Host of the Month Daniel Augustin

We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed Haitian American actor, director, writer, and musician extraordinaire Daniel Augustin; greetings and salutations, Daniel! Before we mosey down the music and celluloid Q&A pathway, how has the freshly-minted autumn of 2023 been treating you?

It’s been interesting to say the least. The season’s been quietly promising and hopeful, despite the confusion of what’s going on with the industry. It’s been an extremely useful time to pivot, to heal, to educate and to connect with myself and loved ones. I’m grateful.

Getting the ball rolling, you’re well-known for your star-turn in the HBO Max comedy series Rap Sh!t, but you’re also a respected Hip-Hop artist with an amazing discography under your belt! For those fans that might only know you through your acting prowess, what songs would you suggest they check out from your music to give them a fair idea of who you are as a musician?

You can always go on YouTube for the first tape and miscellaneous records that found their way to the surface (whether completed or not), but I’d tell them to follow me on Instagram. Prep for the new shit. Pre-download what’s about to hit the stores next.

You’re a Haitian American born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. How do those seemingly disparate roots inform you as an artist and as a person?

I’ve gotta say discipline. Haitians who come here from Haiti don’t play about work. There would be times growing up when I wouldn’t see my mom for three days in a row because she had multiple jobs and none of them intersected with my schedule.

Being from Haiti, what music from that country turns you on as a fan and as an artist?

The homie Daniel Prophete just put me onto Medjy when he sent me this record called Konsèy, but before that, Coupe Cloue’s catalog is wild.

Word ‘round industry campfire has it that you’re currently hard at work on a slew of new music - Congrats! Can you give fans a hint or three as to what they can look forward to with the music you’re currently working on?

Visuals, story, fun, flirtation, seduction, big business, big play, big r&b energy.

How is the new music which you’re hard at work on differ from some of your past music such as I’m Sorry 4 the Delay? How is it similar?

Similar wherein I’m going to work with some of the same musicians when and where possible, but it’ll be different because I’m going to be working with a lot of others. The first tape probably should’ve been a diary. This is going to still be playful and personal but I’m more confident about getting surgical and this feeling adult. A lot has changed since that tape.

What can you tell our ever-inquisitive readers about the Tough Love Series/YouTube Channel Kinfolk: The Series for which you serve not only as a director and editor, but also as a producer and director of photography?

True labor of love, true collaborations. I remember while filming this I told my reps not to bother sending me any auditions for the three months we locked in to film. Above the line, the actors made this bigger than the page. Sh’Kia knocked the script out the park, but each of the actors knocked this out the park and they flowed with me as the director. It was a very intimate filmmaking process based on our shooting schedule. I filmed the show on my own so I did the audio, the lighting and cinematography. As I was setting up, the actors were connecting, the actors were working out the scene and I believe it shows on screen. Below the line, I got to collaborate with so many amazing creatives. Anthony Misiano was my right hand when it came to the edit. He supported me when I hit a creative breakdown, I love that guy. The tone and music of the show is where I had some of the most fun. My wife and I really felt like some family dynamics feel like a circus so that was our way in. While working on my album, I set up a live rehearsal and met some musicians from Berklee College of Music. Daniel Prophete and Somesh Das really helped spin up the cotton candy that is this sweet ass soundtrack. I’m actually VERY excited to create an official soundtrack for the show because I’m incredibly proud of the work that all the artists put in. Somesh and I worked very closely whether remotely or at his home studio while carefully crafting the tone of this show.

How does your own Haitian heritage play into Kinfolk: The Series?

I don’t think it shows… Through my mom and aunt, I learned that a lot of Haitians show their love through the way they cook for you. They’ll take the day off if they have to so that they can come correct with what’s on the table and that’s something I did in my own way. I remember my wife and I doing pre-production from March - July, and in July & August I told my reps not to bother sending me anything because I was going to be putting in work. I didn’t give myself a role in the show, I focused heavily on working with the other performers as their lead supporter, fan and cheerleader.

With new music forthcoming from your corner of the universe, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/ performing circuit in the coming weeks and months?

Hell yeah. I wanna see y’all pull up on me. Everything’s on the gram.

You’ve worn so many different hats, creatively-speaking. Do you have a preference between acting and music, or is it an apples/oranges kind of thing?

Fruit platter vibes. A career of feasting is more my preferred taste.

You’re a big advocate of men’s health. What drives this passion on your part?

I just want to live well. Physical health, mental health, spiritual health. I think it’s so easy to take health for granted when life takes over and your career, kids or personal goals come into play. What’s most interesting is that we can’t really enjoy any of these things unless we have our health.