction
Mello describes himself as a believer in God and Christ, even though he doesn’t always align with the institutional church. To him, the heart of faith is relationship, not religion.
He believes that when it comes to career choices, creative expression, and moral tension, the most important thing is to stay sensitive to God’s leading. What may be permissible in one season may not be in another, and each person’s spiritual walk looks different.
A Voice Worth Hearing
DJ Mello’s story is a powerful reminder of what happens when mentorship, faith, resilience, and purpose intersect. The Man Up Club created a platform to let young Black men tell their own stories—and Mello’s story is one of growth, intention, and calling.
Holy Culture Radio is operated by The Corelink Solution, a non-profit organization that aims to create a safe space for healing, foster unity in our communities and empower the next generation of creatives and leaders through spreading the gospel.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Opening conversation
00:56 – Discussing childhood hunger and early trauma
01:12 – Show intro & The Man Up Club mission
03:05 – Introduction of guest: DJ Mello
04:00 – How he got his DJ name
06:00 – Growing up in Minneapolis & early school years
08:00 – Parents separating & navigating two households
09:30 – Differences between mom’s house and dad’s house
10:36 – Discipline, rules, and freedom
12:00 – What his parents did for work
13:08 – Hardships of moving frequently
14:31 – Growing up poor & food insecurity
15:46 – Impact of childhood trauma on adult life
16:50 – Being the oldest sibling
17:34 – College: deciding to go and early struggles
19:08 – Developing discipline and blocking out distractions
20:22 – Party culture in college
22:10 – Seeing Black students drop out
23:29 – Financial struggles & lack of college guidance
25:23 – Would he be successful without college?
27:03 – Discovering purpose in music
28:38 – DJing as ministry & influence
30:48 – Violence and music choices
31:05 – The state of music today
33:12 – Should music be censored?
33:45 – Influence of gangster/drill music
35:18 – Youth violence & how music shapes culture
37:33 – Parents, social media, and responsibility
38:50 – Being a believer vs being a Christian
40:44 – Misconceptions about Christianity
42:54 – Does secular music conflict with faith?
44:17 – Navigating art and faith
46:20 – Listening to God in every season
48:43 – Industry examples & growth
50:14 – Closing remarks & Thanksgiving message
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