King June – The Making of a Mogul

Born Derrick “King June” Ballard in Honolulu, Hawaii, June’s journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and raw talent. Raised in a military household, constant travel exposed him to diverse cultures and perspectives, shaping a worldview that would later influence his artistry. Though he spent his early years moving city to city, Atlanta, Georgia— his family’s roots — became home and the foundation of his creative empire.

At just eight years old, June’s first love was baseball. But everything changed when his mother bought him his first rap album. The beats, the lyrics, the energy — it lit a fire that never went out. By age 11, June submitted his first demo to Slip-N-Slide Records, proving that even as a kid, he was serious about his dreams.

Tragedy struck when, at fifteen, June lost his closest friend and group member to violence. Instead of quitting, he turned the pain into purpose. Music became therapy — the one thing that kept him moving forward through every setback, from legal troubles and family separation to periods of homelessness.

Inspired by Master P, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, and Jermaine Dupri, King June adopted a mogul mentality early on. In high school, he sold his self-recorded CDs straight out of his locker. By 2012, he launched iDYMES Magazine, which went on to feature major artists like 6lack, Future, The Game, Waka Flocka, Gucci Mane, and K Camp, among others. This move not only solidified June’s name in the entertainment world but showcased his ability to create platforms — not just art.

Never one to be boxed in, June expanded into filmmaking. In 2021, he wrote, directed, and starred in his first feature film, Quad City. Since then, he has gone on to write, direct, and film over 20 projects and release 7 studio albums, all while authoring 4 books and publishing over 120 issues under his magazine imprint.

Now the founder of Eye V. League Entertainment, King June is focused on building an empire that represents authenticity and ambition. “It’s all part of my plan to insert my music and my message,” he says. “I don’t want to blend in — I want to stand apart.”

At 38 years old, King June’s story is just beginning. With over 200 songs recorded, a vision for creative independence, and an unshakable belief in his purpose, he’s not just chasing greatness — he’s defining it.