Meet Roger Rowe | Music Producer/Event Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roger Rowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roger, what makes you happy? Why?
The opportunity to wake up everyday and create! To see what new discoveries I’ll stumble across just letting the vibe do it’s work is the greatest feeling!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m KingPin Da’ Composer, musician/producer/event planner. My musical journey started at five years old as a drummer for my grandmother’s church. During that time, my time as a drummer continued on through middle and high school participating in marching band, to my adult years playing for various musical group throughout the city. I say around 2008, my passion for music production grew and I started taking music production serious. From 2008 to 2010, I put in endless hours to enhance my skills in music production. In 2010, I started producing music on a more professional level and began working with a lot of indie talent here in Memphis. Around 2017, I started a beat battle league (#LetsGetLOUD) where a numerous amount of producers have displayed their production skills and networked with other producers and artists. That same year I formed a production team (Steaksawse Produtions) comprised of Sunny Dizzle and LJ1S.

I feel achieving a goal is never an easy feat. With reaching goals comes a resistance period designed to make you stronger, and I relate wholeheartedly. The music business is like any other business; you have your highs and your lows. However, being an indie producer, those lows can really hit you, especially if you’re still a part of the corporate world like myself. (artists missing deadlines, creative blocks, other creatives wanting “handouts”, etc.) Those can really put a strain on you mentally and creatively. With that in mind, I also welcome it because it’s a part of the process. True enough going through those hardships can put a weight on you, but it only makes you stronger.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmmmm….I’m such a homebody/studio rat I don’t know where to being. I will say I enjoy good food and live entertainment so I have a few spots in mind we could possibly check out. Beginning of the week, we’d start off on an artistic foot. I’m an art lover so we’d definitely take a trip Orijennal Art and check out some nice pieces from established and up and coming artist here in the city. Monday nights In Love Memphis is the place to be to catch some good live entertainment. Mid week…..FOOD!!! It’s only right we take a trip to both Cozy Corner and Payne’s BBQ (In my opinion the best bbq spots in Memphis) to get a taste of what the city is known for. Weekends is only fitting for bar-hopping and more live entertainment. Blind Bear is one of my favorite bars here in the city. It’s got a 20’s speakeasy vibe and I personally think that’s awesome. Art Bar at Crosstown Arts is another one of my favorite bars I frequent as well. Very chill, laid back atmosphere which matches my personality. Some of the best cocktails in the city. Growler’s, Hi Tone, Railgarten, Black Lodge, The Hip Hop Lounge, and Lafayette’s Music Room are a few spots I frequent for live entertainment on weekends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely my wife, Erica Dunlap! Her photography business as well as her art business have made huge strides in the recent year.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingpin_da_composer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingpindacomposer/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRpm8h6fH9VHrSnkx-uuAOA

Image Credits
Erica Dunlap Photography