It has been a while since the rise of a hardcore female dancehall artiste.

In a business ruled by their male counterparts, the women have been overshadowed.

One female artiste, however, wants to be the one that changes this, Tashon Williams, more popularly known as BabyTash.

The artiste has been working hard in the studio and wants to break away from the pack this year. Armed with new material and the drive to succeed, Baby Tash is optimistic that her time is coming.

"The time I spent in my previous job as entertainment co-ordinator has really helped to pave the way for me in my musical career, as I used the opportunity to get accustomed to performing in front of people," Baby Tash told THE STAR.

Great strides

The former Jonathon Grant High School headgirl and the oldest of three children for her mother, is now making great strides and is focused on where she wants to go.

"I have some songs that are out currently and some that I am recording. There is Pretty Dunce on Ward 21's Vulva rhythm and Hot Girls on the Belly Dance rhythm," she said.

In recent weeks, Baby Tash has been creating a stir, as she performed a counteraction for Mavado's Nuh Believe Yuh titled Now Him Believe Me. The song has been getting good airplay, according to the artiste.

"Since mi do the song and actually record it, I have been getting good feedback. I even heard it as someone's ringtone. The people dem love it," she said. "It felt really good performing. The reactions from the crowd when I performed it was overwhelming," she added.

Video of the year

Prior to this, Baby Tash released Mix Up, produced by Cordell 'Scatta' Burrell. The video was directed by Jay Will, and was nominated for the Hype TV Video of the Year Award. The single was also featured on BET's 'Wicked Styles'.

Baby Tash gained recognition last year when she won the first Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall talent competition alongside Singer Jah. Since then, she has been growing steadily as an artiste. Outside of the studio, she enjoys relaxing and writing songs.

Baby Tash is anticipating bigger and better things in the future and said she would not stop until she reaches her ultimate aim.

"I want to be a top act, performing all over the world, experiencing different cultures, but most of all, to be successful at whatever it is that I do," she said.