Tara J

Tara J is an American R&B singer-songwriter currently signed to Alias Records. She released her debut album Writings in 2005 and is best known for her hits "Don't," "Get Gone'," "Mess'" and "Come As You Are."

Early Life
Tara was born Tara Jones in New York City in 1982. She was born into a multi-racial family with an African-American mother and Irish father. Throughout childhood, she constantly felt like the outcast, being of two races and always tried to fit in. In 2000, Tara graduated high school with a near 4.0 GPA, however money problems in the Jones family did not allow her to attend college. In late 2004, Tara was discovered by pornstar-turned-popstar Malena and was signed to her label, Tigerstar Records.

Writings: The beginning
Months after signing to Tigerstar, Tara released her debut album Writings on 20 June 2005. The album was relatively commercially successful for a new artist, peaking at #7, and selling nearly 400,000 copies. The lead single "Don't U Know" was a Top 20 hit and was followed by the catchy summer tune "Jealous" (#7) and the Destiny's Daughter-penned and duet "Baby" (#6). The album was reissued on 19 September 2005 with the inclusion of the Destiny's Daughter version of "Baby."

Release Some Tension: Worldwide success
Soon after Writings, Tara was back in the studio already readying the release of her sophomore album. Release Some Tension was released on 6 February 2006 to much critical acclaim. The soulful and lustful compilation entered the charts at #6 thanks to the massive success of the lead single "Don't." The single was praised for it's production and sassy lyrics along with the wacky artwork. The single achieved Top 5 status and sold over 100,000 copies. Follow-up singles included two Top 10 singles including the soulful ballad "Come As You Are" and the explosive Esmeralda Dimuzio duet "Mess".

Throwback: High and low
In late 2006, Tara released initial information regarding her much anticipated third release. She promised it would be unlike anything she has ever recorded and told press it would have an "urban disco" vibe throughout the album. The lead single "Get Gone" was released to radio in January 2007 and fans and non-fans alike were instantly hooked on to the sassiness and irrestible beats. The single is due for release on 26 February 2007. Throwback is released one week later on 5 March 2007. Album tracks announced include "Street Symphony," "Nobody But You," "Roses," and "Something Happened On The Way To Heaven." The second single was announced in mid-April. The breezy Anything was chosen and was announced to be released on 28 May 2007. Upon release, the single recieved minimal airplay and poor commercial reception. Entering at #12 on the URAPS Official Singles Chart, Politik was rather disappointed with the performance following the massive success off "Get Gone." Subsequently, Politik put the third single on hold indefinately. Despite the commercial failure of the second single, the album, Throwback has sold in excess off 320,000 copies during its sixteen week stay on the album chart, which is more than the predecessor, Release Some Tension shifted in sixteen weeks.

Shot Failure and Inspiration
While Politik has yielded any immedate single releases from Throwback, Tara still remains on the label. For her latest album Shot From The Head, Tara signed with Alias Records.

In mid-July 2007, Tara appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. During the interview, Tara spoke about her current career status. She told Ellen that she does plan to make a return to music sometime between the Autumn and the end of next year. Tara said, "The reason why I stopped was because of priorities. At that time, I did not feel like music was a priority over my family...nothing should ever be a priority over blood. However, now that things are back in order, I would definately like to get back into it...finish some unfinished business."

In November, Tara announced a full comeback planned for the middle of January which consists of the new single Fuck Forever and a fourth studio album titled Shot From The Head. Upon the premiere of the new single, both fans and critics were both shocked and pleased at how different the track was, yet still distinctly Tara. Tara commented on the album, saying that the whole album has a really raw urban feel to it in the similar vein as the lead single. On 14 January 2008, Tara released her twelfth single Fuck Forever, which was the lead single from her fourth album Shot From The Head. Although the album entered the chart in the Top 10, the single failed to connect with the commercial audience, and both the single and album faded from the charts quickly.

In May of 2008, Tara surprisingly announced that she would release a greatest hits compilation in June preceeded by a new single. Inspiration: The Singles spans her four-album career thus far, and will be supported by lead single Heat. The single is due out 23 June with the album following a week later.

The compilation release is part of contractual terms with Alias Records. It has been lately suggessted that Tara would leave the label, after only a short one-year contract.

Singles
Notes: 1 Only released in the United States. a Chart position based on download sales only.

Other Artists
2006: "Through The Iron Bars" (with Miss Drips) from the album Crucifix 2006: "What's Goin' On" (with Latavia) from the album The Coronation