Kyper: Biography

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Birth Name:

Randall S. Kyper

Genre:

Rap & Hip-Hop Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

Kyper was born Randall S. Kiper in Baton Rouge, LA, in the early '70s. His self-written "Tic-Tac-Toe" amazingly became a hit in 1990. Equally as astounding, the pop smash did nothing on the RB charts. The song was a pop-disco-rap mix dominated by electronic drums and was popular in clubs. Though Kyper wrote all his songs, he borrowed heavily from Midnight Star, and "Tic Tac Toe" ripped off the guitar riff from Yes' "Owner of a Lonely Heart." After his on-hit wonder, he remained active in the music business but never charted again.

Kyper's parents say he starting hamming at an early age, singing and dancing for family and friends in Baton Rouge. By his pre-teenage years, his dance act was opening shows for funk and hip-hop acts -- including Zapp, World Class Wreckin' Cru, L.A. Dream Team, Irma Thomas -- and he began DJing and producing as well with a local group named Reality. His parents were educators and demanded that he graduate from college with distinction. He postponed college, though, when one of his demos got him signed to Atlantic, who gave him a shot at stardom. In September 1990, his single "Tic-Tac-Toe" went to number 14 pop, and sparked a pair of albums, 1990's Tic-Tac-Toe and 1992's Countdown to the Year 2000. After he was dropped by Atlantic, several collections of past mixes and remixes appeared on the Tip Top label.

- Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide