Epikh Pro

 

Two-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum-selling producer Stuart “Epikh (epic) Pro” Lowery was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and grew up surrounded by music. From the small drum set he played as a child, to playing on a Fender Rhodes as an adolescent, his family made sure that music became the foundation of everyday life. Over time, with the help of mentors, he learned to play the piano by ear and began developing his talents as a songwriter and producer.

His production credits include Bryson Tiller, Lil Yachty, Skylar Grey, Eminem, Pardison Fontaine, A-Trak, ZZ Ward, CyHi The Prynce, Tamar Braxton, Royce Da 5’9, Cardi B, Lil Durk, YBN Cordae, YBN Almighty J, and Quavo to name a few.

He got his big breakthrough in 2015 when he produced the 4 x Platinum record “Don’t” for RCA artist Bryson Tiller.

Epikh Pro’s production has been nominated for Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards. He is currently in the studio recording music for the TV show “Empire” on Fox, Ballers on HBO, and FX’s hit show “Atlanta, including a variety of artists such as Eminem, Big Sean, Bryson Tiller, HER, Tone Stith, Fetty Wap, Camila Cabello, J Cole, and YBN Cordae.

Tell us about yourself and how you got into music.

My name is Epikh Pro, and I am originally from Chicago IL. I got into music as a young child watching my older god-brother play a Fender Rhodes and a Pearl Drum set and listening to my mother sing in Chicago area gospel groups and later as an R&B singer. As a young child being around so many instruments they were the best toys ever. My love of making music grew and eventually I learned to play the piano and the drums a little bit too.

When did you get your opportunity to make music into a career?

In 2012 I won a beat battle called iStandard Producer Showcase in Chicago. There I met for the first time S1 Symbolyc One (Kanye West’s “Power”, Beyonce’s “Best Thing I Never Had”, Eminem’s “Bad Guy”, Jay-Z’s “Murder to Excellence” and the list goes on). After a couple of years of proving myself in other beat battles and staying connected to S1, I joined his production team Soul Kontrollerz Production (SKP). Since then I’ve had the opportunity to make music for a lot of incredible artists both major and indie. We’re just getting started but these next few years should be exciting.

Which producers inspired you when you started.

Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones were the first major musicians that influenced me. I used to listen to their records over and over again. As far as producers, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Timbaland were the two major influences on me. When I first started using FL Studio, it was their production that really inspired me to keep learning the DAW.

How did you start using FL Studio & what does it mean to your productions?

In college one of my friends was trying to be a rapper. He heard some of the beats I made using an old Casio keyboard. He told me about this software he was using that was really easy to learn called FL Studio. I went to the student computer lab, downloaded the demo and didn’t sleep for 3 or 4 days. When I purchased the full version and I could finally save, ahh life was great! I haven’t been able to live without FL. Each version continues to get better than the last. I use other software but FL Studio is the main DAW I run everything out of. Wouldn’t be where I am without it.

Tell us about your production environment & toys.

Like I said FL Studio is the core, but I use Maschine (which I won at iStandard Showcase) inside of FL Studio so I can alternate using it as a MIDI controller and as a plugin. I got a whole bunch of sounds and VSTs. I got a super old Premier 76 midi keyboard from the 80s (or 70s I think), but the keys feel like a Fender. I have an Axiom 25, Focusrite Scarlett and PMC Monitors that I also won at iStandards Showcase.

Do you have any links you would like to share?

instagram.com/epikhpro/

twitter.com/epikhpro

facebook.com/epikhpro