Tash (rapper)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tash
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Rico Smith
Alias = CaTashTraphe
Born = 1971
Died =
Origin = Columbus, Ohio
Instrument = Rapping
Genre = Hip hop
Occupation = Rapper
Years_active = 1993-present
Label = Amalgam Digital
Associated_acts = Tha Alkaholiks, Likwit Crew
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =

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 only released one solo album, "Rap Life", but 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 Toledo, 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". It is important to note that in 1993, he also appeared on the track, "Check It Out (Oh Ph*ck Me Right?)," by mad Kap without his group.

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." [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:9u98b5n4bsq4 allmusic ((( 21 & Over > Overview ))) ] ] The album as a whole was a great critical success, but was not too commercially successful. It did have three charting singles though and likely gained Tash and his group a "sizeable cult following." [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:1gae4j372waq allmusic ((( Coast II Coast > Overview ))) ] ] 1995 saw the release of "Coast II Coast" which was also a critical success, but had slightly more commercial success than its predecessor. It spawned two minor hit singles in "DAAAM!" and "The Next Level." Tha Alkaholiks changed their name to Tha Liks for their 1997 album, "Likwidation". It was met with a decent critical reception and about the same commercial reception as "Coast II Coast". It 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. The large amount of time in between releases allowed for each member of Tha Liks to work on solo projects.

olo work

Tash released one album, "Rap Life", on Loud Records in 1999. It received some critical acclaim and little commercial acclaim. It only reached #148 on The Billboard 200, even with guest appearances by famed artists such as Outkast and Kurupt. It did reach #1 on the Top Heatseekers chart which tracks underground acclaim and it had two singles that reached the Hot Rap Singles chart. Those two songs, "Rap Life" featuring Raekwon and "Bermuda Triangle," remain as Tash's best known solo tracks.

According to a recent interview, Tha Alkalholiks are done releasing albums, and Tash is 80% finished with his next solo album, "Control Freek" on the Amalgam Digital label. Album Due February 2008" . [ [http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/tash/ dubcnn.com // West Coast News Network // ] ] It may features appearances from Pharrell, Raekwon, Ludacris, Redman, Snoop Dogg & Ghostface Killah and production by Will.I.Am & J. Wells.

References