Carmelo Anthony launching Creative 7 in 2021 showed how well he understood the creators. For those unaware, the content company is all about bringing powerful stories to life across film, television, and digital platforms. But Melo’s respect for artists stretches far beyond his company’s mission. And if you need proof, just ask Efrain Merced, better known as DJ Mode.

During a recent chat on Talking With Donato, DJ Mode was asked if he ever had an NBA moment where a player recognized his work. Without hesitation, one name came to DJ Mode’s mind—Carmelo Anthony.

“So I would say that the guest DJ spot that I did for the NBA playoffs… I’m going to blank on the year. But they played the Celtics. I remember that. And it was game 4 of the series and pre-game. So I was there early, and I was just doing soundcheck. And Melo came over and dapped me up and was like, yo, listen… ‘You’re crushing it…’ That was incredible,” Merced recalled on the show.

Now, let’s put that into perspective. Imagine you’re setting up, doing your thing, and out of nowhere, a 10-time NBA All-Star comes up, acknowledges your work, and gives you props. That’s the kind of moment that sticks with you forever.

For those unfamiliar with DJ Mode’s journey, he wasn’t always rocking NBA arenas. His career started at just 17 years old, interning at a DJ school in New York City. But things really took off in 2008, when he got the chance to DJ at the NBA All-Star Weekend while performing at a celebration for Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies.

From there, his career went into overdrive. DJ Mode became the associate music director at Madison Square Garden, which later led to him being named the music director for the $850 million franchise that is New York City FC. That role opened even more doors, taking him into music production for commercials and television.

But even with all his success, that brief moment with Carmelo Anthony stood out—because it wasn’t just about a compliment. It was about recognition, about one artist seeing another and saying, I see you. I appreciate what you do.

And in a world where creatives often go unnoticed, Melo is not just helping out with these heartfelt gestures but has also taken initiatives like Creative 7.

A closer look at Carmelo Anthony’s content production company

As confirmed in an article by Variety, movies and television weren’t just entertainment for Carmelo Anthony—they were an escape. Growing up, he found inspiration in strong characters from Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, along with the powerful storytelling of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.

No wonder that even after finding immense success on the basketball court, Melo always had a passion for creating content. So, even after building a legendary NBA career, Anthony never let go of his passion for storytelling. Instead, he took control, stepping behind the scenes to create content that amplifies diverse voices—stories that, for too long, went unheard. And that’s how he started Creative 7 alongside his decade-old partner Asani Swann.

Melo’s goal? To spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and create meaningful change.

“Storytelling brings people together, and it can serve as a vehicle for propelling larger societal conversations and understanding,” Anthony shared with Variety. “We are interested in all types of stories that have the power to serve as catalysts for the change we wish to see in the world.” This desire to see the change is what makes you appreciate finer things. Probably what motivated Carmelo Anthony to praise DJ Mode for his work.