Taz Arnold is a 21st century cultural icon. As a founding member of Sa-Ra and pioneer of genre-bending electronic-infused soul, Arnold has impacted a generation of young artists from Kanye West and Big Sean to Kendrick Lamar and Wiz Khalifa. As a cultural tastemaker, for Pastel, MCM, and ultimately the father and founder of the Ti$A brand, Taz’s aesthetic leanings and fashion acumen influenced the appearance of hip-hop culture for more than the past decade. Taz’s progressive approach to music and style, a patchwork of juxtaposing genres and eras, manifests itself as an effortless expression of his creative genius.
Taz’s fusion of sound brings together diverse vibrations of jazz, soul, funk, rock, electronic, R&B, and hip-hop into a unique blend of futuristic rhythm beyond categorization. The eclectic blend of influences on Taz’s art are evident on his recent contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy nominated “To Pimp a Butterfly,” which included production on three tracks (“For Sale (Interlude)”, “Momma” and “U”) and background vocals on four, including the Grammy award winning “i”, as well as his forthcoming collaborative project “Hood Love.” Scheduled for release in 2016, “Hood Love” is the new crown jewel of Taz’s library, which already includes contributions to Dr. Dre’s Chronic 2001 and production for Erykah Badu, Common, Jurassic 5, and Pharoah Monche. Additionally in 2016, Taz expects to release an anticipated fashion, art and music collaboration with Moog synthesizers as well as new recordings with Sa-Ra to follow up their reunion on Ty Dolla Sign’s “Finale.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles to a musical family from the Watts and Compton areas, music is in Arnold’s blood. Taz grew up learning drum chops on Parliament/Funkadelic’s Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey’s kit that was given to Taz’s father. His step-mother, P.P. Arnold, a former Ikette with Ike and Tina Turner, enjoyed a successful solo career in the late 60s UK music scene and later married Crosby, Stills, and Nash bassist Calvin “Fuzzy” Samuel. Taz’s uncle, Michael Stanton, played with both Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.
Look for more to come from the Los Angeles native and culture icon by following @TazArnold, and staying tuned to Ti$a Records and Ti$A Studios for more information on the forthcoming “Hood Love” project!