Introducing Tah Mac: Love, Life & Reality

Pop rapper, producer and multi-instrumentalist Tah Mac is an anomaly. The rising star, whose moniker is a marriage between his childhood nickname (“Lil Tah”) and last name (Macintosh), has found success in standing defiant towards expectations and status quos. Despite being born in Brooklyn, the baby-faced double threat single-handedly built notoriety and chart success in the UK.

Though his acclaim has been acquired through party and champagne rhymes, he gained his production acumen from boom-bap boardsmen like Redman, Erick Sermon and Rocwilder, the latter advising him: “If you learn this drum machine, it will be your golden ticket.” Without any major label support, the talent produced for stars like Estelle, Leona Lewis, and toured the world, even earning the opportunity to open on several tour dates for one of earth’s largest superstars, Justin Beiber. While Tah Mac’s amorphousness remains the catalyst of these aforementioned triumphs, it’s been accessorized with his out-the-box thought and a dogged work ethic.

Tah Mac at MOBO Awards 2013

Though Tah Mac has experienced his share of mistakes, as do most independent artists, he’s had the fortune of sowing success with a succession of ingenuity. In 2002, the former East New York resident, who had been a regular commuter from America to the UK, where his Guyanese relatives reside, decided to remain in London and pursue his career on the British music scene instead of U.S. soil. Back home, the airwaves and music television networks were saturated with categorical rap––MC’s were either gangster (50 Cent, The Game) or gimmicky (Dem Franchise Boyz). Tah Mac had no interest in fitting in. “In the United States it seemed like everything was stagnant or repeating itself,” remembers Tah Mac. “There was positivity, but not enough––it was overshadowed by the gangsta music. I think there was a fear to making clean music that can cross all borders.”

Tah Mac at Beat 99.9 FM

After launching his own Tah Mac Entertainment Inc, the product of Caribbean parents would embark on an uninterrupted path toward pinning his name onto the global map. He would network diligently and give his all in the studio, whether producing for the UK’s biggest selling pop group (Sugababes) or inevitable international stars (Leona Lewis). Perseverance and a personal creed of “You’re only as good as your last accomplishment” eventually landed Tah his first #1 record in the UK having produced local artist Royston’s “Make Your Body Shake” (2005). The hit would allow Tah to not only tour the UK and Europe, hitting a plethora of famed venues from the Manchester Arena to Ireland’s Dublin Station, but other continents as well, such as Africa (Rwanda) and Asia (Japan). The next year Tah Mac would top his first #1 with a feature spot on the “official full fat remix” of American pop singer JoJo’s “Too Little Too Late.” The remix would reach 2X platinum in the UK and Europe. The next year, Tah Mac would outdo himself again by landing his biggest appearance with the remix for Ciara’s “My Love,” found on the UK deluxe version of her Evolution album.

Tah Mac and Akon at Billboard Awards 2013

By 2008, Tah scored himself a distribution deal with Universal Direct. He was an independent act moving as a major label. Seizing the moment to put his rapper foot ahead of his producer pivot, T. Mac was ready to offer the world his debut album. He would first release the single “Lavish Lifestyle” (produced by Tony Dinero, House of Pain’s DJ Lethal and Poison guitarist Richie Kotzen). Then, with yet another ingenious idea, for the next two years Tah wouldn’t just tour the expected big cities in countries like South Africa, Australia and of course the UK, but instead focus on working smaller untapped markets, which are far more appreciative of visiting acts. The plan was a huge success. Tah’s “amalgamation of sound” debut WELCOME 2 TAHLAND dropped on March 29, 2010 and just over a month later “Lavish Lifestyle” would be certified gold in the UK. WELCOME 2 TAHLAND would sell 250,000 copies across Europe.

TahMac and David Guetta at the BillBoard Awards 2013

The warm reception he received internationally only motivated Tah Mac to create greater music and aspire taller heights. While being courted by several labels in 2012, what Tah Mac was most appreciative of was his jaw-dropping opportunity to open five shows for Justin Beiber’s 2012 BELIEVE TOUR. Fortuitously being able to choose which states he would join Beiber, the MC chose two California stops, both NY shows––the stage he always dreamt of touching, Madison Square Garden, and his birthplace’s new arena, Barclays Centre––as well as the “untapped market” of Tacoma, Washington. Of all the stages he’s touched around the world, this was his mountaintop as a performer.

Tah Mac

“Seven minutes on stage for Justin Beiber’s tour was more than anything I could have imagined,” says Tah. “30,000 people at one show at a time? When nobody really knows you in the market? It was a great experience. Now it’s time for me to evolve from that and become the entity that I’m supposed to be.”

It may be quite the task for T.M. to trump his 2012, but with a newly inked joint venture with SONY Epic in place. In April 2013, he released exclusively online his EP Love Life and Reality, a ten-track winner buoyed by the David Guetta produced “Trippin” and dedicated to stopping and smelling the roses. “The album’s about celebrating life, about celebrating the journey, the mistakes you’ve made and overcome to find success. To be able to sit down with my peers across the world and articulate that is incredible. I’m very grateful for that.”

Tah Mac

In addition to the EP, he began a 25-city tour of American intermediate schools and universities (including USC and UCLA) and this summer will see the release of his first full-length album. With independent acts from smaller regions mining gold and platinum sales (think Macklemore and Ryan Lewis) and the influx of overseas born artists increasingly being embraced by American fans (and vice versa), there couldn’t be a more fitting time for Tah Mac to take his act mainstream. The world appears to be ripe for his taking. Then again, he’s always seen it that way.

Tah Mac at K2O Entertainemt Launch Party in Lagos

Saturday December 7th, 2013 the Nigerian music industry witnesses the birth of K2o Entertainment and in attendance for the first time in Nigeria of Tah Mac, who performed his hit single “Oxygen”.

Tah Mac performing Oxygen at K2O Entertainemt Launch Party in Lagos

New EP (Love, Life & Reality) by TahMc Entertainment/Epic artist musician and producer TAHMAC, features guest artists including David Guetta, Jermaine Riley and more.

LISTEN AND DOWNLOAD LOVE, LIFE & REALITY EP BY TAH MAC BELOW:
(This playlist contains 10 tracks, total time: 31.16)

Discography:

Present 2013 – 2004

• “Tripping” – Tah Mac, Produced by David Guetta – 2012 (Writer, Artist, Performer)

• “Money Talks” – Tah Mac feat. Meaku, Produced by Mr. Speed & Jiv Pos – 2012 (Writer, Artist, Performer)

• “The Lights” – Tah Mac feat. Meaku, Produced by J.B. – 2011 (Artist, Writer, Performer)

• “California” – Tah Mac feat. Keely Julian, Produced by Tony Deniro – 2011 (Writer, Artist, Performer)

• “Lavish Lifestyle” – Tah Mac, Produced by DJ Lethal, Ritchie Kotzen & Tony Deniro – 2009 (Writer, Artist, Performer)

• “Let Loose” – Tah Mac, “Welcome 2 Tahland” – 2009, (Producer, Artist, Writer, Performer)

• “Back In Time” – Tah Mac, feat. Cocoa Sarai, Produced by Arab Jones Beats – 2009 (Co-Producer, Artist, Performer)

• “Give Back” – Tah Mac, feat. Mutya Buena – 2009 (Producer, Writer, Artist, Performer)

• “Too Little Too Late” – JoJo Official Full Phat Remix, 2x Platinum UK & Europe – 2006 (Feature, Writer, Performer)

• “Miss My Love” – Ciara – Official Remix, U.S. Platinum Album, UK Deluxe LP – 2006 (Feature, Writer, Performer)

• “Get Up” – Tah Mac, feat. J.D & Royston – 2005, (Writer, Artist)

• “Make it Bounce” – Tah Mac feat. Forte – 2005 (Co-Production, Writer, Artist)

• “Make Your Body Shake” – Tah Mac, feat. Royston, #1 Urban Record 2004 UK – (Producer, Writer, Artist)

• “1980” Remix – Estelle – 2005 (Producer)

• “Suga Sweet” – Leona Lewis – 2004 (Producer, Feature, Writer, Performer)

• “My Life” – Javine – 2004 (Producer, Writer)

• “Flying” – Javine – 2004 (Producer, Feature, Writer)