Michael of R.E.M.

STIPE

This lead singer’s last name sounds like a small step or a tiny strip of paper.

This clue refers to Michael Stipe, the lead singer of the iconic alternative rock band R.E.M. The answer is simply his last name, "STIPE," which is a straightforward reference without any wordplay. If you're familiar with the band, you'd recognize him as the frontman behind hits like "Losing My Religion." For crossword solvers, it’s a direct name-drop where the clue gives both the first name and band for confirmation.