Erik Vincent Stephens (born June 20, 1980), better known professionally as Apollo Brown, is an American record producer from Detroit, Michigan, United States.[1] He is a member of the hip hop group Ugly Heroes (alongside Red Pill and Verbal Kent)[2] and has released numerous collaborations with the likes of Guilty Simpson, O.C., Ras Kass, Skyzoo[3] and Planet Asia.

Apollo Brown
Brown at the Patronaat in Haarlem, Netherlands on September 10, 2014
Background information
Birth nameErik Vincent Stephens
Born (1980-06-20) June 20, 1980 (age 44)
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)Drum machine, keyboards, sampler, turntable
Years active2007–present
LabelsMello Music

Early life

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Brown grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He later moved to Detroit in 2003, after graduating from Michigan State University.

Musical career

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Brown's career in music stretches back to the mid-1990s, but it wasn't until 2007's Skilled Trade beat collection that things started to become serious. November 3, 2009 saw Brown win the Red Bull Big Tune Championship[4] and he was subsequently contacted by Mello Music Group's Michael Tolle to become a part of MMG independent hip hop movement.

In any collaborations, Brown insists on making albums in the same room as the other artists.[5]

Style and influences

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Brown is noted for his use of dated technology – a DJBooth interview reveals his preferred setup is a desktop PC running Windows XP and Cool Edit 2000.[6]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ Stinchcomb, Dericka (August 28, 2017). "RESPECT. Interview: Apollo Brown on 'Anchovies'". Respect-mag.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b Paine, Jake (April 15, 2013). "Ugly Heroes (Apollo Brown, Verbal Kent & Red Pill)". Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  3. ^ Elibert, Mark (February 9, 2018). "Skyzoo Breaks Down His Five Favorite Tracks From His New Album 'In Celebration of Us'". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  4. ^ "DJ Finyl vs Apollo Brown @ Red Bull Big Tune 2009 Finals 11/3/09". YouTube. 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  5. ^ "Apollo Brown Biography". Mello Music Group. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  6. ^ ""Music Nowadays is Sounds & Words With No Emotional Value": An Interview with Apollo Brown". DJBooth. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  7. ^ "Underground Report: 7L & Esoteric And The Left". Hiphopdx.com. November 25, 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  8. ^ Bromwich, Jonah (January 29, 2018). "Ghostface Killah/Apollo Brown The Brown Tape". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  9. ^ Penrose, Nerisha (May 23, 2018). "Locksmith & Apollo Brown Return With New Song 'Litmus': Listen". Billboard.com. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Joell Ortiz Announces New "Mona Lisa" Album With Apollo Brown". Hotnewhiphop.com. August 22, 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Apollo Brown on Instagram: "...NEW ALBUM coming 10/29... "Sincerely, Detroit" featuring 56 of your favorite Detroit Artists. Executive Produced by my brother…"". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  12. ^ "This Must Be The Place". Apollobrown360.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Cost of Living". Apollobrown360.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
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