If you’ve ever listened to Drake, 21 Savage, Latto, LaCrae, and recent Grammy-winner Killer Mike, then you likely heard music produced by Luke Crowder, a Birmingham native and music community leader.

On Sunday, Crowder took to Instagram to celebrate Killer Mike’s “Michael,” which won the award for Best Rap Album. The producer said, “All God. 1st of many to come. Thank you.”

Crowder and the album’s other many contributors received a Grammy winner’s certificate, while Killer Mike took home the actual trophy, one of three he won that night. Killer Mike also won for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for the song “Scientists & Engineers.”

Crowder was a composer on the “Michael” track “Something for Junkies,” a track also featuring Fabo. Crowder is one of many collaborators on the song, which also included No I.D., Lefabian Williams and many others.

Originally from Birmingham, Crowder grew up in the Huffman area but graduated from Ramsey High School in 2006. He started his music career working with Birmingham Jay and produced one of his popular songs “Move Back”.

Throughout the years, he stayed in Birmingham and worked with a lot of local artists. In 2018, he worked with other producers who taught him how to create melodies that helped him collaborate with artists outside the city.

“One thing led to another,” Crowder said. “I got a few placements with some key people, and worked my way up to working with Big Krit, Masego, and 2Chainz. Did Latto’s track ‘Sunshine’ featuring Childish Gambino and Lil’ Wayne. Got to the point where I was able to work with Drake and 21 Savage on ‘Her Loss’ album.”

Crowder said despite his successes, he prefers to stay in Birmingham, and help the music creative community to grow.

“If you’re only looking for self, you can go out to L.A. or New York,” he said. “I always wanted to bring back sounds and I believed you had to go to LA or New York and all those other places that are key for music. But if you do the work, why can’t you bring it back home and build the artists and build the synergy in your community. Because there are other people who want the same chances and opportunity, but they can’t because no one comes back home.

“I wanted to be the beacon of light of where I can go out to L.A. for a little while and work on some albums and tracks, and then come back home and bring people up with me. I want to gate opener instead of a gatekeeper. I really want to build a budding music scene in Birmingham.”

Crowder recently opened up a creative studio space, RJV Studios, that’s accessible for musical artists, podcasters, and more. He also hosts a monthly showcase called Vibe Tribe for artists, fashion designers, and other creative vendors.

Crowder emphasized that there is plenty of local talent to work with that just need the proper resources to help guide them. “If you’re good enough in Birmingham,” he said, “you can be good enough somewhere else as well.”