Tinashe Kachingwe

Tinashe Kachingwe is an American singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, dancer, actress, director, and former model. She was born on 6 February 1993 in Lexington, Kentucky, to a Zimbabwean father Michael and a Danish, Norwegian, and Irish descent mother Aimie Kachingwe. She and her family moved to Los Angeles, California when she was eight. Her entertainment career started at three. She attended Crescenta Valley High School for a year before pursuing a full-time career in music. At four, she began studying ballet, tap, and jazz dancing. She continued to compete in many styles as a part of a dance company until she was 18.

In 2007, she became part of an all-female group called ‘The Stunners’. Six months prior to its formation, the group signed with Columbia Records. They recorded a single that was to be used for the ‘iCarly’ soundtrack and it was never released. In 2009, the group deserted Columbia Records and signed another deal with Lionsgate Entertainment. On 18 March 2009, they released a single on iTunes called ‘Bubblegum’. In October, they released a 5-song EP. On 22 February 2010, they released a promo single ‘We Got It’. In 2010, they later signed to Universal Republic Records and released a single ‘Dancin’ Around the Truth’ on iTunes. The release was followed by a music video which premiered on 2 June 2010.

In 2011, the group disbanded and Tinashe went solo. On 3 May 2011, she gave her debut on-screen solo performance during the Dodgers—Cubs game where she sang ‘God Bless America’. On 24 June 2011, she released her debut solo music video. The video is a cover of Lil Wayne's single ‘How to Love’. On 12 September 2011, she featured on the dance single ‘Artificial People’ by OFM. On 25 November 2011, she released a music video titled ‘Can't Say No’.

In 2012, she released two mixtapes ‘In Case We Die’ and ‘Reverie’. On 26 November 2013, she released her third mixtape ‘Black Water’. This was followed by her debut solo album ‘Aquarius’ which was launched on 7 October 2014. On 16 March 2015, she released a seven-track mixtape titled ‘Amethyst’. ‘Amethyst’ was recorded in her bedroom during her Christmas vacation. It features productions from Ryan Hemsworth, Nez & Rio, Mae N. Maejor, Smash David Legacy and many others.

On 26 November 2013, she launched her third 13-track mixtape ‘Black Water’. In 2014, she worked on her debut studio album which was recorded in Los Angeles, London, Atlanta, New York, and Toronto. She worked with several producers, including Clams Casino, Ryan Hemsworth, Stuart Matthewman, DJ Mustard, T-Minus, Mike Will Made It, Boi-1da, Fisticuffs, Best Kept Secret, and Ritz Reynolds. On 13 January 2014, she released her first single from her debut album, ‘2 On’. The song was produced by DJ Mustard and features American rapper Schoolboy Q. In February 2015, she joined Ty Dolla $ign and Charli XCX on single ‘Drop That Kitty’. Later in May, she and Drake did a collaboration called ‘On a Wave’.