By Mikey Eckstein

Inside the Rise of Detroit's Own

In a candid interview with Beautiful Machine Magazine, rising artist Detroit Diamond opens up about her influences, perseverance through trials, and what it means to represent her city on the big stage. From living in her car to hitting the Netflix stage on Rhythm + Flow, her story is as raw as it is inspiring. Here’s an inside look into the journey, drive, and dreams of a future legend.

BMM: Tell us 3 of your biggest influences.
DD: God, LeBron James, T.I.

BMM: You recently had the opportunity to do a show with MC Lyte. How was that experience rockin’ with a legend?
DD: Amazing! The crowd was so lit and received me with open arms. MC Lyte is a legend, and for her to embrace me—man, it meant the world. So grateful for that moment.

BMM: You’re recently on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow. How did the selection process go for you to get on the show?
DD: A casting director by the name of Bryant found me January 30, 2020, and said my music was dope. He asked if I wanted to audition for Season 2, and I thought it was a fake email, lol. But it was real, and I went through the audition process.
March 2020—COVID happened and everything shut down. I kept in touch with him for years—even to this day—making sure they didn’t start the show again without me, lol.
September 2023, I was living in my car in Los Angeles at Universal Studios and I got an email saying, “S2 It’s Time.” God had isolated me and took me through the toughest storms to get to that moment.

BMM: What was your best experience doing that show?
DD: I would say my initial audition when I came out in ATL and Big Sean was there. It was an out-of-body experience. The crowd and judges loved me. It was just so major for me to put Detroit on the biggest stage.

BMM: At what age did you realize you wanted to become an artist?
DD: I’ve always loved music since I was a little kid. My mom had all kinds of music playing in my household—from MJ to T.I. to Luther to Missy.
I always was a great writer and just loved entertainment period. But I didn’t become an official artist until 2018. My brother was murdered January 29, 2014—he was a rapper named D-Beezy. I only did music to keep his legacy alive and cope with his death.

BMM: Tell us three producers that you’d love to work with in the near future.
DD: Pooh Beatz, Tay Keith, & Wheezy.

BMM: Being from Detroit, give us three of your favorite places to eat.
DD: Coney of course (Joy Rd to 8 Mile), Bink’s Grill on Livernois (best eggrolls), and Ali’s Korner Takeout on W. McNichols.

BMM: What is your most memorable concert that you’ve performed at?
DD: Kash Doll, Dec 14th in Detroit. When I came out on stage, the sold-out crowd went crazy and sung the whole song. It was so lit.

BMM: You have your first headlining show May 30th at the legendary El Club. Can you tell us what people can expect?
DD: I’m so excited to finally have my own concert. It’s going to be nothing but great energy and love in the building.
The theme is Jersey or Diamond Bling fits. I want us to all experience this as if it was a backyard party in the 2000s. No worries—just great music, drinks, and love.

BMM: Who else is on the bill for the May 30 show at El Club?
DD: I have some of Detroit’s most talented up-and-coming stars:

- Asaka The Renegade (winner of T-Pain’s March Madness)
- Nolaj (one of my top lyricists in the city)
- DreTL (winner of S2 Rhythm + Flow) ...and a ton of other artists will come out as well.

BMM: Where can people get tickets?
DD: Ticket link is in my bio on Instagram @detroitdiamond.

Tickets are also available here:
👉 Get Tickets via Dice