Speaker Knockerz

Derek McAllister Jr., known professionally as Speaker Knockerz, was an American rapper and record producer whose rise coincided with the early 2010s surge of internet-based hip-hop. Raised in Columbia, South Carolina, he built his initial reputation as a self-taught producer, developing his skills independently and selling instrumentals while still a teenager.

After starting out behind the boards, Speaker Knockerz moved into rapping in the early 2010s and began releasing mixtapes. His work circulated largely through self-released material and online promotion, reflecting a period when social platforms and direct-to-fan distribution were increasingly central to rap’s discovery pipeline. In 2013, his profile expanded significantly with the release of the song “Lonely,” which spread widely on social media and brought his music to a broader audience beyond his local base.

Speaker Knockerz is associated with Columbia, South Carolina, and released music through Royalties Records. He is also known by his given name, Derek McAllister Jr. His career encompassed both rapping and production, with his early years defined by beat-making and the sale of instrumentals before he established himself as a recording artist in his own right.