Born on January 16, 1982, Thara Natalie Prashad, musically known as Thara, is an American R&B singer/ songwriter/actress of Guyanese Heritage. Her father is Indo-Guyanese and her mother is part Irish and part African-American. While pursuing degrees in biology and acting at Fordham University, the sassy singer gave up her scholarship to pursue a music career. Thara impressed DJ Clue of Desert Storm Label with her audition and was offered a music contract in 2004.
Thara has worked with many in the R & B/hip hop industry including Rodney Jerkins, Joe Budden, Fat Man Scoop and music sensation John Legend. She can also be seen in countless music videos along side icons such as Jay-Z in “Excuse Me Miss,” Fabolous in “Make You Mine,” and Sean Paul’s “Ever Blazin.” In 2006, Desert Storm rapper Fabolous included Thara on the song “Ghetto”, produced by Scott Storch. “Ghetto” and the album Real Talk went on to sell over a million copies.
Thara has been the face in national TV commercials for Verizon, Reebok, Finish Line and American Eagle. Additionally, she has had minor roles in Guiding Light and One Life to Live – two daytime soaps – and has appeared in a Spike Lee special, Miracle”s Boys.
2007 was an amazing year for Thara. Her self-titled debut album “Thara” was released with her single and Video
“Jump On.” She also toured Japan with singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, and Germany and the States with now husband, Jay Sean. Thara hosted and performed at the Australian Urban Awards in Sydney, performed and hosted the Bollywood Awards in Atlantic city, and appeared in magazines such as Vibe, The Source, Asian Woman, Anohki, Ikanz and Luire, just to name a few. The same year, Thara was named best new Artist of the Year as voted by The South Asian Student Alliance, and she also wrote platinum selling singles for German Pop Idol “Monrose” and Canadian Idol”Eva Avilla.” She was also the first Asian Artist ever to have 3 songs played on NY Radio giant, Hot 97.
In October 2009 Thara tied the knot with the British born Jay Sean (real name Kamaljeet Singh Jhooti) in New Jersey in a traditional Indian ceremony. The pair first met in 2007 when they collaborated on the song ‘Murder’ and they later collaborated again to record a track titled ‘Love Goes’. Thara also appeared in her hubby’s music video for ‘Stay’ in 2008. In Sep 18, 2013 the happy couple announced that they’re expecting their first child together.
In a 2012 interview with Asian Woman Magazine, Thara share some advice for you girls – “Inspiring young girls to believe in the impossible has always been one of my main objectives in life. And if you are dreaming of the impossible, well, I have just one piece of advice and that is to work hard.” Today, the beautiful songstress, who also manages her hubby’s music career, is preparing for the arrival of their new baby.
To listen to Thara’s album, visit her website www.tharaonline.com
