ΤΔZ tīˈko͞on - Taz Tikoon

TAZ Tikoon is quickly becoming one of the biggest artists from the Old Dominion. This year has already seen her liberate the well-received projects Prisontation: Life in a Sentence — a collection filled with audio recordings between her and her incarcerated father — and By the Bar, Vol. 1. Last week, the Hampton, Virginia talent continued her momentum with Airplane Mode, an eight-track body of work with additional contributions from Chanel Sosa and Corey Benjamins.

Via press release, TAZ Tikoon explained the meaning behind her latest body of work:

One notable standout from Airplane Mode is the Venom Beatz-produced “First Class,” which seems to find the A3C “This Is My Year” award recipient channelling lavish vibes in the same vein as Rick Ross:

In addition to her musical endeavors, TAZ has been making waves in other facets of digital media, including as a radio host during her years at Howard University and through her own web series “The Tazmania Show.”

Press play on TAZ Tikoon’s Airplane Mode — also added is a fairly recent visual for “Reign Checc,” another collaboration alongside Corey Benjamins from last year’s .Wav Goddess EP. - Revolt TV

As we have seen over the past couple of years, the women in the rap game have been absolutely dominating and really leaving such a major imprint on the game overall. With the acts like Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion and Latto leading the charge, it was only a matter of time before more women came in the game to go crazy as well. Virginia-native TAZ Tikoon is an artist who packs a crazy flow, and has the swag to match it. Today, she is making her Lyrical Lemonade debut as she takes flight on her new EP, Airplane Mode.

To provide some insight on Taz’s journey, she began working within the fashion industry supporting her very own clothing line. That love for fashion eventually transitioned into a love for music when she began working on music journalism after that. Soon enough, she would put her pen to another use and hop in the booth to tell her story on the mic, and it has been going amazing for her ever since.

When speaking to Tax about the creation of the project, she states:

“I created Airplane Mode to disconnect to reconnect to my higher self. Sometimes your elevation requires isolation. I wanted to get higher while still being grounded. I had to cut off a lot of people so that I could get closer to God. When a person puts their phone in airplane mode it’s either because they’re flying or they don’t want to be reached”. - Lyrical Lemonade

2019 A3C Festival ‘This is My Year’ winner and LA transplant Taz Tikoon unloads her brand new Airplane Mode EP. Distributed by Steve Stoute’s United Masters, the 8-track body of work from the Virginia native includes features from Chanel Sosa and Corey Benjamins. The C.A.S. Agency founder’s latest drop follows 2021 previous releases, Prisontation: Life In A Sentence and By The Bar, Vol. 1; the latter which caught the attention of Maybach Music Group CEO on Instagram; prompting him to like a handful of posts on her profile.

“I created Airplane Mode to disconnect to reconnect to my higher self. Sometimes your elevation requires isolation. I wanted to get higher while still being grounded. I had to cut off a lot of people so that I could get closer to God. When a person puts their phone in airplane mode it’s either because they’re flying or they don’t want to be reached,” says the entrepreneurial focused rapstress about why the project was made. - This is 50

The success of her debut mixtape, Late Nights to Fame, Vol. 1, made the Virginia recording artist Taz Tikoon an artist-to-watch. Following the debut, Tikoon caught the attention of Rick Ross with 2021 projects Prisontation: Life In A Sentence and By The Bar, Vol. 1. The newfound popularity landed her on stage with Hip-Hop superstars Questlove of The Roots, Jadakiss and Styles P. Now — the former Hip-Hop journalist-turned-2019 A3C Festival ‘This is My Year’ winner — continues to rise to mainstream prominence with the release of her new EP, titled Airplane Mode.

In the latest release, Taz Tikoon showcases her lyrical evolution with eight new songs that address family, friends, spirituality and wealth. Featuring collaborations with buzzworthy artists Chanel Sosa and Corey Benjamins, the project includes breakout tracks “Turbulence,” “Heir Waves” and “First Class.” Appealing, inspirational and impactful, the brand new project is distributed by Steve Stoute’s popular United Masters imprint.

“I created Airplane Mode to disconnect to reconnect to my higher self,” Taz says in a press release. “Sometimes your elevation requires isolation. I wanted to get higher while still being grounded. I had to cut off a lot of people so that I could get closer to God. When a person puts their phone in airplane mode it’s either because they’re flying or they don’t want to be reached.”

Aside from the co-signs and music, Taz Tikoon is best known for the Los Angeles-based media company, The C.A.S. Agency, a full-service consulting company specializing in media coverage and event production. The agency spawned monthly events and quickly became respected as a cultural fixture. Prior to becoming a recording artist, music has been the cornerstone of all of Taz’s creative endeavors.

Stream the new project below and for more Taz Tikoon, follow her on social media. - Substream Magazine

Virginia Rapper Taz Tikoon sat down with us in an exclusive interview to discuss how she came up with her name, music inspiration, and her best projects to date! - 247 Live Culture

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Hampton's own "TAZ," nicknamed for her infectious energy level, is on a mission to entertain, educate and empower young people to face mental illness head on. Click here to learn more about her music, movitvational speaking and upcoming collaborations. - Fox 43 News Wavy TV 10

She will be known as THE girl from Hampton — a hip hop lyricist that helped put “the 7-5” on the map.

For now, we call her Taz.

A native of Hampton, VA, Taz is currently making rounds promoting her latest EP titled, Mentally Ill.

After the suffering the loss of three friends to suicide, she funneled her pain into her work. Mentally Ill was born, a double entendre illuminating both her electrifying personality and her struggles with mental health.

More than a skilled MC, this rapper and mental health advocate uses her artistry to teach acceptance, ultimately removing the stigma around mental illness and emotional distress.

Chelsea Lemore recently sat down with Taz to talk about her latest project, her inspirations and more! See the full interview below - iPower Richmond 92.1

Taz is a recording artist and entrepreneur from Hampton, Virginia. Through her former web-series The Tazmania Show she’s interviewed many celebrities, and worked for respected companies such as BET, Viacom, and Vibe Magazine. Today, she is CEO of C.A.S. Agency, a full service consulting and entertainment company specializing in media coverage and event production.

Within the last couple of years Taz has become a hardcore advocate for mental health awareness. After her own battles with depression, anxiety, and losing friends to suicide, she decided to use her platform to bring awareness to it. In January, Taz will be dropping her highly anticipated 5th EP, Mentally iLL. The title serves as a double entendre to represent Taz’s genius as well as her openness about mental illness and suicide.

Ursula:

First I must ask, how did you not become star struck talking to such big names like John Legend or Neyo while hosting the Tazmania Show?

Taz
I’m not gonna lie, there was always a moment when I had a little bit of butterflies. Growing up, I was obsessed with 106 and Park and Rap City: The Basement. I remember when I got the call for John Legend, Neyo, and Eric Benet. I couldn’t believe it was really for my show!

Ursula

How do you feel about doing music as well as conducting interviews?

Taz:

There’s not a lot of women that do interviews and look like me. That’s how I feel when I look at journalists or podcasters, but the landscape is changing. Naturally I am artist so that was the hard part, trying to contain being a rapper but knowing that interviewing is what I wanted to do. That’s why I kind of stepped away from doing interviews to finally focus on music. I thought you had to pick one, but honestly that seems to be changing as well.

Ursula
Whenever you write music or look for artists, do you search for more conscious lyricists or is it more of a wide scope?

Taz
It’s a little bit of everything, I am a natural born lyricist so that’s what I prefer. Still, I love the new sound the younger generation is creating as well. I think music has a purpose based off of your mood, I can’t just limit it to a certain type.

Ursula

The album drops in January right?


Taz

Yes, January 28th on J. Cole’s birthday. He’s the reason I started rapping so it’s my birthday gift to him!

Ursula
That’s quite the compliment. Why is this EP so important to you?

TAZ
All of my music has always had a purpose, but this project allows me to go speak in high schools and colleges. I partnered with NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness. My music has never done this. This album is powerful and brings people to tears. It’s not all dark though. There are also fun turn up songs. Some kids may not be receptive to my speeches, but they’ll be receptive to these bars! I’m talking about some real heavy stuff, but it’s very easy to digest.


Ursula

Will there be a clean version of your album available for younger listeners?

Taz

I do have a clean version of Mentally ILL. I’ve never made clean music, but they’re booking me to come and speak at so many schools, and I don’t want anyone’s teachers or parents upset about the language. When I go into these schools, I ask students to raise their hand if they ever feel strange or hopeless. There have been times where a whole cafeteria of kids hold their hands up. We can’t stop every person from attempting suicide, but we can start the conversation and make it look cool instead of embarrassing.

Ursula

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Taz
I see myself making a living off of my music and my mental health speeches. I want to get into production, engineering, and song writing for other artists. I see myself launching the first leg of my version of No Limit Records, Roc-A-Fella, or Bad Boy. I want to provide job opportunities for other people and creators. Hopefully this album will be the thing that opens up the doors for the other things we’re talking about.

Ursula
I appreciate you letting me pick your brain and ask you some questions. I definitely tip my hat to everything that you’re doing right now because it’s so positive. Is there anything else you want to say to our audience?

Taz
First and foremost, thank you God. That’s the biggest, the number one, the All Mighty because without God this wouldn’t have happened. Also, I just want to give a shout out to the people involved on the Mentally ILL album that helped bring this to life. Mentally ILL was not just the brainchild of me and I just want to give a shout out to Chris Chiles who produced, mixed, and mastered the album. Farro Jarro, he also produced on the album. BJ the Photographer and Beacasso based out of L.A. who shot the cover art. I only have one feature on the project my homegirl, Ventage from California. Shoutout to Kirby Carroll, my publicist. Shoutout to Lady, my fiancé, and NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness for partnering with me on this album. Finally, I want to announce that we’re going to be launching the ILL Tour very soon so be on the lookout for that.

Ursula

How can people book you or look for your music, merchandise, or events?

Taz

If anybody wants to book me, they can contact me at @TazmaniaShow on Instagram or on our website thecasagency.com. That’s where we have artists, tech events, and networking events. If you want to download all of my albums or get merch, everything that we talked about today is on my website thecasagency.com. - Plastiq Mag

Artist: Taz

Title: “D.U.I.”

Hometown: Hampton, Virginia

Hot Take: Taz puts a positive spin on “D.U.I.” by making it “Dope Under Influence.” The track was inspired by a dope party Taz attended where everyone was under her influence. Don’t drink and drive but you can drive and press play below. - Karen Civil

TAZ interviews with her hometown radio station 103 Jamz.

DL Mentally iLL on all streaming platforms now https://ffm.to/qcqkcmeiqj
Book TAZ now and order your merch via thecasagency.com - iHeart Radio 103 Jamz

After releasing her single “D.U.I” last summer, Taz returns with her latest leak “Cop That.” Produced by Venom Beatz, the mono-tone cut finds the Virginia native sticking to the script, delivering raw yet relatable bars. - Miss Info TV

With no further ado, I give you DMV native Taz‘s Art Official Mixtape. Listen, Share & Repeat by streaming the project after the jump! - Hip Hop Since 1987