For Tazjin, a 20-year-old rap artist from Mansfield, rapping has been part of his life since eleven years of age. He began his career by handing out mix tapes of himself by the time he was age 14. To kick start his professional career as an artist, he started promoting himself in any way he could.
“I mixed everything myself and passed out CDs myself before I knew anybody. All the promotions was all me,” said Tazjin.
Paris Bihari, owner of Pics By Paris and manager for the artist, noticed Tazjin’s enthusiasm for music and decided to show Tazjin the business side of the music scene. Bihari wishes to create a degree of professionalism in the local music scene by promoting artists with his pictures and dealings with local venues like Chris’s Cafe.
“[Tazjin] had a zeal for it, which is why I decided to help him learn the business side to music. I want to show him how to earn respect in the business,” Bihari said.
Now, at the age of 20, Tazjin has recorded a total of 38 original songs with the help of Producer Marshall Levins, and band manager. This Friday evening at Chris’s Cafe in Mansfield will be Tazjin’s Whole New Page EP release party. Also performing at the show: Columbus area artist Beyond Pluto, Hopp, Lev, and Dirty Wax.
Tazjin has been attracted to music his whole life with influences from the young Bow Wow, Nelly, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, 2 Pac, Ludacris, and Eminem. His lyrics usually reflect on what he is going through in life. But, usually, the music from a track recorded by Marshall Levins inspires the words to “just come.”
“Lyrics are about whatever I’m feeling about. But it depends how the track is, and words just come to me,” said Tazjin.
Tazjin recognizes a need for variety in Mansfield’s music scene. By performing at local shows, he hopes to inspire people to join the hip-hop movement.
“I want to kinda start a movement and inspire others to start [making and producing] original music,” commented Tazjin. “I have a passion for music. I could try to stop, but that’s not going to happen,” he added.
To sample Tazjin’s music, visit his bandcamp page or his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter.
Friday night’s show at Chris’s Cafe in Mansfield, located at 1111 West Fourth Street, starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until 2 a.m. The show is free and anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Be advised that some songs contain strong language and mature themes. For more information on the show, visit the event’s Facebook page.
