Tash (rapper)
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
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.
, 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 100% finished with his next solo album, Control Freek
on the Amalgam Digital label. The album was released June 2009. It features appearances from B-real, J-ro and King Tee and production by Will.I.Am
, Maestro, and J. Wells
.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Tash, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
. He is most known for his work as a member of West Coast
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
group, Tha Alkaholiks
Tha Alkaholiks
Tha Alkaholiks, also known as Tha Liks, was an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. Since the early 1990s they have produced funky, upbeat, hedonism-themed party music with a hardcore hip hop edge, powered by the beats of DJ and producer E-Swift and the lively, comedic rhymes of...
alongside J-Ro
J-Ro
James Robinson, known by his stage name J-Ro is a hip-hop performer and former member of Tha Alkaholiks. He is also a regular guest/contributor of Combat Radio - Discography :818 Antics*Mix-CD*Released: May 5, 2006...
and E-Swift. He has released two solo albums, Rap Life
Rap Life
Rap Life is the solo debut album by West Coast hip hop artist, Tash. It was released in 1999, two years before and after Tash's albums with Tha Liks. It received positive critical reception, but was not too commercially successful. It reached #148 on The Billboard 200, but reached #1 on the Top...
(1999) and Control Freek
Control Freek
Control Freek is the second solo effort by rapper Tash, former member of the West Coast hip hop crew Tha Alkaholiks. This albums comes ten years after Tash's first well-received solo album Rap Life. It was released in 2009 on Amalgam Digital...
(2009), and has worked on five albums with Tha Alkaholiks. Tash recently announced signing with the hip hop record label Amalgam Digital
Amalgam Digital
Amalgam Digital, Inc. is a new media outfit that was founded in 2006 as a privately owned company and launched AmalgamDigital.com in 2007. Amalgam is a digital media/technology platform that leverages the Internet to revolutionize the way artist & music are discovered, marketed and distributed...
to release his independent debut entitled Control Freek
Control Freek
Control Freek is the second solo effort by rapper Tash, former member of the West Coast hip hop crew Tha Alkaholiks. This albums comes ten years after Tash's first well-received solo album Rap Life. It was released in 2009 on Amalgam Digital...
.
Early Life/Early Career
Tash was born in Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
in 1971, but moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
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
King Tee
Roger McBride, mostly known as King Tee , is an American West coast rapper from Compton, California.-Career:...
, 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
Tha Triflin' Album
Tha Triflin' Album is the third album by West Coast hip hop artist King Tee. It was panned critically for being dated and containing a "lighter rap approach." It contains two singles; "Got It Bad Y'all" featuring Tha Alkaholiks and "Black Togetha Again." Neither of them charted, but Tha Triflin'...
. Soon after their appearance, Tha Alkaholiks started touring with famed hip hop artists such as Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, and even inked a record deal with Loud
Loud Records
Loud Records is a subsidiary of SRC Records founded by Steve Rifkind in 1992.Loud was a hip hop label which has released material by acts such as Wu-Tang Clan, Big Punisher, Mobb Deep, Krayzie Bone, The Beatnuts, M.O.P., Tha Alkaholiks, Pete Rock, Lil' Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Xzibit,...
/RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. 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
21 & Over
21 & Over is the debut album by West Coast hip hop group, Tha Alkaholiks. It is highly praised, and has been described as "the quintessential West Coast party album." It has ten tracks, timed at only about 35 minutes, but it contains three singles, "Make Room," "Likwit" and "Mary Jane." None of...
. 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." 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." 1995 saw the release of Coast II CoastCoast II Coast
Coast II Coast is the second album of hip hop trio The Alkaholiks released in 1995. It features guest rapping from Xzibit, Diamond D, King Tee, Lootpack, Q-Tip, Declaime and The Baby Bubbas. It features production from Tha Alkoholiks themselves, E-Swift, Madlib and Diamond D.-Track listing:-Album...
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
Likwidation
Likwidation is the third album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released in 1997 on Loud Records. The album features a large amount of guest appearances, including Nas, Lootpack, Keith Murray, Xzibit, LL Cool J, Ol' Dirty Bastard and King Tee. The album's lead single, "Hip Hop Drunkies",...
. 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
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit with "Hip Hop Drunkies" featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard
Ol' Dirty Bastard
Russell Tyrone Jones was an American rapper and occasional producer, who went by the stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard or simply ODB...
, which is their most successful recording of all time. Tash and his group went on to release X.O. Experience
X.O. Experience
X.O. Experience is the fourth album by West Coast hip hop group Tha Alkaholiks, released under their nickname Tha Liks. Released four years after their third album Likwidation, X.O. Experience was not as acclaimed as their past work, and received moderate sales. The cover is an homage to that of...
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.
Solo work
Tash released one album, Rap LifeRap Life
Rap Life is the solo debut album by West Coast hip hop artist, Tash. It was released in 1999, two years before and after Tash's albums with Tha Liks. It received positive critical reception, but was not too commercially successful. It reached #148 on The Billboard 200, but reached #1 on the Top...
, on Loud Records
Loud Records
Loud Records is a subsidiary of SRC Records founded by Steve Rifkind in 1992.Loud was a hip hop label which has released material by acts such as Wu-Tang Clan, Big Punisher, Mobb Deep, Krayzie Bone, The Beatnuts, M.O.P., Tha Alkaholiks, Pete Rock, Lil' Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Xzibit,...
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
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
and Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
. It did reach #1 on the Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart which tracks underground acclaim and it had two singles that reached the Hot Rap Singles chart. Those two songs, "Rap Life" featuring Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
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 100% finished with his next solo album, Control Freek
Control Freek
Control Freek is the second solo effort by rapper Tash, former member of the West Coast hip hop crew Tha Alkaholiks. This albums comes ten years after Tash's first well-received solo album Rap Life. It was released in 2009 on Amalgam Digital...
on the Amalgam Digital label. The album was released June 2009. It features appearances from B-real, J-ro and King Tee and production by Will.I.Am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, Maestro, and J. Wells
J. Wells
J. Wells is a record producer, businessman, and occasional rapper. He is a member of the Likwit Crew.- Biography :...
.
| Album information |
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| Rap Life Rap Life Rap Life is the solo debut album by West Coast hip hop artist, Tash. It was released in 1999, two years before and after Tash's albums with Tha Liks. It received positive critical reception, but was not too commercially successful. It reached #148 on The Billboard 200, but reached #1 on the Top...
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| Control Freek Control Freek Control Freek is the second solo effort by rapper Tash, former member of the West Coast hip hop crew Tha Alkaholiks. This albums comes ten years after Tash's first well-received solo album Rap Life. It was released in 2009 on Amalgam Digital... |