Bradley Westbrook, a 2017 Virden Collegiate graduate, is developing his recent passion as an entertainer with a USA tour and an upcoming Manitoba performance.
Under his stage name Brad Tapper, he’ll be performing his first headline show on Sept. 23 in Brandon at Houstons Country Road House.
While Tapper’s foray into rap is newish, his love for music is not.
“I grew up around music and have always been exposed to it but never took a turn into it until about two years ago,” he says. “This year, my life has truly changed and I’ve got the opportunity to work with massive artists and making music in Los Angeles, California.”
Tapper writes all his own material, but his break into the rap music scene came when he worked with another rapper to become part of an opening act.
“It was nerve racking and made me step out of my comfort zone, but made me grow as an artist. I got my first gig when I made a song with Henry AZ from LA. We became good friends and he invited me on his American tour with Madchild, to open.”
During his recent tour in the US, Tapper was playing venues in Los Angeles including the legendary Viper Room (Sunset Strip in Hollywood), and in Santa Ana and San Diego.
He says the rap scene is important to him on several levels.
“What inspires me to keep going and making music is the opportunity to take care of my entire family.”
He also says, “Seeing other people truly be inspired and moved by my music is huge.” It’s an indication to him that he has something special to offer.
Tapper hopes to take his performance to the next level and to work with big names in the genre. “I truly want to sellout arenas someday.”
He says his oilfield job where he’s worked for five years is helping him launch into the music industry. “I’m working hard to sponsor my own music, independently. It’s a hard road but that just adds to the grit of my story.”
Brad Tapper has over 38,000 monthly Spotify listeners and over 100,000 streamers which includes an audience from around the globe such as Saudi Arabia, Europe and the Philippines.
