Speaker Knockerz

Derek McAllister Jr., known professionally as Speaker Knockerz, was born on November 6, 1994, in the Bronx, New York. His early life was marked by his father, Derek McAllister Sr.'s incarceration, leading his mother, Mesha Wilson, to relocate the family to Columbia, South Carolina, seeking a healthier environment. It was in South Carolina that McAllister developed a passion for hip-hop music, attending Kelly Mill Middle School, Ridge View High School, and Westwood High School. Upon his father's release in 2010, McAllister Sr., a musician himself, assisted his son in creating his first mixtape, "Flight Delayed".

At 13, McAllister began experimenting with the beat-making program Fruity Loops after being inspired by a video of rapper Soulja Boy using it. Around 2010 and 2011, he sold his first instrumental to a Miami rapper for $50, using the earnings to purchase a pair of speakers. As a producer, he collaborated with artists such as Gucci Mane, Young Scooter, French Montana, and Shy Glizzy. In spring 2012, he adopted the moniker Speaker Knockerz and began rapping to promote his production work. In 2013, he released two mixtapes: "Married to the Money" and "Finesse Father". That same year, he debuted his first music video, "Money", produced by his friend Loud Visuals. In September 2013, he released the music video for "Rico Story Part 1", and in December 2013, he unveiled "Lonely" alongside its accompanying music video. "Lonely" garnered mainstream attention, with fans promoting it on the social media platform Vine, leading him to purchase a black Chevrolet Camaro at the age of 19. By the time of his passing, he had 49 tracks available for purchase on iTunes. In May 2014, his family posthumously released the music video for "Erica Kane", the last song he released during his lifetime. In September 2014, his mixtape "Married to the Money II" was posthumously released.

On March 6, 2014, Speaker Knockerz was found deceased in his garage at his South Carolina home. Coroner Gary Watts reported no signs of trauma or foul play, and an autopsy found no indications of drug use. His death was ruled as natural causes, though some reports suggest it was due to a heart attack. In a 2023 interview, his mother addressed misconceptions about his cause of death, stating it did not involve drugs or a heart attack. It is now believed he died of carbon monoxide poisoning from running his car in a closed garage.

Speaker Knockerz was recognized as a frontrunner in the melodically-driven state of modern rap and has been cited as an influence by numerous rappers. His discography includes the studio albums "Flight Delayed" (2010), "Married to the Money" (2013), and "Finesse Father" (2013). Posthumously, "Married to the Money II" (2014) and "The GOAT" (2024) were released.