Eddie "Flashin'" Fowlkes, a renowned DJ and electronic music artist, was born in the vibrant city of Detroit in 1962, playing a pivotal role in the emergence of both techno and Detroit techno music. He is often regarded as a "fourth horseman" of the techno dawn, alongside the "Belleville Three" comprising Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May.
Fowlkes' early life was deeply influenced by Detroit's rich cultural landscape of the 1980s. As a child, he developed a profound affinity for soul music, particularly Motown, which would later shape his musical identity. After transitioning to a full-time DJ, Fowlkes earned his nickname "Flashin'" due to his remarkable rapid-fire mixing skills.
Fowlkes' career took off when he began operating at Detroit's iconic Music Institute, where he recorded his debut single, "Goodbye Kiss", in 1986 for Juan Atkins' Metroplex Records. His first full-length album, Serious Techno, Vol. 1, was released in 1991, followed by The Birth of Technosoul in 1993. Three years later, Black Technosoul, which bears his name for his unique style of soul- and house-infused techno, hit the music scene.
