Up Close … with new rapper and songwriter Natasha Durand |09 January 2018

‘Nothing can stop you from shining’

18-year-old Natasha Durand (aka Tasha Ranks) from Anse Aux Pins has recently been on the rise in the music industry.

The Praslinois grew up with her father Keven Pierre and she has two brothers -- Fabio and Leroy Durand.

She attended primary school on Praslin and Anse Aux Pins and her secondary school days were spent at Pointe Larue.

Tasha enrolled on the tourism and tour guiding programme at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) but did not complete the two-year course as her dreams had taken another turn.

Professional life

Growing up, the talented singer dreamed of many different careers.

“I wanted to become a diver, then a tour guide and at some point even a cabin crew but then I ended up as hair dresser,” she says.

She is currently undertaking an 18-month hairdressing training and upon completion she will pursue hairdressing as a career.

Inspiration

Growing up Tasha admired many singers but most inspiring to her was the wakening of Zanfan Move.

“I started rapping when I was still in school, I would usually rap to Nicki Minaj songs but the first time being in the studio at Supreme Sound was when I was around 16 years old where I sang back up in a song featuring a local artist called Million,” she recalls.

Other international artists whom she loves are Rihanna, Mick Mill, Drake and Lil Wayne but although she takes on to younger local artists, she still has great respect for pioneers in the local music industry namely Jakhim and Mercenary.

Her music

Tasha has released a few singles and has featured in many other songs such as ‘Ride or die’ ft Bangz, ‘Show’ ft Ras Ricky, Gunz & Cocky, ‘Bad’ ft JDA, ‘Roll’ ft Roots and Nasolo, Ou krwar ou so ft MV & CLos, ‘Ganster Party’ ft Bangz, Mugga & Gunz.

She observes that there are not enough girls rapping these days so there is a lack of competition in that area.

“If you have the talent you shouldn’t be shy, nothing can stop you from shining,” she says.

Hobbies

Aside from cooking, singing and cleaning Tasha likes helping others.

“I can take 6 hours cleaning just as long as there is good music that I can listen to,” she says.

Tasha says she also enjoys listening to gospel music every once in a while to clear her mind.

“I’m not always in the mood to listen to ‘banging’ music, sometimes a little gospel can soothe the soul,” she says.

She says she spends most of her free time writing down lyrics usually relating to her feelings or things she is going through.

“I can sing about my life or the life of another to express the struggles that we go through,” she says.

Beliefs

Tasha is one who likes to keep her circle small as she has a few friends which she considers to be her family. And since she believes in upholding strong family values, she wishes to have one of her own someday with at least two kids.

She says she is one who never loses hope.

“At first my father was not really supportive of the decisions I’ve made but now he is coming around and understanding my dreams,” says Tasha.

Tasha says she is not a vengeful person but is mindful to forgive but never forget.

Future plans

Aside from opening her own hairdressing salon someday, Tasha wishes to take her music to the next level.

“Right now I’m still new to this industry and I know there is a long way to go before my music reaches the next level and for that to happen I need to make more time for studio recording sessions,” she says.

She hopes to release an album later this year.

Advice

As a young adult Tasha says she has learned that it is wise to listen to your parents as later on you will come to realise that they were right all along.

She says that people should realise that not all youngsters are bad and the stigmatisation of the youth is very dangerous for the upcoming generation.

“I feel that the youth are undervalued as the society focuses only on the negative issues instead of supporting the youth who actually provide positively to the community. They are capable of making a great difference if we all work together,” she says.

By Ralista Hortere