Today we’d like to introduce you to King Taper.
Hi King, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in St. Louis and raised by a single mother and her parents. Growing up, I played sports and video games like most kids. One day a baseball teammate and high school friend Big Higg (who had heard me sing previously) convinced me to sing “If I Ever Fall In Love” by Shai, front of my entire High School . I think that’s when something changed for me. I didn’t know it, but I’m pretty sure that’s when I fell in love with music. In hindsight, I think I was afraid deep down to pursue a music career, coming from St. Louis. Becoming an artist as big as Nelly, J Kwon or Chingy at the time just seemed far-fetched. My lack of belief led me to the streets where I learned my first lessons in business; My Hustle. But after taking many financial losses and losing friends to violence I was blessed to randomly bump into my man Joethebarber at the Frostwood gas station. He told me that being a barber would give me the same freedom as the streets and for some reason I believe him. That conversation was constantly ringing in my ear, but for whatever reason I never listened until I actually caught a case.
I decided it was time to get out of the drug world and head into barbering. I opened my first shop while in barber college (180 degrees Barber & Beauty Salon) and operated for 3+ years until the opportunity arose to sell my property. Simultaneously, while selling my shop I was offered the opportunity to go on tour with New Edition. My team and I served as merchandise and photography reps for their Road to the 30th Anniversary tour, traveling the country in a big white van. After the tour, I went back to St. Louis, where not long after. I connected with a local Entertainment Tonight type show called Sexy N STL. I decided from those experiences that I wanted to be in entertainment in some facet, so I blindly moved to LA and after arriving, I quickly picked up barbering again in Hollywood at 360 Atelier on Melrose. After 360 closed down, I was referred to inquire about a position as the 1st ever barber to work at the Michael John Salon inside Equinox Sports Club LA. After a few years Michael John also closed down leaving me to either find a new shop or follow my dreams in entertainment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve definitely had my ups and downs but I’m not complaining. I believe that what’s happens is meant to teach us and assist in our growth. I’ve went broke, lost friends, been laughed at by celebrities I once admired, had shops I worked at suddenly close without warning (as states previously), got roofied at a Hollywood nightclub (not a West Hollywood club either, lol and I’m sure there’s more I can’t remember right now. It’s been wild and I still never gave up, Never will. All of those challenges gave me opportunities to become a better me holistically. So overall, I can confidently say I’m thankful for it all.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Well, I am King Taper, a St. Louis born multi-dimensional artist with a wide array of God-given gifts both in the barbering and musical spectrum. As of 2018, I officially retired from barbering to focus on my musical career and elevate my organization; Minority Empowerment Association after being a Celebrity Barber for over ten years. Along my barbering journey, I’ve purchased, renovated and sold real estate in my hometown, created a hair products company and of course, my owned barbershop in St. Louis. Almost as soon as I got to LA, I was blessed to work at Equinox Sports Club LA as the 1st and only ever barber, which gave me the opportunities to interact with, and service celebrities like MAGIC JOHNSON, MEL GIBSON, METTA WORLD PEACE and NELLY. At a certain point in my barbering career, I started to question myself, my clients, and my passion for barbering. I saw a guy retire from barbering at 74 years-old with nothing, no insurance, no 401k, nothing.
That day I made a vow to myself that I would do everything I could to empower myself and my fellow grooming professionals by organizing “The Barber & Beauty Alliance of America”; a union for licensed Barber and Beauty Professionals with the goal of assisting with financial sustainability, also penning my first novel “Ten Cut Commandments”; a financial novel full of most of what I learned so far, and all balled into an entertaining story. Then, the 2020 pandemic happened; business halted, my 15 year old pug “Shadow”, and my childhood best friend Wayne both died and during the COVID-19 scare. All that lead me to reengage my passion for music as a form of therapy alongside my yoga practice. Musically, in 2020 I dropped a few new singles that are getting Atlanta radio spins and crazy Spotify buzz; Yoga inspired “Mis Chakras”, Nipsey Hussle inspired “The Ghost and Dr. Sebi/Dr. Dre inspired Kings Dont Die”. In 2021, my label The Taper Project, LLC has some big plans and a major goal of becoming the number 1 independent artist group in the world.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I think that finding mentors is great! I think the toughest part is finding people who won’t be intimidated by your success, or personality. I honestly think mentorship and networking is a bit overrated, useful but overrated. We live in LA where everyone is in a competition (some secret or some known) of some sort. I think it’s best to put your head down and do the work. What worked for me is when I stopped asking everyone else advice and started asking and answering my own questions. I’ve learned plenty from just being around and listening, I’d say become useful, listen and make the most out of every opportunity. But hey, different strokes, for different folks!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.thetaperproject.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamkingtaper
- Minority Empowerment Association Inc. : www.bbaaunion.org
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.
com/us/artist/king-taper/ 1204175077 - Tidal: https://tidal.
com/browse/artist/8499497 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk8I3amr2ffNqaOcXrg659g
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LPDgUtTB9yy0iRcYqo3NI#:~:text=King%20Taper%20is%20a%20St,an%20elegant%20flow%20of%20confidence., https://g.co/kgs/mBdXWP
Image Credits
King Taper withMel Gibson King Taper withDr. Dre King Taper with F. Gary Gray King Taper at Patchwerk Studios Atlanta King Taper at BET Awards King Taper’s novel Ten Cut Commandments
