Hello Music Lovers! I think I have a bit of surprise for you. See 1998 was one of those great years for me and I remember I used to listen to Peter Gunz and Lord Tariq, you know “Uptown baby, Uptown baby, we get’s down baby…” Biggie Smalls, Faith Evans, I mean Hip-Hop and R&B was hot and heavy. One of the songs I remember that blew my mind was this song called “Day Dreamin”. I heard it on the radio first time on my way to class and I was determined to find out who was the voice behind the “speakers”. I got home and was watching BET and guess who I saw? ASHLEY! ASHLEY BANKS! I was amazed! Tatyana Ali was the voice I was looking for.
See music lovers, I will be honest with you music is something that takes possession of anyone even in the most unexpected mediums. Tatyana Marisol Ali, daughter of a nurse and a boxer, was born in Brooklyn, NY. Started singing since she was seven, won Star Search twice, even performed with the Great Jazz Musician Herbie Hancock. This was before she became the cute darling we remember from the hit sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” where she grew up right before our eyes and she did do a number of songs during the life of the series.
She released her debut album “Kiss the Sky” in 1998 that had hits Day Dreamin and Boy you Knock me Out that did very well on the charts globally, and another in 2008 titled “The Light”. I know we are used to seeing her beautiful face on the “Silver Screen” and TV but it doesn’t hurt to know that behind that beautiful smile there is an angelic voice. I just wish she would sing more (I am pretty sure Will Smith has said this too!) and if she gets to read this, I will do a duet with you Tatyana at Karaoke or anywhere!!
Music lovers, remember, Music is like an orchid growing on a marble floor, it is everywhere and anywhere, but it is most beautiful when we do not pay attention to containers that we are “used to” it being packaged in. It is simply beautiful.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Bessie K. 01.13.09 at 10:12 PM
Ahh… I had no idea she was on Star Search as a kid, and won twice at that! Impressive… it’s funny we only know people from how we meet them. Those who knew her before Fresh Prince of Bel Air knew her as a singer, whereas someone like me only know her as an actress. I guess these days it really does pay to be multi-talented.
Amaete Umanah 01.13.09 at 10:25 PM
I remember watching her on “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”. She was pretty then, she is even prettier now.
Femi Ajetunmobi 01.14.09 at 12:49 AM
“Daydream” was a song I couldn’t get enough of those day. Then I discovered “Boy You Knock Me Out” with Will Smith and I was like hooked on her. It’s so sad she didn’t follow up the promises of those first two singles with an enduring career musically bcuz she definitely can sing!
Thanks for spotlighting her.
nkiru okonkwo 01.14.09 at 2:54 PM
Wow, I never associated her wt singing. Loved her on fresh prince, & saw her as an actress “only”, until now. Quite impressive
Kelechi Ukoha 01.17.09 at 8:17 PM
Like I said “…in the most unexpected places…”