Howard Lakins-Graves

Howard Lakins-Graves, also known as “Maestro,” is a self-taught producer originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now based in Tennessee. Best known for his contemporary R&B productions, and jazz-matic sound, Howard blends melodic storytelling with modern grooves—while drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences beyond just one genre. Starting out on the keys at age five, Howard’s passion for music evolved into full-scale composing, arranging, and producing. He earned his Associate of Fine Arts in Music and began crafting his skill set releasing his debut co-release album More Than a Lover. He has continued developing his sonic identity through follow-up albums Continuity and Continuity (Deluxe). His collaborations with longtime creative brothers Brian McKnight Jr. and Derran Day (son of legendary artist Morris Day) further cement his presence in today’s indie music. Howard's versatility goes beyond R&B. On his YouTube channel (OfficialHowardLG), his music remixes span multiple genres—including funk, pop, house, soul, smooth jazz, gospel, and nostalgic gaming soundtracks. He’s received recognition from artists across genres such as Bob Baldwin, David Harness, Tee Lopes, Timbaland, Chris Howland, and more. As a natural introvert, Howard lets his music speak for him—mastering various instruments and handling all aspects of music production. Driven by passion, purpose, and a commitment to authentic sound, he continues to carve out his own lane in music.