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One Local Teen Pushes Against Bullying Through Music
One Waterford teen is singlehandedly taking a step towards the battle against bullying.
Anna Shedlowsky aka Lil Pepper, a seventh grader at Pierce Middle School in Waterford, released her first single titled “Why Me” featuring Kaotic The Castaway everywhere online January 31.
While this is the teen’s first musical single, it is definitely not her first introduction to music. Shedlowsky began singing at elementary school talent shows when she was young and had been singing and playing her ukulele at open mic nights at local Biggby Coffee shops. The singer also has music in her family. Her grandfather has been a member of a rock n’ roll band called The Skee Brothers since the 1950s.
Shedlowsky began singing jazz tempo songs from artists like Adele, but switched up the tempo when she learned to play the ukulele.
“My ukulele helps me while singing because it gives me a beat to sing along with,” Shedlowsky said. “At one of the open mic nights another performer, Chris Brody, was playing a ukulele and I thought it was great and I wanted to learn. My parents got me a cheap one and I learned a few songs in my first week.”
The singer also met her current voice, who she says helps her with voice tips like proper breathing, and recording mate Kaotic The Castaway at local Biggby Coffee shops.
After hearing her sing, recording mate Kaotic referred Shedlowsky to D-Tox Entertainment where she began rapping.
“Rap shows your emotion in a way that is fun to do,” she said. “I love blending my singing and rapping together.”
So why did she choose to take on bullying?
“I see bullying at my school and it can be rough. I have worked as a peer mediator and that has helped me understand what is going on. Like lots of kids, I have been bullied, but I feel that I can handle it better now. I think our songs help me and maybe they can help others too,” Shedlowsky said.
So how does the singer handle music, school, friends and sports?
“I don’t have a lot of free time, but I like to be busy. I have to thank my parents for letting me do what I love,” Shedlowsky said. “I love what I’m doing and I hope to keep doing it for a long time.”
Shedlowsky released two more songs on February 8 and is in the process of recording more songs to be released at a later date.
To hear released singles, visit www.jango.com/music/lilpepper
7 Responses to One Local Teen Pushes Against Bullying Through Music
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Rob
February 13, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Great Article! It’s good to see positive young people in our area. Love your music.
Keep up the good work.
Lindy
February 13, 2013 at 11:04 pm
I’m glad that kids are starting to find ways to support each other. Every small step in the anti-bullying campaign is important!
Biggby Coffee Waterford
February 14, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Biggby Waterford Loves you LilPepper!!!
Lil Pepper
February 15, 2013 at 10:36 am
I couldn’t have done it without the support from everyone during open mics! The special atmosphere definitely helped me grow as an artist. Plus I found Chrissy Griffon my voice instructed at Biggby Waterford!
parkside
February 15, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Parkside Preserve is proud of you!!
Lil Pepper
February 18, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Thanks, couldn’t ask for a better neighborhood to grow up in!
Kaotic The Castaway
March 4, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Im glad to have Lil Pepper as a labelmate. Her professionalism along with her work ethic, talent, and skill really carries her to another level. Im really proud of the song Leave Them Alone especially, because this is a topic that is affecting every community. Join us at Houghton Elementary on May 3rd for the Stand4Change annual event where we will be performing Leave Them Alone live.