Lowkey Lu

Lowkey Lu began making music as a teenager in Waterford in 2011, experimenting with homemade recording setups and writing his first rap songs. Early recordings were made using whatever equipment was available, including an old stereo, a borrowed PlayStation microphone and cassette tapes. These early experiments developed into a more serious interest in recording and production, eventually leading him to study sound engineering and pursue music more seriously.

Drawing on his experiences growing up in Waterford, Lu began performing at open mic nights while studying Sound Engineering at Waterford College of Further Education. He later moved to Limerick to study Music Production and Technology at TUS, where he became involved in the city's growing music community. During this period, he developed his skills as a rapper, producer and live performer, releasing music videos, performing regularly and building a catalogue of independent releases.

Lu released his first two albums during his time in education, receiving local press coverage and radio airplay while continuing to develop his sound. His music was released both independently and through Equal Eyes Records in the United States, alongside collaborations with artists and producers in Ireland and abroad.

During lockdown, Lu adapted his approach to music and promotion as live performance became temporarily unavailable. He explored online merchandise and digital marketing while continuing to write and record. During this period, Lu entered an unusually prolific phase, recording and releasing three albums in a single year alongside a steady run of singles, including “Never Will I Change”, which received national radio airplay in 2022.

With the return of live music to Ireland in 2022, Lu completed his final year of study and entered a particularly active period of live performance. Over the following two years, he performed regularly across the south of Ireland, including appearances alongside emerging artists such as JustJoey from Galway and PNJ from Killarney, while continuing to write, record and develop his own music. During this period, he also began exploring the business side of music more seriously, building on his experiences organising releases, performing and attempting to establish Tuath Dé as an independent label.

Lu later completed a Master's degree in Business Management at University of Limerick, developing a stronger understanding of strategy, marketing and entrepreneurship alongside his existing experience as an independent musician and producer. His academic work has included research into music marketing and artist development, complementing his practical experience in building an audience and developing an artistic identity. Following a period away from releasing music, Lu is now gradually returning to regular releases, with upcoming projects including the mixtape The Vault Is Open and the Liminal EP. Alongside his solo work, he continues to produce and collaborate with US-based artists including 13adluck, Breez and BxYungGz.