Big Dipper (rapper)

Dan Stermer is an American rapper and podcaster known professionally as Big Dipper.

Early life and education

Stermer was raised in Evanston, Illinois. His mother is Jewish and his father is Christian. Stermer was raised in a Jewish household and attended Sunday school at a Reform synagogue. He first began performing at the age of 8 in a children's theater production of The Wizard of Oz. Stermer tried several instruments including, cello, piano, trumpet, tuba, and drums before deciding he enjoyed plays more. He began listening to hip hop and rap at the age of 9. He had a bar mitzvah in the eight grade and was confirmed in 10th grade after taking more Jewish studies classes.[1]

Stermer graduated from Ithaca College in 2007 where he studied theater.[2]

Career

Big Dipper wrote his first song at the age of 25.[1] He began using the name Big Dipper at the age of 26.[3] As of 2018, he is based in Los Angeles.[1] He has performed at bear festivals, P-town, and San Francisco Bear Pride.[4] In 2019, he was a headliner at Capital Pride.[3] He stated one reason he performed was to combat hatred and help people feel empowered.[5]

Big Dipper cohosted the podcast Unbearable with Meatball a bear drag queen.[1] After a hiatus, they returned in June 2019 with a new podcast, Sloppy Seconds, on the Forever Dog network. On August 24, 2018, Big Dipper released his debut album Late Bloomer.[6]

Artistry

Big Dipper's work is often explicit and involves themes of sex and humor.[1] He has been compared to fellow gay rapper Cazwell.[7]

Personal life

Big Dipper is gay and identifies as a member of the bear community.[1]

Discography

Albums
  • Late Bloomer (2018)[6]

Singles[1]
  • "Drip Drop" (2011)[8]
  • "Summertime Realness"
  • "LaCroix Boi"
  • "Skank"
  • "Dick in a Box"
  • "Meat Quotient"
  • "Cut Up"
  • "Pressed"
  • "That Nut"
  • "Lookin"
  • "Let's Talk about PrEP"[9]

References
  1. Hoffman, Wayne (2018-06-15). "From Hebrew School to Hip Hop, Rapper Big Dipper Has Always Been a 'Late Bloomer'". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  2. Zarley, B. David (2013-01-21). "Nicki Minaj Plus a Gay Bear Equals Chicago's The Big Dipper". Vice. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  3. Loria, Keith (2019-06-08). "Raunchy queer rapper Big Dipper readies Pride headlining set". Washington Blade. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  4. Musto, Michael (2014-03-10). "Bear Rapper Big Dipper: I Won't Sleep With My Fans". Out. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  5. Hereford, André (2019-06-06). "Big Dipper keeps it real on record, and live onstage for Capital Pride". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  6. Gray, Robin (2018-08-24). "Big Dipper Drops Debut LP 'Late Bloomer' - Exclusive Q&A". Bear World Magazine. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  7. "Queer hip-hop: breaking down barriers". The Chronicle. May 2, 2016. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  8. Galil, Leor (February 5, 2015). "Empire's 'Drip Drop' doesn't hold a candle to rapper Big Dipper's version". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  9. King, Stevie (August 14, 2018). "Big Dipper on Self Love, Bear Culture, and His New LP 'LATE BLOOMER'". WUSSY MAG. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
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