Interview with G-Funk Rapper “Speaker Child”

Please introduce yourself to the readers and how you first got into this field of work –and who were some of your influences growing up?

Hello, this is Speaker Child aka Brian Augustine. I’m a G-Funk rapper from California. My family background is from Palermo, Sicily and Calabria, Italy. I got into music and skateboarding at a young age and went on a skate tour through the state of Washington. I decided to lay roots in Seattle, WA. I met a producer there Roc Phizzle who is a big influence on my music. I started to work on my debut album with Phizzle and Jay Battle along with a whole list of rappers from Seattle to the Bay Area ‘Mind On My Business’ which is out now and available on all platforms. Growing up my influences in music was all geared towards the Bay Area.

What kind of training have you had, if any?

My training was all in the studio in Seattle working with an Engineer that goes by D-Sane. He was not easy on me. I was stuck in the booth until I got the right take. Sometimes it took over an hour just for one verse. Now my record is 20 minutes for two verses and a hook. I’ve been working a lot with my producer Roc Phizzle over the last year to get the sound we need for my second album ‘High On Wheels’ which is set to be released August 2019.

What has been your favourite project to work on so far?

My favourite project is ‘Hot Wing Session’ ft. Andre Nickatina And Feez the Germ. The song originally was with Rappin’ 4-Tay and Feez the Germ.

4-Tay wasn’t able to make the video shoot in Reno, NV. So the day before the video-shoot 4-Tays management lined me up with opening a show in Lake Tahoe for Andre Nickatina. After my performance, I was trying to think of a way to get this video shoot completed. Models were already hired, hotel suite at the Peppermill was booked, the videographer was ready and Feez was flying into Reno from Seattle. So I had to think quick since this video is happening in less than 24 hours. I had to figure out a new game plan. So after the Tahoe show ended, I asked Andre after his performance if he could write, record audio and video all in one day. He agreed with the right price. We all met the next morning at a recording studio and then later in the day and into the night we started filming. That’s the moment ‘Hot Wing Session’ was created and accomplished. After the ‘Hot Wing Session’ Nickatina liked how I worked and asked me to jump on a mini Oregon tour. Which lead into playing shows from Seattle to San Diego.

How did you get the gig?

I was asked by the record Label 75 Girls Records out of Oakland, CA (Too Short was signed by them in 1986) to write a song called Phat Ass. I was told to picture myself rolling in a Rolls Royce with a girl with the Phat Ass. I wrote two verses and then later the label bought my flight down to L.A to shoot the music video. That was a fun video. I was asked to wear the avelour suit. So as soon as I landed in LAX I changed into my suit in the bathroom at the airport. I was then picked up by a driver and I was being filmed immediately as I arrived at the filming location. Roc Phizzle produced the instrumental on that joint.

What sports do you enjoy watching?

Skateboarding, Snowboarding, MMA and Football.

What has been one of the biggest highlights/achievements of your career?

My biggest Highlight was signing a three album deal with 75 Girls records with distribution by Empire.

If you had a chance to work alongside anybody who would that be?

I would say Suga Free And Dj Quick

What projects do you have coming up?

My next single will be released soon titled ‘Jiggle Juice’ and my second full-length album ‘High On Wheels’ is set to be released in August.

Who is your inspiration?

2pac

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read or seen this week?

The man from Japan walking his pet Caiman.

What are your favourite venues to perform in?

Favourite venues would be Music Box in San Diego, Roxy Theatre in L.A, Wow Hall in Eugene, OR. The Roseland Theater in Portland, OR.

The Mystic Theatre in Petaluma and Showbox in Seattle, WA

Social Profiles:

Instagram @speakerchild

Facebook @speakerchild

Twitter @speakerchild_

How did you come up with the idea for your Music video?

‘Mobbin Since Monday’ was filmed in Seattle, WA. so we mobbed via car and boat.

Do you have any advice for young music makers like yourself?

Keep pushing yourself and don’t give up. This industry takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You’ll have to sacrifice a lot to keep things rolling.

Who were the biggest inspirations for your career?

Andre Nickatina And Roc Phizzle