Background
Tash was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1971, but moved to California at age 16 with his four brothers and mother.
Tash was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1971, but moved to California at age 16 with his four brothers and mother.
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. Early Life/Early In California, he co-founded Tha Alkaholiks—originally known as Education Support Professionals, later known as Tha Liks—with fellow Ohio native, DJ East-Swift and a Californian emcee named J-Ro.
Tash had previously worked in a group named Disturbers of the Peace with East-Swift and even lived with him, while they each performed music locally.
J-Ro had worked with Californian hip hop artists such as Suavee Doctorate and King Tee, but never with Tash or East-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/Radio Corporation of America. 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. Tha Alkaholiks work The first album by Tha Alkaholiks, 1993"s 21 & Over, lead critics to applaud Tash"s "punch lines and comic timing," "killer delivery of topnotch MCs" and "more than enough talent and energy to back up endlessly clever boasting." The album as a whole was a great critical success, but was not too commercially successful.
lieutenant did have three charting singles though and likely gained Tash and his group a "sizeable cult following." 1995 saw the release of Coast II Coast which was also a critical success, but had slightly more commercial success than its predecessor.
lieutenant spawned two minor hit singles in "DAAAM!" and "The Next Level." Tha Alkaholiks changed their name to Tha Liks for their 1997 album, Likwidation. lieutenant was met with a decent critical reception and about the same commercial reception as Coast II Coast. lieutenant did boast a Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Hip Hop Drunkies" featuring Ol" Dirty Bastard, which is their most successful recording of all time.
Tash and his group went on to release X.O. Experience in 2001 and Firewater in 2006 before disbanding as a group.
He is most known for his work as a member of West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks alongside J-Ro and East-Swift. The large amount of time in between releases allowed for each member of Tha Liks to work on solo projects.