Check Out August Rigo’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to August Rigo.

Hi August, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started doing music from way back as a child. My dream was to become Michael Jackson lol. I saw a video of him from Motown 85 when he first did Billie Jean and the moonwalk and I was sold on what I wanted to do which was music. I was always performing for people at a young age and fast forward I went to a high school for performing arts focusing on sacred music and chorale (choir) and classical music (Opera). After that I went to school for Jazz for a year and finally after went to school for sound engineering. Held down a plethora of jobs after school and decided that I needed to move to NY. I stayed on a friends couch for months at a time standing outside of various record labels everyday handing out CDs to anyone who would take them. This was early 2000’s so this was pre YouTube, SoundCloud or any social media whatsoever so this was the way for me to let people hear my music. Through that I actually was able to get some meetings at the labels and at the time I was shopping my artist project. Being Asian (Filipino) the comments I was getting were you don’t look how you sound so we’re not sure what to do with you as an artist. They did however really like my songs and suggested that maybe I write for some other artists to get my foot in the door. This began my journey as a songwriter/producer. Couple years of handing out cd’s doing meetings and sessions and I found myself working under the Trackmasters lived at their production house for about a year and a half before I decided to leave and go back home because I was broke. A chance meeting with Boi1da allowing me to write a song with him (2008-2009ish) which started some notoriety with me as a songwriter on the label side. This eventually lead to me getting sessions with many top producers (Stargate, JR Rotem, Timbaland, DJ Khaled and the Runners, Jerry Wonda) which culminated in my first placements with Justin Bieber (U Smile, Stuck in a Moment, Kiss and Tell). After this lead to cuts with One Direction, Musiq Soulchild, Sean Kingston among others. While doing Bieber I was working a lot with L.A. Reid which lead to my artist record deal with DefJam. Put together a great album featuring collaborations with Boi1da, Stereotypes, Dj Khaled, Da Internz even Busta Rhymes but unfortunately that album got shelved and I was dropped from
The label when L.A. Reid left DefJam. Started going to Korea in 2013 starting my journey in Kpop. Moved to LA, went through a lot of changes in management and an experienced a huge down period in my writing. Did 3 years in LA went broke and moved back home. Wrote Back to Sleep (Chris Brown) at this time but didn’t actually get cut or released till 2.5 years later. Locked in on doing kpop, eventually pushing to get BTS cuts and landed the 2 lead singles on their album Map Of The Soul 7. (ON and Black Swan) Currently continuing to do lots of Kpop landing cuts all across that industry while currently running my studio here in Toronto where I write produce and create content.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely been a rollercoaster. Navigating the ups and downs of the industry. Going from being the top writer in the game to not being able to get a call answered is definitely a humbling experience. Being stolen from, broken promises, getting screwed over I think is par for the course in this line of work. The biggest lesson I learned from a creative standpoint was to be true to what you do, but at the same time open your mind to other genres and be a good study of music so that what you do turns into a broader scope.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I sing write and produce music. I’m also an engineer as well. What i specialize in is toplining which on the writing side is usually classified as lyrics and melody. I am most known for classic pop R&B and most recently kpop.
I am most proud of my resilience. Being able to pivot and adapt and still be an influence and creative force after being in this for almost 20 years. What sets me apart is my ability to morph into the different roles. Whether it’s a songwriter, producer, engineer or even a discerning A&R I’m able to perform at a high level in all those scenarios.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Because I’m so Musiccentric, I like to go to outside influences to help trigger my creativity. A little break from my normal studio routine really helps so inlisten to podcasts like Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan etc. With regards to writing and my creative process I like to watch movies listen to genres outside of my typical pop realm to open my taste up. Working out and just being more health conscious as I’ve gotten older has really helped me stay sharp and motivated to keep pushing. I also have a family now (wife and 3 kids 1, 4 and 6) which is always a good reason to get out of bed and get it in!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.augustrigo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/augamatic?igsi=c3pkb2g5YjdxcWdh&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
All photos by Remy Butabi for SummerChild.