[JACQUES]The late rapper and producer Speaker Knockerz, born Derek McAllister Jr., created
a sound, style and flow that continues to influence artists nearly 5 years after his death.
[JACQUES] And his fans argue that rappers like A-Boogie and Nav have drawn on SK’s
vibe, which was cut short just as his career was beginning.
[JACQUES] On March 6th 2014, the Bronx-born Columbia, South Carolina- raised MC was found
dead in his garage at only 19.
LIL KNOCK: I found out my brother passed away when I was 16.
I was in high school.
[JACQUES] That’s SK’s younger brother, Christian McAllister, aka Lil Knock.
Genius spoke with Christian on two separate occasions and he shared fond memories of his
older brother.
KNOCK: He taught me how to play basketball, how to shoot and dribble and give free throws.
I don't know that he knew that he had a short time, but he lived like it.
Like he knew he had a short time.
[JACQUES] Since Derek’s death, Lil Knock has been working to keep Speaker Knockerz
legacy alive in my ways - from starring in his posthumous music videos to looking over
his catalog.
KNOCK: If I was somebody's brother, I would want my little brother to help me build it
up if I'm not there.
[JACQUES] Speaker Knockerz started producing when he was about 13, drawing inspiration
from one of his favorite rappers, Soulja Boy.
[SPEAKER] Because Soulja Boy he was hot at that time.
[INTERVIEWER] At that time?
Definitely.
[SPEAKER] Everybody looked up to him I was just wondering how he made beats or whatever.
[JACQUES] He sold beats through Soundclick and, according to one report, made $42,000 in six months.
With that money he bought a car he had his eyes on for a long time.
[JACQUES] In 2011, he scored his first placement on Meek Mill’s breakthrough mixtape, Dreamchasers
by flipping the beat of one of another of his favorite artists, Future.
[JACQUES] He produced for a number of MCs but most notably Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz and
French Montana.
[JACQUES] However, Knockerz is remembered most for the beats that he kept for himself.
[JACQUES] Knockerz dropped his first mixtape, 'Flight Delayed,' in 2010 under the name of Jamol Junior.
[JACQUES] Later, he changed his name to Speaker Knockerz and soon his music started getting
attention on YouTube through some popular Chicago dance videos.
ZACK: A dude named Kemo.
He was a bop dancer.
[JACQUES] That’s director Zack Dillan of Loud Visuals.
He was at helm of every Speaker Knockerz music video beginning in Feb. 2013 with “Money.”
According to Dillan, Kemo was a popular YouTuber in the bop scene, a form of dance local to
the Windy City.
ZACK: And when "Money" first came out, he would be bopping to that song on Youtube.
[JACQUES] Knockerz also produced for Chi-Town artists, like Boss Baka.
[JACQUES] Knock even began to attract large crowds in Chicago.
This is how singer and former Vine star, Toni Romiti learned about his music.
TONI: When Speaker Knockerz would do shows in Chicago mother fuckers used to go crazy for him.
[JACQUES] Romiti used her platform to promote SK's music.
TONI: I would always make Vines dancing to his music and shit.
And lip syncing his music and stuff like that.
[JACQUES] This promotion contributed to Derek’s already busy 2013 - he released two mixtapes,
'Married To The Money' and 'Finesse Father' as well as several music videos, most notably
“Rico Story Pt. 1.”
[JACQUES] In early December, he dropped “Lonely,” a song that would become his biggest hit.
[JACQUES] Both the lyrics and beat captured what fans loved about SK’s vibe,
he was dark and moody yet uplifting at the same time.
According to his brother, the somber mood was because SK’s fame was beginning to affect
his life.
KNOCK: People start changing. Family start changing.
[JACQUES] It was undeniable, "Lonely" was taking off.
KNOCK: He knew it sounded good, but he didn't know it was gonna be that big.
[JACQUES] However it still needed a little push.
TONI: Derek hit me up.
He was like "Hey Toni. I'm about to put this new song out" and he sent it to me.
"Could you help me promote it?"
I said "Alright, bet I got you, bro.
TONI: It just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger on Vine
[JACQUES] A few days after Toni’s video another viner, Reggie Couz, kickstarted the meme.
REGGIE: Oh hey dad!
DAD: Sit your ass down.
REGGIE: Okay...you mad….or nah?
[JACQUES] But despite all of this attention, Speaker Knockerz remained unsigned.
[SPEAKER] I signed myself…
[INTERVIEWER] Yea? To who?
[SPEAKER] Myself.
[KNOCK] He didn't sign a deal, 'cause he independently made his own stuff.
[JACQUES] He founded his own label, Talibandz Entertainment, and continued to release music
on his own.
[JACQUES] On March 4th, 2014 he released “Erica Kane” named after the main character on
the ABC daytime soap, All My Children.'
[JACQUES] “Erica Kane” would be SK’s last song.
In the days that followed, Knockerz went missing.
[JACQUES] Shortly after, rapper-producer was found dead in his garage, next to his prized Camaro.
The medical examiner said there was no foul play.
[JACQUES] Lil Knock declined to go into details over his death but he did stress one thing.
KNOCK: It wasn't from lean.
[JACQUES] Tributes poured in from rappers like Gucci Mane, Young Dolph, the late Fredo
Santana and Soulja Boy.
SOULJA: A talented young brother, man. You know what I'm sayin? We gon miss you, bruh.
SODMG we supported you bruh.
[JACQUES] Since his passing, Speaker Knockerz sound has continued to resonate in hip-hop.
[JACQUES] His fanbase was primarily on the internet and many of those who are rappers
today shout him out on their songs.
[JACQUES] There have been were tributes to him in the form of remixes - one coming in
2014 from Florida’s Kodak Black.
[JACQUES] And it’s spanned worldwide, with the Chinese rap group Higher Brothers jumping
on SK's beat for “Count Up.”
[JACQUES] His autotune drenched melodic sound also influenced Compton rapper, Roddy Ricch,
who in an interview said quote:
[JACQUES] And the first song Seattle rapper Lil Mosey flipped was Speaker Knockerz “Scared Money."
[JACQUES] Knockerz has two posthumous projects, 'Married To The Money 2,' released shortly
after his death and in December 2018, Trained to Go,
featuring music from SK’s childhood friend Mook.
According to Lil Knock, he hopes other artists come calling because he has more in the vault.
KNOCK: I got a lot of beats by my brother that I would want to give to them.
[JACQUES] I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News,
bringing you the meaning and the knowledge behind the music.
Peace!