Tinashe
Biography
Tinashe Jorgensen Kachingwe, known mononymously as Tinashe, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress born on February 6, 1993, in Lexington, Kentucky. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California, when she was eight years old to support her burgeoning career in entertainment. She is the eldest child of college professors and has two younger brothers. Her father is a first-generation immigrant from Zimbabwe of Shona descent, and her mother is of Danish, Norwegian, and Irish descent.
Early Career and The Stunners
Tinashe began her career in entertainment at a young age, with early roles including a motion-capture performance in the animated film "The Polar Express" (2004) and a recurring role on the television series "Two and a Half Men" (2008–2009). In 2007, she joined the girl group The Stunners. The group, founded by Vitamin C, signed with Columbia Records and later Universal Republic Records, releasing an EP and several singles before disbanding in 2011.
Solo Career and Breakthrough
Following the breakup of The Stunners, Tinashe embarked on a solo career, teaching herself to produce and record music in her home studio. She released a series of mixtapes, including "In Case We Die" (2012), "Reverie" (2012), and "Black Water" (2013), which garnered critical acclaim and led to a record deal with RCA Records. Her mainstream breakthrough came in 2014 with the single "2 On," featuring Schoolboy Q, which peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was the lead single from her debut studio album, "Aquarius" (2014), which was well-received by critics.
Studio Albums and Independent Success
Tinashe's subsequent albums with RCA included "Nightride" (2016) and "Joyride" (2018). After departing from RCA Records in 2019, she took full creative control and began releasing music independently. Her independent albums include "Songs for You" (2019), "333" (2021), "BB/Ang3l" (2023), and "Quantum Baby" (2024). The single "Nasty" from "Quantum Baby" became a viral success in 2024, marking her first solo song to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
Artistry and Other Ventures
Tinashe is known for her hands-on creative approach, often taking on roles as a producer, mixer, engineer, and creative director for her projects. Her music is often described as a blend of R&B, pop, and alternative R&B. Beyond her music career, Tinashe has continued to act, appearing in the live television production of "Rent" in 2019.