Review Fix Exclusive: Battle Ax Talks ‘Life of Gia’ and S.O.G. Crew

Review Fix chats with actor and rapper Dr. Robert “Battle Ax” Ornelas, who discusses his new role in the upcoming film, “Life of Gia,” as well as the status of the S.O.G. Crew’s upcoming album.

About Battle Ax:

Dr. Robert “Battle Ax” Ornelas from Hip Hop group The S.O.G. Crew (Thump Records/ Universal Music Group) will be featured in the upcoming movie, Life of Gia, coming this December. Ornelas has been busy over the last few years touring the country as a gospel Hip Hop artist with S.O.G. Crew, running for Vice President of the United States in 2012  as part of the American Independent Party, and recently working on the soundtrack of the new movie Where Is Good, directed by Ricky Burchell out of Nashville. Battle Ax, as he is known to the Hip-Hop community, has teamed up with filmmaker Romane Simon in this movie, which features Sarah Baker as Gia.

Review Fix: How did you hear about this role?

Battle Ax: I heard about role while at acting school with Bobbie Chance. Every Thursday night Bobbie Chance leads her actors through showcasing their scenes in front of industry professionals at her acting school Expressions Unlimited in Sherman Oaks, CA. A few weeks ago while at Thursday night showcase I did a scene with Darling Land as I played a New York City detective. That night I was able to talk with Director Romane Simon and he invited me to feature in the Life of Gia Movie. I was able to work out my schedule because I was flying out to Plymouth, New Hampshire to do a few Hip Hop events at the same time of filming the movie.

Review Fix: What was the audition like?

Battle Ax: The audition took place at Bobbie Chance’s acting studio in front of top Hollywood directors. I really didn’t know what I got myself into to tell you the truth. I went from not having any acting experience to stepping into weekly auditions to blockbuster projects. Director Tony Tarantino the father of Quentin Tarantino was an honored guest that night as he was searching for the next big star to play in his upcoming movie of Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzmán. Other directors in the audience that night where His Excellency Ambassador Ike M. I. Khamisani from the United Nations, Anthony Ditton the chief executive officer for Film Development Group (The Last Samurai (2003) and Larry Bishop (Kill Bill: Vol. 2).

Before the audition, I had performed thousands of Hip Hop concerts since the nineties. I had performed in front of thousands of people on big stages, TV, radio and the internet. There was an opportunity for me that night and I went for it. Romane Simon pulled me aside after and invited me to be a part of the cast.

Review Fix: How did you get into acting?

Battle Ax: A few years back my good friend, Celebrity Sports Therapist, Art San, invited EliteTV News to cover the Miss North Hollywood Beauty Pageant. I was able to meet Amanda Lee Wasvary and Tara Rice from No Ho productions Inc. and soon began working in pageantry doing media work for them. While on the Red Carpet of these amazing pageants I was introduced to Bobbie Chance. E Entertainment labeled that beautiful lady ‘Legendary acting Coach To The Stars.’ The funny thing is that my 17-year-old son wanted to go to her class. I went to Bobbie’s to take him to pursue his Hollywood dream. While there my son Jaycob asked me to stay in the class with him because he was embarrassed. I honestly did it because I saw it as an opportunity to bond with my son. After about a month, Jaycob stopped going to acting class so that he could focus on his senior year at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, CA. So I stayed and still go. Bobbie is not just my acting coach. That woman is like my therapist. She made me step out and brought things out of me that I never knew that I had.

Review Fix: How are you a different actor than performer? Meaning how do you think these different parts make you up?

Battle Ax: I have been performing Hip Hop music since I was a kid on the streets of Long Beach. Performing to me is like stepping into the wind. Our thing has always been to get lost in the music. If we feel the music all our fans feel the music.

Acting is totally different. When it comes to acting we must die to ourselves and allow the role to live. I made the mistake by going to acting school as a Hip Hop artist the first day. Never made that mistake ever again.

Review Fix: What are your goals in acting?

Battle Ax: Movies have always been a huge part of my life since I was young. As parents, my wife, children and I have enjoyed years of movie entertainment while sharing memories together.

I never knew that I could have goals in acting. Now that I have been given an opportunity at acting I would like to feature in every movie out there. The goal is to be on every blockbuster film.

Review Fix: How does the group feel about your acting career?

Battle Ax: The S.O.G. Crew is in agreement with my acting career. While on the set of ‘Life of Gia’ Movie I was able to invite new S.O.G. Crew member Hapizzez from San Diego to feature the movie. The S.O.G. Crew (Thump Records/ Universal Music Group) is a Hip Hop brotherhood. When doors of opportunities open for me, they also open for the Crew.

Review Fix: How do you want your role in this film to be remembered?

Battle Ax: A confident person is how I would like people to remember my role.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Battle Ax: The life of Gia Movie Premiere is coming up. So excited to support Romane Simon and cast.

There are a few movies that I have been asked to feature in the near future. I will be playing a DEA agent and a bad guy in these movies. More info soon on those roles that I will be playing.

Hapizzez and I will be taking EliteTV News to Las Vegas this Thursday to for the Latin Grammy after party events thanks to promoter Andy Herrera. We will be interviewing many of the Grammy winners on EliteTV News and will be doing some photography for www.spalshnews.comwhile at events.

Next weekend on the 21st I will be at Hollywood Sports in Bellflower, CA for a Paint Ball Fundraiser as a special guest for the Victory Outreach International UTC Training Program. The Los Angeles UTC is raising money to help train people to become world evangelists and community leaders.

Driving to Bakersfield, CA after to perform and give Thanksgiving meals to families thanks to Rick Perry and the city of Bakersfield.

Will be doing a few songs at Iglesia Nazarene in Upland, CA on Sunday the 22nd while Esther Escobedo and family feed community an amazing Thanksgiving meal.

Working with the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, NM on December 4th. Excited to visit Native American communities throughout the four corners area of the United States for the holidays.

My wife and I will fly out to Denver on December 12th to do Luminarias event along with members of the Christian band Bueno thanks to Angel Barrientos. Luminarias is a Christmas season event that was designed to offer the Denver Hispanic community an opportunity to bring adult family members, friends, and business associates together at one place and one time for a night of celebration, dancing, and fun before the onset of Christmas holiday activities.

The ‘Where Is Good” movie soundtrack that SOG Crew is featured in will be in Walmart this February and Redbox on May 2016 thanks to director Ricky Burchell. The movie features Ce Ce Peniston, Pettidee, Kelly Bertram and Mrs. Tennessee 2012 Bethany Sharp.

Our new album is coming out great. Legendary mastering engineer Big Bottom Bob Lanzner (Michael Jackson) over at Technovoice Mastering is putting the finishing touches on that baby now. Album was produced by Tito Rodriguez (Snoop Dogg) and Greg Leonti. Our mix engineer Geoff Gibbs (Michael Jackson, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony) has mixed a masterpiece. Thank you, Jesus. Album features myself and original SOG Crew members DJ Siren, Krista Rocha, my sons Jaycob Ornelas and Robbie “Little Battle Ax” Ornelas.

[I’m] excited about our new SOG Crew members that will be featured on the album. Hapizzez from San Diego, Mi Gente Crew from Colorado Springs, Ray Speakmoore from Gardena and Teren Deep from Orange County. New album has a few surprises.

Happy to be working with the new SOG Crew members that I didn’t mention. Dez Lewis a Native American Hip Hop artist from the Pima Nation (Akimel O’otham) and the Gila River Indian Community is very active in the Hip Hop culture. Dez has performed across the country including most Native American Communities. BigSmooth Luis Cruz is a new edition that we are excited about. BigSmooth and I will be on a Christmas Mixtape together in a few weeks thanks to MVP and all our people from Colorado Springs, CO.

Getting ready to work with Miss City of Angels Teen Madison Ortiz. Madison and I are working on a song together in hopes of getting her involved with the Grammy Academy. I love the energy that this young sixteen-year-old has. She stays active in all aspects of pageantry and now would like to pursue her singing career. Be on the lookout for our upcoming single.

Also working with long time friend Auti Angel in the near future. You might remember Auti from the reality television series Push Girls (Sundance TV).