International recording artist, Tasha LaRae is blazing her trail around the world with soulful house & R&B vocals. In 2008 Tasha joined hip-hop trailblazers Arrested Development as their new lead female vocalist and wrote and performed on several albums including “Strong” 2009, “Standing At The Crossroads” 2012, “Changing The Narrative” 2016, “This Was Never Home” 2016, and “Craft & Optics” 2018, with the band picking up 2 x Grammy Awards on the way. In recent years, Tasha has become a star on the Soulful House scene, releasing her debut solo album, “Tasha”, in 2019 along with many singles and collaborations, she has become a firm favourite with the Quantize Recordings fans. As she releases her second album “Right Now”, DMCWorld checks in for a chat with the amazing Tasha LaRae.
Hi Tasha, welcome to DMC World. How’s 2025 been for you so far?
Hi there! Thanks so much for having me. My year has been great so far. It’s come with its own set of unique challenges to navigate (personally, professionally, and politically), but I’m remaining optimistic.
What is the best piece of new music you have heard recently?
I’m loving “I Am The One (Tribute to Roberta Flack) by Ezel. This track is the latest addition to my morning playlist.
Who or what inspires your music?
I’m inspired by real life events. It can be anything from something I’ve experience personally to a conversation with a friend and anything in between.
What’s been your most successful release so far?
My most successful release so far is my cover of the late but great Soulful Queen, Ms. Angie Stone’s “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” The John Morales M+M Vocal Mix. We released it in 2019 and it has remained my most streamed song each year since.
You’ve been the lead female vocalist for Hip Hop titans Arrested Development since 2009, what’s your favourite release from your time with the band?
In January 2010, we released an album called ‘Strong’. It was my first album with the group, the group’s sixth album. My favorite song is “Let Your Voice Be Heard”. The music has this driving force behind it that makes me want to get up and make a difference in this world somehow. I get hyped every time we perform it to this day. To collaborate with Speech, Eshe, Rasa Don, 1 Love, JJ Boogie, and Za was an amazing experience. I penned the chorus, “Beautiful people around the world/ stand up for what you believe in / Open up your mouth/ say it loud and proud/ let your voice be heard.”
And what’s going on in the world of Arrested Development in 2025, have you any new releases in the pipeline that you can tell us about?
Yes, we just released a new single with a music video called “All I See Is Melanin” and it’s out on all music platforms. We’ll also be returning to Europe and the UK this summer for a few clubs and music festivals.
So what inspired you take the leap into the Soulful House scene?
I was introduced to house music by a few of my friends in the music business around 2015 and I’ve been hooked ever since. Previous to house, I was writing and recording Soul, R&B, and Gospel but once I got a taste of Soulful House, I knew my voice found its home. Then in 2016, I released my first single on Quantize Recordings called, “Find My Way” and I’ve been going ever since. (A special shout out to Tracy Hamlin for introducing me to DJ Spen all those years ago!)
Congratulations on the release of your second album, ‘Right Now’ what was the inspiration behind the release and what can we expect to hear?
Thank you! I was inspired to release this album because I was feeling an overwhelming sense of not wanting to waste any more time trying to wait for the “perfect” or “right time” to do things. My current attitude is make the most of everything I have right now. It’s the ultimate way to express gratitude in the present moment and not take anything (or anyone) for granted.
How does ‘Right Now’, differ from your first album “Tasha” in 2019, and how do you think your sound has changed?
My first album featured more original tracks than my current album. As I continue to my songwriting style I’m very much inspired by past songs that we all know and love. ‘Right Now’ is a collection of cover songs that I highly respect and I did my best to do those songs justice without compromising the integrity of the original works. The album also includes 5 original songs that I’m extremely proud of.
What’s your favourite track from the album and why?
“Right Now” is my favourite track from this album because it perfectly sums up how I feel about life. As far as we know, we only get one chance to live the life we have. I want to do all the things my heart desires while I still have the chance.
What do you like to do to chill, when you’re not making music?
When I’m not making music, I love to spend hours making things in my craft room. Handmade gifts, earrings, stationary items, painting, drawing – you name it. It’s so relaxing and exciting.
You’ve got some pretty impressive names on the line-up, who was involved with the project?
Yes! I’m humbled to have worked with each of them on this project and hopefully many more to come. The producers for this album, in order of appearance, are Beat Rivals (John Morton & Kevin Doorbeejah), Thommy Davis, DJ Spen, Michele Chiavarini, John Khan, Yooks, John Morales, Dee Wiz, Jordache V. Grant, Shino Blackk, SoulLab, Kenny Jaeger, Gershon Jackson, Neil Pierce, Soulista, & Gary Hudgins. Plus a host of amazing musicians and engineers.
What was it like working with legends such as John Morales, DJ Spen and Thommy Davis?
When I work with these three living legends, I know my artistry is going to be pushed to the next level. Sometimes they can hear my voice go places that I didn’t know it could go. And they suggest songs for me to cover that I probably would have been intimidated by on my own. I appreciate them sharing their knowledge with me and they have plenty of industry stories to share!
Tasha LaRae ‘Right Now’ album is out now on Quantize Recordings.
