It all began when Dean Tepper became a singer-songwriter producing himself under the name “Bruise Like Kiwi”. Eventually he decided though that his voice didn’t really make the cut and began writing and producing for other people. He does this thing where he chops up voices, warps them like crazy, and the plays them as instruments. It's pretty epic. Oh wait, it actually all started when Tepper was in the seventh grade and his dad gave him this vintage guitar from the 70's. Oh, and he grew up in New Jersey, which he says is not as dirty as you think. 

 

Anyway, it's not really about all that. It's more about how Tepper found community and people who believed in him. Post Bruise Like Kiwi, his first 'real project' was with a rapper from Queens named 'AkA', also known as 'Another Kinda Artist.'  AkA had a partner in crime simply named Reggie and together they lit things on fire. Not really, but like metaphorically. An ongoing collaboration, the trio are currently in the process of finishing up AkA's new mixtape 'Fool’s Paradice.' It's going to be pretty wild.

 

Even from a young age, Tepper never had an interest in learning to cover other people's songs. It was always about creating something new. "Too many people are too caught up in sounding like what’s hot right now," says Tepper. "The people that are truly blessed are the people that produce whatever pours out of them." And no, this doesn't mean Tepper avoids the radio or anything. In fact, he's unapologetic about his crush on Ashlee Simpson, citing that 'Pieces of Me' is shadily one of his favorite songs ever. So, do with that what you will. 

 

Other notes of concern: Tepper's laptop is his baby, and he won't let you touch it, so don't try. Unless maybe you're incredibly beautiful, but probably not even then. Also if you have a pet lizard he most likely won't work with you. Seriously, he is very anti- pet lizards. "They are no one's best friends except for their own."