Dancehall artiste earns UWI degree - Baby Tash re-energised after completing university

Baby Tash, the first queen crowned in the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition, is now the proud holder of a university degree from The University of the West Indies (UWI).

The entertainer, whose given name is Tashon Williams, walked across the stage during last Saturday's graduation ceremony at Mona and collected her Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment and Cultural Enterprise Management (Major), and Integrated Marketing Communication and Psychology (Minor) degree.

"It feels amazing," she said of her UWI conquering feat.

"Coming from an inner-city community and a family where education either ended at high school, or where some persons never even graduated, this is huge, not just for me, but for everyone," Baby Tash told THE STAR.

Baby Tash emerged winner of the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall in 2008 and later recorded her first song, Mix Up, with Skatta Burrell. A year later, she went on to create controversy with another track titled Facebook, which climbed the charts in North America.

The dynamic entertainer revealed that she, at times, "hate hearing" that she was the first winner of the popular dancehall competition as it "is a reminder of how long ago that was, and the pressure I have felt to be a winner".

The entertainer, who goes by the mantra, 'Don't wait on things to happen for you, make them happen', deliberately stayed off the radar in order to ensure her personal and professional growth. Completing her degree was one of the things that she placed high on her priority list.

"In the music industry we all have our personal challenges, and sometimes we get disheartened, but I've learnt that when you find something that you really want to do, and that you are passionate about, it will always keep tapping on your shoulder. You just have to be determined to get it done," Baby Tash said.

She continued: "I can now say I have stimulated my brain and I am re-energised to take on the road ahead."

Baby Tash, who continued her musical pursuits even as she read for her first degree, said she is putting the final touches to some of her projects before their release.

"I'm not ready to share what the projects are about or give too much detail but persons can look out for more from me musically," she said.

Baby Tash is also known for songs such as First Night, Nah Sekkle Down, Nah Bleach, No Diss From Nuh Bwoy, Champion Bubble and Party Time.