Throwback aka The Jewish King born as Jonathon Michael Tepper stepped into this world on May 30, 1989 in Youngstown, Ohio.
Growing up, Jon had a great passion for all forms of music. He always listened to a wide variety of hits, but fell in love with rap in 1998. From that day on, at the age of only ten, Jon would go on to rap well-known songs to his friends at school, around the house, or into any microphone he could get his hands on.
On October 27, 2001, Jon attended a Halloween party with his family and stumbled upon a Karaoke set-up. Jon instantly picked up the microphone and began rapping some Run DMC and Sir-Mix-A-Lot. The woman behind the table asked his parents, “Isn’t he the wrong color to be doing this? He’s white and actually sounds good.†From that day on, Jon always had aspirations of pursuing a rap career.
Unfortunately for Jon, he was constantly occupied with school and the study for his Bar Mitzvah, so he never got a chance to express his feelings in the form of rhymes.
Jon continued rapping other people’s songs and listening to more and more music throughout the year. In fact, at his music-themed Bar Mitzvah party on June 22, 2002, he performed “What’s Luv†by Fat Joe. Everyone in attendance loved it and Jon couldn’t get enough of the attention.
After his Bar Mitzvah, he continued on with school and still hadn’t even thought about writing his own raps.
By the time Jon entered high school, he had been to several rap concerts and absolutely loved the energy and overall feel of them. He soon realized that he wanted to rap and started writing rhymes about what he knew.
In the Summer of 2004 and 2005, Jon performed some classic Fat Joe and 50 Cent at a Karaoke Bar in Aruba. Again, Jon was an instant crowd pleaser. He knew how to work the crowd and had unbelievable stage presence at such a young age.
The 2005-2006 school year came around extremely quickly for Jon and he knew it was his time to shine. Jon started writing more of his own raps and his skill level began to grow. He kept it simple by recording on computer microphones at a buddy’s house and rapping at his cousin’s Bar Mitzvah Party. Again, Jon was an instant crowd pleaser and kids started talking about him around school. Soon the word spread of Jon to another white rapper (Chris “CeeNiAL†Mullins) at school during his Math class. This was the birth of a new era in Jon’s life. Chris couldn’t believe that Jon could rap because he didn’t quite look the part. To his surprise, Jon could certainly rip a beat. Chris then informed Jon, that he would need a rap name. Jon instantaneously chose “Throwback,†due to his large collection of Throwback jerseys and the fact that everyone called him “Throwback†already.
After recording a few tracks, Jon’s reputation grew along with his fan base. Jon soon went on to rap some of his songs in Aruba at Champions Sports Bar in the Summer of 2006. Jon blew away the other tourists and native Arubian audience. Jon was swarmed by new fans in awe of his ability to rap, so he passed out all of the demos that he had in his possession.
The 2006-2007 school year was just around the corner and Jon had no new material. In his venture for a college and pursuit of a successful school year, Jon only occasionally wrote and recorded raps. He soon realized that he was in demand as the new year (2007) rolled in, so he had to get back in the game. He started writing new rhymes, buying original beats, and working hard to show his versatility all while balancing school, work, social life, and the daily hustle.
On March 23, 2007, Jon was able to show Boardman High School what he was capable of on the microphone in the school’s Third Annual Talent Show. He teamed up with Chris “CeeNiAL†Mullins and Aaron “Yung E†Drummond to put on an unforgettable performance. Although, the sound crew had burdened their performance with technical difficulties, they were still praised throughout the school.
After Jon graduated from high school, he continued to work on new tracks and began doing shows around town as well as at special events, exclusive parties, and of course, Bar Mitzvah’s.
With Jon’s fan base once again growing, he had decided to begin work on his first album titled "Ballin’ Since Birth." The album was released locally in December of 2007. Word of the album started spreading to New York City. Jon was soon contacted by President and CEO of Affluent Records to sign a record deal for the album. A revised "Ballin’ Since Birth" will be released digitally this Spring and in stores everywhere this Summer on Affluent Records.
Jon Tepper classifies himself as a boss rapper. He knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it. He is known for living a luxurious or "royal life," which has respectively earned him title of The Jewish King
Tepper may be all about his money, but he always says, “I’m not about beefin’ or battlin,’ I’m all about making good music. That’s what I do this for, to make good music that people can vibe to.â€
Jon Tepper aka Throwback aka The Jewish King continues to turn heads and break barriers as an up and coming white, Jewish rapper from the YO.
"Switchin’ Lanes" Live at The Cellar
"Put A Grand Up" Live at Barley’s
"All About My Cake" feat. ENice
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