‘You can be anything you want to be’ - Baby Tash gives powerful charge to youths

Dancehall artiste Baby Tash has urged young Jamaicans to hold onto their dreams, notwithstanding the obstacles that my present themselves.

The entertainer, whose given name is Tashon Williams, gave the charge while addressing scores of students at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Eastern Region's Culture Club consultation recently.

"This makes me really emotional because I am coming from very humble beginnings. Just a little girl in Spanish Town, from across the train line ... You can be anything you want to be, you can do anything you want to do and accomplish anything ... Don't let anyone put you in a box," Williams said before her voice cracked.

Born and aised in the Dallas Lane area in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in a single-parent home with her two sisters, Baby Tash is the first member of her family to attend university. The recording artiste recently graduated from The University of the West Indies (Mona), with a Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment and Cultural Enterprise Management (Major), and Integrated Marketing Communication and Psychology (Minor) degree.

Baby Tash fought hard to hold back the tears as she shared her story with students who gathered at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston for the JCDC. She credited the commission for setting the foundation for her personal and professional growth and encouraged the youths to get involved in the arts.

"Finding myself through JCDC competitions in high school, reignited my passion ... Through performances I gained confidence, strengthened determination, self-esteem and self-worth," Baby Tash said.

A confident lyricist, known for singles such as Mix Up, Facebook, Nah Sekkle Down and her feature on Mavado's Never Believe You remix, is a proud first generation graduate.