Today we’d like to introduce you to Desmond Williams.
Desmond, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Desmond Williams, also known as Tru Def, and my journey is one rooted in faith, resilience, purpose, and an unwavering belief that God can transform humble beginnings into something meaningful.
I was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Pleasant Grove, a community that shaped my character long before I understood its impact. Growing up, I witnessed both struggle and strength lessons in perseverance, hard work, and survival that would later become the backbone of my creative and entrepreneurial vision. Pleasant Grove taught me how to stay grounded, how to observe the world honestly, and how to find purpose even in adversity.
At the center of everything has always been my faith in God. I am a believer, and my faith is not just something I speak about—it is the foundation of my life. Through moments of uncertainty, transition, and growth, God consistently redirected my steps and refined my purpose. I learned early on that my gifts were never meant to glorify me, but to serve others and reflect truth, hope, and perseverance.
Music became my first calling. Under the name Tru Def, I began using Hip-Hop as a vehicle to tell real stories raw, uncut, and unapologetically honest. My sound naturally bridges original Hip-Hop, soulful Boom Bap, and trap-heavy 808s, all anchored by lyrical depth and emotional resonance. I wasn’t interested in trends; I was committed to authenticity.
That commitment opened doors beyond anything I could have imagined. My music has been featured across major platforms including NBA 2K25, VH1, and with organizations such as the NBA, NFL, WNBA, and MLB. I’ve had the honor of performing alongside icons like Lupe Fiasco, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Ludacris, Bun B, Fabolous, and Dave East, and was personally invited to perform at the GRAMMY Museum, a defining moment that affirmed the power of staying true to your calling. Along the way, I’ve also collaborated with global brands including Adidas, Smartwater, and Champion, further expanding my creative reach beyond music.
As my vision matured, I realized creativity alone wasn’t enough I wanted to build, own, and impact. That realization led me into entrepreneurship. I became deeply involved in real estate and technology, using each space as an opportunity to create long-term value and independence. My entrepreneurial mindset is rooted in stewardship understanding that success is responsibility, not just reward.
This mindset eventually led me into app development, where I combined creativity, problem-solving, and purpose. To date, I’ve created four apps, all available on the iOS App Store:
Fortune Finders – an affirmations app designed to promote mindset growth, positivity, and self-belief
My Budget Friend – a smart budgeting app that helps users take control of their finances
Wakely – an AI-powered alarm clock and reminders app focused on productivity and consistency
World Explore – a virtual travel experience that allows users to explore the world from anywhere
Each app reflects my desire to build tools that empower people, mentally, financially, and creatively.
Around the same time, I felt a deeper calling to travel and explore the world. Over the past three years, I’ve embraced a life of exploration, living abroad and immersing myself in different cultures alongside with my Wife Dana Williams. That journey has taken us to places like Thailand, Bali, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and beyond. Traveling reshaped my worldview, strengthened my faith, and expanded my understanding of humanity. It taught me that purpose isn’t confined to one location—and that growth often begins when you step into the unknown.
Today, I wear many hats: husband, believer, son, brother, entrepreneur, artist, producer, and app developer. Each role keeps me grounded and accountable. Success, to me, is not defined by recognition alone, but by alignment. Alignment with God, with purpose, and with the impact I leave behind.
Basketball has always been a part of my life, and being able to play and receive invitations to compete overseas in different countries, leagues, and tournaments has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience—some of my best moments—something I genuinely enjoy in my free time and a passion that keeps me grounded, in shape, and reminded that health is wealth.
Tru Def stands as the voice of authenticity, a believer, a creator, and a force for truth. My journey from Pleasant Grove to global stages, from music to technology, from faith to execution, is proof that when purpose leads, growth follows.
My story is still being written. And by God’s grace, the best chapters are yet to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Life rarely is. My journey has been filled with ups and downs, seasons of clarity and seasons of confusion, moments of faith and moments where I had to fight just to hold on to it. There were times when the vision was clear, but the resources weren’t. Times when I believed deeply in what God placed in me, yet questioned how—or when—it would all come together.
I’ve faced financial uncertainty, setbacks in business, creative droughts, and moments where opportunities didn’t pan out the way I hoped. I’ve poured time, energy, and faith into projects that didn’t immediately return results. As an artist and entrepreneur, rejection becomes part of the journey songs overlooked, ideas misunderstood, and doors that stayed closed longer than expected.
There were also internal struggles. Wrestling with self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure to carry multiple responsibilities at once. Balancing faith, family, creativity, business, and personal growth isn’t easy, and there were moments when I had to step back, reset, and be honest with myself about what needed to change. Traveling and living abroad, while incredibly rewarding, also came with isolation, uncertainty, and learning how to stay grounded without familiar support systems.
What kept me going through every low point was my faith in God. Not blind optimism but trust built through experience. I learned that setbacks weren’t punishments; they were preparation. Every delay taught me patience. Every failure refined my character. Every closed door forced me to grow in ways success never could.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been purposeful. And looking back, I wouldn’t change the struggles because they shaped the man, the believer, and the creator I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At my core, I’m a ”creator and builder” Everything I do, music, business, technology, and travel flows from that foundation. I work across multiple disciplines as a music artist, producer, entrepreneur, and app developer, but what connects it all is purpose. I don’t create just to exist in a space; I create to make an impact.
In music, I’m known as Tru Def, an artist whose sound is raw, real, and honest. I specialize in bridging original Hip-Hop, soulful Boom Bap, and modern trap production while maintaining lyrical depth and emotional truth. My music speaks for people who feel overlooked, misunderstood, or unheard. It’s rooted in authenticity, faith, and real-life experience not trends or gimmicks. I’m most proud of the fact that my music has reached global platforms, major sports leagues, and iconic stages without me compromising who I am or what I stand for.
Beyond music, I specialize in building systems and solutions. As an entrepreneur, I focus on real estate, digital marketing, and technology, always with long-term value in mind. In app development, I’ve created four iOS apps Fortune Finders, My Budget Friend, Wakely, and World Explore—each designed to empower users mentally, financially, and creatively. What I’m most proud of isn’t just launching the apps, but seeing people actually use them to improve their lives.
What truly sets me apart is my vision and mindset. I’ve never believed in trying to fit in. From early on, I understood that difference is the key, not conformity. I don’t create for approval, validation, or acceptance from people I create from conviction. I’ve learned that when you listen too closely to the noise around you, you lose clarity on the voice that matters most. For me, that voice is the Creator.
My vision is to stay aligned with my calling, not distracted by comparison. I focus on the journey ahead, trusting that purpose unfolds step by step. Being different has never been a weakness it’s been my advantage. It’s allowed me to move freely, build across industries, travel the world, and remain grounded in faith while navigating spaces that often pull people away from it.
I’m most proud of staying authentic even when it would’ve been easier to blend in. I’m proud of choosing purpose over popularity, growth over comfort, and faith over fear. Everything I build whether a song, a business, or an app is intentional, rooted in truth, and aligned with where God is leading me.
I don’t chase acceptance. I chase alignment. And that’s what continues to set me apart.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is legacy not just what I accomplish, but what I leave behind.
Generational wealth is important to me, but not in a shallow or material sense. To me, true generational wealth is about freedom, knowledge, faith, and opportunity. It’s about breaking cycles and creating options for the generations that come after me so they don’t have to start from scratch, question their worth, or feel boxed into someone else’s definition of success.
I care deeply about inspiring the next generation to understand that anything is possible. You don’t have to fit in. You don’t have to follow a single blueprint. You don’t have to be in a certain place, come from a certain background, or live life on someone else’s timeline. Every story is different, and that difference should be embraced not hidden. Being unique is not a weakness; it’s a gift.
Creating your own lane is a beautiful thing. It takes courage, patience, and faith to walk a path that hasn’t been clearly laid out. I want young people to see that you can build a life rooted in purpose, faith, creativity, and independence without confinement or comparison. That you can evolve, pivot, and grow without losing yourself along the way.
Giving back matters to me because I know what it feels like to need guidance, resources, or simply belief. My hope is to give back in ways I can’t even imagine yet through mentorship, opportunity, education, and access. Not just financially, but spiritually and mentally as well. I want to leave people better than I found them.
When it’s all said and done, I want my legacy to reflect more than success. I want it to reflect obedience to my calling, impact over ego, and purpose over popularity. If my journey shows even one person that they’re not confined, that their dreams are valid, and that their faith can carry them further than fear ever could—then everything I’ve built will have been worth it.
That’s what matters most to me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tru_def/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trudef.co
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmond-williams-302275139/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruDef
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/innovateapps/reels/
