Tash

TASH can have several meanings:

Tash (rapper)

Rico Smith, better known by his stage name Tash, is an American rapper. He is most known for his work as a member of West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks alongside J-Ro and E-Swift. He has released two solo albums, Rap Life (1999) and Control Freek (2009), and has worked on five albums with Tha Alkaholiks. Tash recently announced signing with the hip hop record label Amalgam Digital to release his independent debut entitled Control Freek.

History

Early Life/Early Career

Tash was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1971, but moved to California at age 16 with his four brothers and mother. His parents divorced the next year, but Tash decided to stay in California and become a rapper. In California, he co-founded Tha Alkaholiks—originally known as ESP, later known as Tha Liks—with fellow Ohio native, DJ E-Swift and a Californian emcee named J-Ro. Tash had previously worked in a group named Disturbers of the Peace with E-Swift and even lived with him, while they each performed music locally. J-Ro had worked with Californian hip hop artists such as Suavee D and King Tee, but never with Tash or E-Swift. Tash's connection with J-Ro allowed Tha Alkaholiks to appear on King Tee's 1993 album, Tha Triflin' Album. Soon after their appearance, Tha Alkaholiks started touring with famed hip hop artists such as Ice Cube, and even inked a record deal with Loud/RCA. After appearing on more songs with Tha Alkaholiks in collaboration with other artists, his party-themed rhymes created much anticipation for his group's debut album, 21 & Over.

Tash (singer)

Tash (born Sertac Nidai) is a British-Turkish Cypriot singer whose music is an "East-meets-West" fusion of R&B and Middle Eastern influences. He is the first artist signed to the Sony Music Middle East on a full record deal. Tash released his debut album, "In The Deep", in 2012 with his lead single "Habibi Leh"; the album heavily trades on Tash's Turkish Cypriot roots.

Biography

Tash was born Sertac Nidai (Turkish: Sertaç Nidai) in London, the United Kingdom, to Turkish Cypriot parents. His parents introduced him to different kinds of music at a very young age when they would bring home CDs from their travels. One of his earliest memories, at age five, is around owning a mini snooker table where instead of playing, he would grab the sticks and make rhythmic beats on the cushions. Tash has described himself as "quite academic, I wouldn’t say I was that sporty though. I’d usually be in the music block, especially during subjects I didn’t like!". He bagan playing the piano at primary school, which is now one of his main instruments, as well as the darbuka. In 2011, during a London video shoot, Tash was introduced to a Sony Music official, he became the first artist signed to the Sony Music Middle East on a full record deal. His debut album, "In The Deep", was released on 12 February 2012.