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Whereas many musicians would consider taking a nearly 4-decade hiatus from their craft as the end of a story, for Demetrius “DJ Matrix” Ford, it is just the start of something greater.
Raised in South Central Los Angeles, music was a big part of his childhood. With his mother being a gifted singer and working with amazing artists like Marvin Gaye and The O’Jays, he was brought up in the music industry. He had rhythm from the beginning, but music was never his objective; it was his safe place.
“It was when times were really hard, when it felt like the sky was falling, that something would play on the radio and make everything seem better. Music was my escape before it became my destination.
It was when he attended a live concert by Uncle Jams Army and caught his first glimpse of The Egyptian Lover DJing that he realized it was time to find his destination. It seemed that he was in an entirely different space, and a new world had opened its doors to him. Soon thereafter, his decision to become a producer and artist was influenced by the song “Egypt, Egypt” on the radio.
A Life Redirected
At 17 years old, life forced DJ Matrix to make a decision that would change his path completely. Having lost friends due to gang violence and drugs, he decided to leave Los Angeles, not because he feared something, but because of ambition. Eleven days after graduating from high school, Demetrius joined the military to learn the discipline it takes to be great.
“I wasn’t running away from anything,” he explains. “I was running towards greatness.”
This is how he approached every next stage of his life. Although he found a natural skill for producing music, making his first beat with a drum machine became not just a way to show off his skills, but also a way to share his gift with the world. Having never been formally taught how to play any musical instruments, he prayed for the ability to take what was inside his head and record it.
One day, it happened; he felt a melody which he believed had been given to him by God. He grabbed his drum machine and keyboard, looked down at those keys, and just started playing that melody. It was the very first piece of music he ever made, and it became his first single, “It’s Time To Rock.” This helped him realize what he should do with his life. Having grown up in a family where religion played a major part, he didn’t question this revelation at all.
Success Without Spotlight
As soon as “It’s Time to Rock” gained some fame, everything pointed towards it being his break. However, reality proved otherwise; his active service in the US Marine Corps prevented him from enjoying any meaningful success. Live performances were few, exposure minimal, and the expected career boost could not happen while serving.
After releasing his next song, “Feel My Bass,” he re-established himself in the Electro/Miami Bass scene and laid the foundation for a promising future. As he was starting to get somewhere in his career, reality knocked at his door, yet again.
In 1990, Operation Desert Shield started, followed by Desert Storm. His participation in the Gulf War altered his perspective, and music became less prominent in his life afterward. When he finished serving in the Marine Corps in 1993, he accepted that music was fun but didn’t provide the financial security his young family needed. Selling all of his equipment and putting an end to his musical career, he chose a different path in life and became a stockbroker.
A Legacy Rediscovered
For decades, DJ Matrix thought his music had faded away. Almost forty years later, a phone call brought an end to all of that uncertainty. The artist who initially inspired him to enter the music industry, The Egyptian Lover, contacted him through a third party. At about the same time, he discovered that people had posted his music online along with comments numbering into the thousands. Some had always been following him, while others had recently discovered him. They wanted to know one thing: Why would he ever stop?
Going through those messages, most of which were written decades ago, was mind-blowing. He had no idea his music affected that many people. “They’re calling me a legend, and I’ve only got two songs.” It was more than just a sense of discovery; it was an inspiration of its own kind.
The Second Chapter
At almost 60, DJ Matrix is embarking on an ambitious journey, something considered impossible for someone of his age. His comeback is more about his legacy and about closing out a chapter in his life that is more than 35 years old.
“It’s never too late to chase your dreams and make them come true,” he said.
With the highly anticipated remake of his iconic “Feel My Bass,” “Feel My Bass (Reloaded)” now out, and the debut of his new alter ego, House Of Neo, titled “Drift Away” arriving June 5th, DJ Matrix’s creative energy is fueled by modern production tools. Bridging generations, he’s honoring the roots of Miami Bass and Electro while exploring new sounds through his House Of Neo alias.
Perhaps most meaningful of all is sharing this journey with his children, who only recently discovered this chapter of his life. Their support, he says, has been everything. “They are proud of me, not only because I’m playing music, but also because I’m taking this necessary risk.” And in a world that often moves too fast to look back, DJ Matrix’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful comebacks aren’t about reclaiming the spotlight; they’re about rediscovering purpose.
Listen to “Feel My Bass (Reloaded)” out now below: