What is Mod Sun’s net worth?
Mod Sun is an American rapper, drummer, and singer who has a net worth of $8 million. He calls his music hippy-hop.
He gained popularity after the release of his first EP in 2010. In 2017, Mod Sun released his second studio album, titled – ”Movie.”
His name is actually an acronym that stands for – “Movement on Dreams, Stand under None.”
His level of experimentation doesn’t end with his taste in music, either.
The charismatic entertainer also landed on the mainstream radar when he began dating YouTube sensation Tana Mongeau and actress Bella Thorne—at the same time.
Mod Sun has packed a lot of activity into a short stretch of time—and we’re giving you the rundown on all of it. Are you ready?
The Origin Story
Mod Sun visits the Oakley Presents The Bananabeat Artist Lounge Powered By BODYARMOR Superdrink – @Getty
Mod Sun—whose real name is Derek Ryan Smith—was born in Bloomington, Minnesota, on 10 March 1987.
Derek’s parents had divorced by the time he was 5 years old, and he spent his time moving between Long Beach, California, to be with his dad, and wherever his mom was living for work.
It was the best of both worlds and as positive a situation as it could be for the young boy.
Through his dad he met the drummer from the Ska band, Sublime—his dad’s neighbor.
Thanks to his mother’s drive and ambition to provide a good life, he spent time on a farm in Corcoran, Minnesota.
By his early teens, Derek’s passion for music had solidified.
Uncovering a Passion for Music
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He was attending concerts across a plethora of genres, listening to everything from Sublime and Fall Out Boy to All-American Rejects, and Blink 182 to Eminem.
He was also making a name for himself and his ability to spot up-and-coming talent.
In a 2022 interview, Smith explained that his mother always encouraged his passions, and trusted him to do the right thing.
She gave her son permission to offer touring bands a place to stay while they were in town.
She was also fine with him heading off to school—and her heading off to work—while the band members recovered in her home.
“The Early November [ended up] staying at my house. My mom was the cool mom. That’s how I got cracked into the whole scene. My mom was so trusting and cool. She knew how much I loved music.”
The Early November—who went on to achieve mainstream fame with Sunday Drive—performed in the Smith’s house, with Derek even getting a camcorder out to record the impromptu gig.
“The next day, I woke up and went to school as a ninth grader.”
Mod Sun had a similar story when it came to mainstream millennial sensation, the All-American Rejects.
“I watched them play with [a band] who were from my city. I watched them play for five people in a café in Minneapolis. And now look.”
The Hustle and Flow
Mod Sun attends the 2022 MTV VMAs at Prudential Center – @Getty
Mod Sun’s work ethic has always been next level, with the performer admitting that Travis Barker changed his life. “I realized that this is my way to make it out.”
For the next several years, Mod Sun would watch a performance by blink 182 at Sydney’s Big Day Out, learning each set by Travis Barker one minute at a time.
He explained that he would let the video load, practice a one minute piece of drumming for an hour, and then move on to the next piece.
After stints playing the drums for a local pop-punk band and a post-hardcore band in the early 2000s, Mod Sun released his debut album, Look Up, in March of 2015.
The album scored a Billboard #1 spot, with the next studio album, Movie, only reaching #16.
In 2017, Mod Sun released his third studio album.
Over the next few years, more albums, EPs, mixtapes, and singles would follow—including a collaboration with famed pop alternative singer, Avril Lavigne.
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Girlfriend
In 2018, Bella Thorne and Tana Mongeau were making headlines—both separately and together.
Bella Thorne and Mod Sun attend Halloween Horror Nights 2018 at Universal Studios Hollywood – @Getty
At the time, Bella Thorne was a well-known actress, model, and cultural icon. Tana Mongeau was a YouTuber with millions of subscribers and a dramatic relationship with one of the Paul brothers.
That all changed when the two celebrities began dating each other. Suddenly they were catching attention—and judgement—from all sides. Since neither woman had sworn off men altogether, Bella began dating Mod Sun.
Over time, he and Tana became close, too, but in 2019 Bella confirmed that she was no longer seeing Tana. She was, however, still dating Mod Sun.
Bella and Derek claimed to have gotten engaged, married, and divorced—all by the end of 2019.
While appearing on “The Domenick Nati Show,” Derek questioned Bella’s fidelity during their relationship.
He said:
“I broke up with her. I ended the relationship! She’s the one who took it straight to the internet and went ‘We’re done.'”
Fiancée
After Derek’s split from Bella, he briefly rekindled a romance with Tana, before moving on to date Avril Lavigne in 2021.
Avril Lavigne and Mod Sun attend the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena – @Getty
The pair, who collaborated on her 2021 hit Flames, confirmed that they were engaged after a trip to Paris, France, in April of 2022. They broke off the engagement on February 21, 2023.
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Quotes
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”You’ll never be lonely if you love the person you’re alone with.”
”I feel present right now.”
“It’s about empowerment. It’s about saying it’s okay to sit by yourself on a Friday night and make music.”
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Mod Sun arrives to the 65th GRAMMY Awards – #GRAMMYsNextGen 2nd Annual Party at the GRAMMY House – @Getty
Net Worth
So, how much is Mod Sun worth?
Derek earned most of his money from selling tickets to his concerts. In addition, Smith sells merch (hats, t-shirts, bags, hoodies) on his website.
Derek has a YouTube channel that has more than 151 million views (about $450k in revenue) and sells his albums and singles (especially online).
In addition, Smith has authored several books, including Did I Ever Wake Up?.
He owns a house in LA.
Therefore, Mod Sun has an estimated net worth of $8 million.
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I am Bulgarea Candin Stefan, and I founded FamousPeopleToday.com in 2018. I’m using my bachelor’s degree in economics and 9 years of experience in blogging to guide millions of people through the incredibly complex world of celebrity net worths.