Bringing back the dope beats and laid back flow popular in the 90s, add in skateboard swagger and California vibin’ to the mix and you have the artist Speaker Child.
High on Wheels EP debuts his sophisticated flow and sheer adrenaline of the high—from the dro or the flow of the wheels below his feet, or in this case, both!
As executive producer for this project, in collaboration with Andre Nickatina, out of the Bay area, this unlikely pairing came together from a last minute, successful video shoot that turned into a tour of the West Coast from San Diego to Seattle. After seeing Seattle, Speaker Child decided to lay down roots to be part of the vibrant music scene.
In his debut album, Mind On My Business, Speaker Child’s collaboration with local and national artists gained him recognition and respect among his peers. With thousands of miles traveled, multiple venues played, Speaker Child is just hitting his stride as an artist. The upcoming EP will take you on a journey of life, skateboarding, and of course, the dro!
Q: When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: When it’s time to work on a new record it always depends on the beat. If I’m into it, then it’s not stressful at all. I come up with the topics and start writing. At my earlier stages of going into the studio was a bit stressful.I had no idea what I was doing. Now, I feel comfortable and I’m excited to get in the studio. Just the other day the record label sent me a track with just a hook and asked me to write and record a verse. I booked a session, wrote in the studio, then recorded and sent back within less than three hours of receiving the message. I love being in the studio.
Q: How do you shut things out?
Ans: Best thing for me to shut things out, is when I’m boarding the plane. Travel is a great way to shut things out and hit the reset button. It gets the wheels turning and ideas flowing. I did a backpack trip across Europe solo and that time I felt true freedom. No plans, just travel country to country meeting new people via Couchsurfing. I left America with only $1000, a one way ticket to Frankfurt, Germany and a return flight from Copenhagen, Denmark to Seattle, WA.
The art of connection!
Q: How easily do songs tend to come to you?
Ans :Ideas and topics are usually always flowing through my mind. I always listen to phrases people say and I sample my day.
“Done For The Day” is a another song I just recorded. I was on a construction sight and a contractor was so frustrated with installing hard wood floors, he threw a piece of hard wood across the room and shouted “I’m done for the day!” Immediately I’m thinking new song.
Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Ans: Listen to my inner instincts and my first intuition.
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Ans: Food, dance, travel, story telling
Q: You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the proccess?
ANS:All the music is based off of my surroundings and phrases I hear or food I eat or places I’ve been and the people I meet.
Q:Who are your inspirations?
Ans: Roc Phizzle, 2pac, Too $hort and Andre Nickatina
Q: If you could perform with anyone, in the future, who would it have to be?
Ans: G Easy would be really fun to perform with. He has a huge fan base and his music is real good.
Q: Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?
Ans: My first tapes I listened to was Alkaholiks and Too Short. I’m definitely influenced by old records, you can hear it in all my music.
Q: How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?
Ans: Balance is difficult, but that’s just life. I own my businesses which allows me freedom to create. At the moment I have no children and no mate.
I’m focused, so I’m single till further notice.
