Derrick Francis

Derrick Francis (born September 19, 1985, New Orleans) is an American DJ. He is also known as "Derrick Tha Franchise" and "Young Fame".

Early life

At the age of nine years old, Francis recorded vocals on a radio commercial for local New Orleans rapper Cisco. That led to his wanting to become involved in the music industry. At the age of fourteen years old he released an independent rap album. During this period, Francis also hosted, shot and produced a local television show called "Teen Expression". The show dealt with issues ranging from teen pregnancy to the latest trends.

When Francis turned fifteen years old he started Swift Productions, a full service mobile disc jockey company, with the help of his mother. Gaining a reputation around New Orleans as a disc jockey, Francis also became involved in event promotion. By the end of 2003, Derrick sold the majority of his equipment to help cover costs in a family relocation to Virginia Beach, Va. While attending Norfolk State University, he auditioned for their campus station but was told that he wasn't good enough.

Radio career

In early 2004 Francis moved back to New Orleans to organize his life. While there he considered joining the United States Navy but was prevented from doing so by a car accident. While recouperating, he heard an advert on radio station KNOU Hot 104.5 fm for interns, which he responded to. As an intern Francis learned under program director Lamonda Williams, before starting his own show "Tha Young Gunnaz Radio Takeover" with friend DJ Hektik.

Francis also produces a controversial mix tape series called "Ear 2 Tha Street" And Co-produces "Tha Young Gunnaz Mix Tape Takeover" with DJ Hektik.

Due to the devastation caused to KNOU's antenna by hurricane Katrina, Derrick then moved toWWHV in Virginia Beach.

On the 1 year anniversary of hurricane Katrina, Derrick and DJ Hektik released the classic "N.O. Weekend in ATL Mixtape". The project featured live updates on life "post-Katrina" from all of New Orleans' hip hop greats. Financial mismanagement within On Top Communications led to the format change of WWHV. The station was ultimately sold to Red Zebra Communications. Derrick continued to pursue a degree in Business Administration and focused on his group "Tha Street Team".

The group consists of Rico aka "Tha Real Baby Boy" and Derrick's cousin Young Marley. January 2007, Street Team released a mixtape hosted by Derrick and co-manager Freddy B entitled "Ear 2 Tha Street". It gained acclaim from hip hop fans all around the world. He also released "Put 'em on Tha Map: UK." with Nottingham, UK singer Lauren Kofi during this period. Derrick later would sign on with Sinclair Communications and join the staff at the newly formed "Energy 106.1" in Norfolk, VA.

Official Biography

[[Image:BIO: YOUNG FAME Derrick Francis (Derrick Tha Franchise aka Young Fame) was born in New Orleans, LA on September 19, 1985. His passion for music started at a very young age. At the age of nine years old, Derrick recorded vocals on a radio commercial for a local New Orleans rapper by the name of “Cisco”. That simple encounter with the music industry sparked a love that would last a lifetime.

At the age of fourteen years old Derrick actually released an independent rap album. During this period, Derrick attacked the small screen by hosting a local television show called "Teen Expression". The show dealt with issues ranging from teen pregnancy to the latest trends. Derrick quotes, "I was the host, cameraman and producer. I soaked up everything I could learn about television through Teen Expression. Whenever they wanted to teach me something new, I paid close attention and mastered it. That experience gives me confidence to become involved in television today."

When Derrick turned fifteen years old he decided that his true calling was more so as a dj and producer than a rapper. With the help of his mother, Derrick started Swift Productions, a full service mobile disc jockey company. Gaining a reputation around New Orleans as a disc jockey, Derrick decided to add event promoter to his resume. Derrick states. "I haven't met a youngster like me yet! I threw the parties and paid myself as the dj, marketing and just off of g! I loved it." By the end of 2003, Derrick sold the majority of his equipment to help cover cost in a family relocation to Virginia Beach, VA.

While attending Norfolk State University, Derrick tried out for their campus station and was rudely told that he wasn't good enough. In Derrick's words, they were “In the D" or “Chapter”. Derrick quotes, "I don't know what was wrong with them. I guess they thought that I wasn't what they were looking for. But, it was the best turndown of my life!" Early 2004, Derrick decided to relocate back to New Orleans to organize his life. Derrick says, " I actually was about to go to the NAVY! I got into a rear end collision like two days before I was supposed to leave. My girlfriend at the time hooked me up with a recruiter and I was about to be out of here."

While recouping from a life threatening car collision, Derrick heard an ad on radio station KNOU Hot 104.5 fm for interns. Derrick jumped at the chance to reunite with his music. Derrick feels, "I looked at it like my big chance. I knew if I outworked everyone there that I could be successful and maybe even build a career"; and that is exactly what happened. Program director Lamonda Williams discovered the "diamond in the raw". Derrick states, "I would sit behind her and listen to everything that she said on the mic. I kind of built my style on her principles. She also showed me that being close to God is cool. My first time on the air was actually like 2 to 4 in the morning. I thank her for that chance."

On KNOU Derrick touched thousands of people every week on his show "Tha Young Gunnaz Radio Takeover" with friend DJ Hektik of New Orleans, La. Derrick mentions, " I just enjoy being around great people like Raj Smoove, Jigga JT, Rob Nice when he was there, Big Herc, Lady Al-V, Jay Love, Nikki Rob, Dj Black N Mild, J Smooth, Monica Horne, Daryl Johnson and all of the people in advertising/marketing. We have a great team in New Orleans. I know without the help of God and many people, I wouldn't be where I am today."

He also produces a controversial mix tape series called "Ear 2 Tha Street" which to date has had over 49,000 downloads, and co-produces "Tha Young Gunnaz Mix tape Takeover" with Dj Hektik of The Hittmen Dj’s. Also with Dj Hektik, he released “Tha N.O. Weekend in ATL Official Mixtape” to celebrate the lives of those who survived hurricane Katrina. The mixtape was released on the one year anniversary of the disaster and peaked at over 11,000 downloads. He has also produced projects for an international audience. “Put ‘em on tha map: The United Kingdom” explores the musical talents of Nottingham, U.K. recording artist Lauren Kofi. Derrick assures that he has at least three more projects for The United Kingdom coming in 2007.

He’s also an up-and-coming producer. Derrick says, "Man, my tracks are the next big thing, serious. From a standpoint of someone who is in the industry, I know what it takes to have a hit record. I know what radio stations and A&R's want to hear. I have that sound that will take a regular artist and take him or her to the next level". He has Rich Boy’s “Throw some D’s” and Fam-Lay’s “Da Beeper Record” remixes to his credit at this time.

Derrick is truly a star on the rise. Due to the catastrophic impact of hurricane Katrina, Derrick's tenure at KNOU was unfortunately cut short. Derrick quotes of his experience with Katrina, "Man, it was a horrible experience for me. I was trapped down there for five days with everyone else. I don't want to belittle what anyone else went through, but I felt I had it bad. I was surrounded by dead bodies inside of a hospital with no sign of hope. I lost communication with everyone and the majority of people I knew had already evacuated anyway. My father and I ran out of food and water on the third day. I stayed because I was on the radio the night before, doing a hurricane special. I also ignored the reality of a catastrophe happening in my hometown. When I got out of New Orleans, I hopped on The First Flight to VA and here I am."

Derrick enrolled in Old Dominion University and landed a weekend shift on WWHV Hot 102.1 Virginia Beach; an affiliate of KNOU in New Orleans. Since Derrick has been on WWHV in Virginia Beach, his presence has been nothing short of remarkable. The name Young Fame has been ringing in every school, club, and carwash in the Hampton Roads area. Derrick states, "It's not me. I'm not special; I just have special people around me and special people praying for me. Big shout out to Parish Brown for showing me love."

In addition to solid on-air performances, Derrick has been able to help re-construct one of VA's hottest club nights “Sexy Sundaze”. Derrick says, "The line is around the building every week!" Derrick has also several mix tapes rummaging through the streets in 2006/2007. Derrick states, "Yeah, Im going to be heavy in the streets this year. I've even produced a couple of tracks for the mix tapes I'm working on." As a Communications major at ODU, Derrick is also interested in film production and cautions us to watch for him to make his mark in music video production.

With entrepreneurship in his DNA, Derrick is currently writing business plans and scouting locations for his first legitimate business, "Fresh 2 Def Barber Shop". Derrick has been mentioned in the Ozone Magazine (Ozonemag.com) and has an up-coming feature article in Get Em Magazine. He will also be mentioned in the next issue of Down Magazine. Derrick states, "Don't forget about Streets Magazine...I'm working with them too." Derrick is also working closely with trend setting clothing lines Azzure Denim, Funkey Flash Back Urban Apparel and friend “Crack Tracks” clothing line entitled ‘Spectacular’. He aspires to launch his own clothing brand entitled Euro. The line will be initially targeted to young men and women in urban American. At twenty one years old, Derrick is truly a renaissance man. He has since moved to the newly formed “Energy 106.1” in Norfolk, VA and his impact on ratings were immediately felt.Official Derrick "Young Fame"Francis Myspace Page