Born in New York City and raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Tash Mahogany Austin has always been destined for stardom. A skilled writer with the ability to transcend genres, Tash gracefully balances being an expressive vocalist and a mean lyricist (you may catch her rapping a few hot bars at times) with beauty and brains to match. While being raised between New Jersey and spending her childhood summers in Greensboro, NC, Tash developed a "southern belle" characteristic, which is evident in her warm, kind, demeanor and soulful lyrics.
As a child, Tash used poetry as her creative outlet and won several national competitions until reaching the age of 9. She instinctively started turning her verses into lyrics to sing and rap, through studying influences like Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, Anita Baker and Etta James. After being introduced to producer KayGee (Naughty by Nature), Tash polished her songwriting skills by testing them on KayGee as he developed acclaimed R&B artists Jaheim and Coffee Brown.
Upon realizing that she wanted to pursue her music further, Tash began performing at live shows to strengthen her stage presence. While performing at a local open mic in New Jersey, she was spotted by Beretta 9 of the hip hop group Killarmy (Wu Tang). Beretta heard Tash singing, and asked if she would contribute to a project he was working on at the time. Soon after, RZA (Wu Tang) requested her lyrics and vocals for his Birth of a Prince album (2003). Her involvement in that project led to two national tours with RZA and Wu Tang, a performance at Quentin Tarrantino's Kill Bill movie premiere party, a show at the Apollo, and an appearance on The Carson Daily Show.
Mahogany has also worked with many notable designers and photographers for editorial layouts, and became the first website model for Kimora Lee Simmons' Baby Phat clothing line. Tash's unique look sparked requests for music video cameos for other fellow artists, and MTV2 later featured her in their popoular Video Honeys documentary. She began studying theater, and later secured appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Chappelle's Show, and worked on films such as Spiderman II, We Own the Night, and Spike Lee's 25th Hour.
Today, Tash can be found providing vocals on tracks with Killarmy, Kool G Rap, RZA, Juelz Santana, Fabolous, Ghostface Killah, John Robinson and Jugaknot. Tash was also on the road during Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige's "Heart of The City" tour, representing Ciroc, the vodka newly endorsed by Diddy. She can also be heard on George Clintons newly released "Gangsters of Love" album the bonus tk. entitled "Heaven", the Wu Tang album "8 Diagrams", "Whar", off the "Afro Samurai - Resurrection" sdtk, and is working on recording a solo project, featuring Tash on acoustic guitar, for an iTunes release, .
Tash in store Accoustic performance
Part II of Tru Gallery In Store Performance
Canvas and Mahogany Publishing's Friend Space (Top 6)
