Taboo (rapper)

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title: "Taboo (rapper)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["american-hip-hop-singers", "rappers-from-los-angeles", "west-coast-hip-hop-musicians", "black-eyed-peas-members", "1975-births", "living-people", "american-rappers-of-mexican-descent", "american-male-actors-of-mexican-descent", "american-musicians-of-mexican-descent", "grammy-award-winners-for-rap-music", "hispanic-and-latino-american-rappers", "marvel-comics-writers", "people-from-boyle-heights,-los-angeles", "musicians-from-los-angeles-county,-california", "21st-century-american-rappers", "people-from-rosemead,-california", "male-actors-from-los-angeles"] description: "American rapper (born 1975)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo_(rapper)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American rapper (born 1975) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist "]

Field	Value
background	person
name	Taboo
image	Jaime Luis Gomez AKA Taboo.jpg
caption	Taboo in 2016
birth_name	Jaime Luis Gomez
alias	Taboo Nawasha
Jim Louis Angryfoot
birth_date
birth_place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
genre	{{flatlist
occupation	{{flatlist
years_active	1995–present
label	Nawasha Networks
current_member_of	{{flatlist
::

| background = person | name = Taboo | image = Jaime Luis Gomez AKA Taboo.jpg | caption = Taboo in 2016 | birth_name = Jaime Luis Gomez | alias = Taboo Nawasha Jim Louis Angryfoot | birth_date = | birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | genre = {{flatlist|

• Hip hop
• electro
• alternative hip hop | occupation = {{flatlist|
• Rapper
• musician
• songwriter
• actor
• DJ}} | years_active = 1995–present | label = Nawasha Networks | current_member_of = {{flatlist|
• Black Eyed Peas Jaime Luis Gomez (born July 14, 1975), known professionally as Taboo or Taboo Nawasha, is an American rapper, musician and actor. He is best known as a member of the musical group Black Eyed Peas.

Early life

Jaime Luis Gomez was born in Los Angeles. His parents were both from Mexico. He attended Rosemead High School (class of 1993), and was educated at Richard Garvey Intermediate School. He also has Shoshone heritage from his grandmother.

Music career

Since 1995: The Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas date back to 1988, when eighth-graders William Adams (will.i.am) and Allan Pineda (apl.de.ap) met and began rapping and performing together around Los Angeles. The pair signed to Ruthless Records (run by Eazy-E) in 1992, catching the attention of Eazy-E’s manager, Jerry Heller's nephew. Along with another friend of theirs, Dante Santiago, they called their band Atban Klann (ATBAN: A Tribe Beyond a Nation). Will 1X (aka will.i.am), apl.de.ap, Mookie Mook, DJ Motiv8 (aka Monroe Walker) and Dante Santiago formed Atban Klann. Their debut album, Grass Roots, was never released because Ruthless founder Eazy-E had died.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Black_Eyed_Peas_2.jpg" caption="Taboo (second from right) with the Black Eyed Peas signing autographs before a concert at [[East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania]] in 2004"] ::

After Eazy-E died in 1995, Atban Klann reformed and changed their name to Black Eyed Pods, and then Black Eyed Peas. Dante Santiago was replaced with Jaime Gomez (Taboo), and Kim Hill became a steady background singer. Unlike many hip hop acts, they chose to perform with a live band and adopted a musical and clothing style that differed wildly from the gangsta rap sounds of Los Angeles–based hip hop acts at the time. Taboo is known primarily for his guttural spoken reprises of the last few words of a sung lyric, as well as emphatic flourishes between vocal parts. After being signed to Interscope Records and releasing their debut, Behind the Front (1998) the group (and their accompanying live band) earned critical acclaim. One of the singles from the album was "Joints & Jam", and was featured on the Bulworth soundtrack. Their second album was Bridging the Gap (2000), which had the single "Request + Line" featuring Macy Gray.

In 2003, Fergie became the fourth member of the group and the group gained international fame, having won six Grammy Awards and sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide. They released their third album Elephunk, with the hit singles "Where Is the Love?" and "Shut Up". Their 2005 album Monkey Business was a worldwide success, being certified 4× Platinum in the US, and spawning the singles, "My Humps" and "Don't Phunk with My Heart".

In 2009, the group became one of only 12 artists to have simultaneously held the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Billboard Hot 100, with their singles "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling", with the next single "Meet Me Halfway" achieving similar success, from the album The E.N.D. These three singles topped the chart for an unprecedented 30 consecutive weeks in 2009. The album later produced a third Hot 100 number-one placement with "Imma Be", making the group one of few to ever place three number one singles on the chart from the same album before being followed with "Rock That Body" which peaked in the Top 10 of Hot 100. "I Gotta Feeling" became the first single to sell more than 1 million downloads in the United Kingdom.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Black_Eyed_Peas_at_Walmart_meeting.jpg" caption="The Black Eyed Peas in 2011"] ::

The Black Eyed Peas were ranked 12th on the Billboards Decade-End Chart Artist of the Decade, and 7th in the Hot 100 Artists of the Decade. In November 2010, they released the album The Beginning. The first single of the album was "The Time (Dirty Bit)" and topped the charts in many countries. In February 2011, the group performed at the Super Bowl XLV halftime show. The album's second single was "Just Can't Get Enough" and was released in February 2011. The music video was filmed in Japan one week before the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The third single "Don't Stop the Party" was released in May 2011. In July 2011 the group announced they were taking a break.

Solo work (since 2008)

In 2008, Taboo was in the process of creating a solo album; however, in a 2011 interview, Taboo said it would be some time before he would begin a solo album. Sie7e was also confirmed to have composed at least three of the Album's songs. "Revolution Ni Hao" can be heard on his official website.

Music he has co-written and performed has been featured on many movie soundtracks, including Coach Carter, Legally Blonde, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, and Barbershop 2: Back in Business.

In May 2014, Taboo released his solo single, "Zumbao", which is "all about having fun[...]being infected by positive energy." The music video for the song features a handful of YouTube talent including DeStorm Power, STRSkillSchool, freestyle footballer Séan Garnier, Mandy Jiroux, and Megan Batoon.

In November 2016, Taboo released the single "The Fight" about his successful battle against testicular cancer. The track was made in partnership with the American Cancer Society, for which Taboo is a global ambassador. The ACS will receive all funds generated by the song. On the song, Taboo said "I'm so proud to release The Fight because it's truly an anthem of survivorship. I want to use this song and my story to inspire and motivate people all over the world to live their best, healthiest lives possible."

Other collaborations

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Flickr_-moses_namkung-_Black_Eyed_Peas_3.jpg" caption="Outside Lands]] 2009"] ::

Taboo collaborated in the past with Ryan Key of Yellowcard on the song "Gotta Get It Now". He also collaborated with race rapper David Rolas for the song "Morena", and rapper Fudge Dog on the song "Get It". In late 2007, Taboo also collaborated with merengue star Juan Luis Guerra on a remix of his hit song "La Llave de Mi Corazón". In addition, he created a remix to the song "La Paga" by Juanes. Taboo worked with George Pajon Jr. and Andy Vargas to perform the Obama song "Yes We Can" (Si Se Puede). He performed together with Juanes, in the kick-off concert of South Africa Worldcup 2010, singing La Paga. He is on Paulina Rubio's Brava album adding vocals for the song "Hoy Me Toca A Mi", which he also co-wrote.

Other work

Acting

Taboo's first acting role was in the film Dirty with Wyclef Jean, playing the part of Ramírez. He then appeared in the 2007 independent film Cosmic Radio, which also stars Michael Madsen, Wes Studi, Irene Bedard, Daryl Hannah, Ricardo Chavira, and other well-known actors. He played the character Vega in the 2009 film Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Taboo appeared as a judge on the reality show MTV's Top Pop Group. He also had a cameo in Blue's Big City Adventure.

Writing

Taboo later collaborated with Benjamin Jackendoff and Scot Eaton to write the third volume of the Marvel Comics series Werewolf by Night.

In 2021, Taboo, who identifies as Native American and Mexican, authored a children's book called A Kids Book About Identity, stating that he "had a long journey of educating myself and learning about both of my cultures, both being rooted in an Indigenous ancestry of course."

In February 2022, it was announced that Taboo and B.Earl would write a miniseries entitled Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man, which sees Spider-Man going to Los Angeles and facing off against the Demon Bear. The series debuted in October 2022 and was illustrated by Juan Ferreyra.

Personal life

Taboo married Jaymie Dizon in Pasadena, California, on July 12, 2008, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, two days before his 33rd birthday. will.i.am and apl.de.ap served as groomsmen. The couple had their first child in 2009 and their second in 2011. He has another son from a previous relationship, Joshua, who was born October 13, 1993. He also has a daughter named Juliana.

His autobiography, Fallin' Up: My Story, co-authored with Steve Dennis, was released in February 2011.

Bibliography

• 2011: with Steve Dennis

Discography

::data[format=table title="Solo releases"]

Title	Year	Album	"Zumbao"	"East LA" (with will.i.am)
2014	rowspan="2"
2025
::

Filmography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Taboo_at_esu_concert.JPG" caption="Taboo performing at The Black Eyed Peas concert at [[East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania]] in 2004"] ::

::data[format=table]

Year	Production	Role	Notes
2005	Be Cool	Himself	With The Black Eyed Peas
Dirty	Ramirez	—
2006	Instant Def	Zap	—
2007	Cosmic Radio	Marcus	—
2009	Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li	Vega	—
Queen of the South	?	—
2012	What to Expect When You're Expecting	Cameo as Judge
2013	This Is So Great!!	Himself	—
2014	Toy Hunter	Himself	—
2014	Jamesy Boy	Guilliermo	-
2017	Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World	Himself	—
2022	Blue's Big City Adventure	Himself	—
2023	Spirit Rangers	Waqaq	—
Episode: "Deuces, Gooses/Frog Concert Chaos"
2024	Dora	Quickatoo	—
::

References

References

1. Skateintheday. (March 31, 2012). "The Black Eyed Peas Classic Clip You're Watching 411VM".
2. (November 16, 2016). "Inside The Black Eyed Peas Star Taboo's Private Health Crisis: How He Beat Cancer Out of the Public Eye". [[People (magazine).
3. (July 12, 2008). "Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas Weds". [[People (magazine).
4. "The Bakersfield You've Always Wanted!". Bakotopia.com.
5. Taboo. (February 8, 2011). "Fallin' Up: My Story". Touchstone.
6. Cristina Verán. (April 13, 2004). "Rap, Rage, REDvolution – Page 1 – News – New York". Village Voice.
7. (October 1, 2007). "Black Eyed Peas hold benefit concert". USA Today.
8. "Taboo finds his stand-in native roots".
9. Kellman, Andy. "The Black Eyed Peas". Allmusic.
10. (June 21, 2010). "Black Eyed Peas set downloads record". BBC News.
11. [http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b2968_marriage_not_taboo_black_eyed_peas.html Marriage Not a Taboo For Black Eyed Peas Rapper] E! In the year 2010 Taboo remarried fashionista Vanessa Luera, a year later both Vanessa and Taboo had a baby boy name jayden he was born in October 12, 2011, they live a very happy life with no regrets with taboos past history. Taboo says " I live a very happy life with my wife Vanessa Luera and all my children i have three in total all three from different relationships.Online, July 13, 2009
12. (12 March 2011). "Exclusive: Taboo Talks Future Solo Project, Sound Of Next Black Eyed Peas Album". JohnJohnSaidIt.com.
13. "Tabmagnificent". Tabmagnificent.
14. [http://www.latina.com/music/black-eyed-peas-taboo-talks-zumbao Latina – The Black Eyed Peas' Taboo Talks 'Zumbao']
15. Taboo. (June 3, 2014). "Taboo – Zumbao (Official Video)".
16. (November 16, 2016). "Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas Reveals Recent Testicular Cancer Battle, Releases The Fight to Support the American Cancer Society". [[PR Newswire]].
17. (November 3, 2008). "Obama Song – Yes We Can/Si Se Puede (Live)". YouTube.
18. "Taboo Talks Street Fighter". [[IGN]].
19. Sayre, Will. (2023-03-30). "Exclusive: Taboo Dishes on His Fun Cameo in Blue's Big City Adventure".
20. (July 21, 2020). "Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and Benjamin Jackendoff Introduce a New Werewolf By Night". [[Marvel Comics]].
21. (September 21, 2021). "Taboo is Releasing an Empowering Kids Book About Identity".
22. (2022-02-24). "Exclusive: Peter Parker battles Demon Bear in series reveal for Marvel's 'Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man'".
23. "Taboo Nawasha on Instagram: "Happy 12th birthday to my son and mini twin (Journey Gomez) 🥁🎹🎭🫶🏼 #loveyouson - Also happy Born day to anyone celebrating today like our brother @morbros 👊🏼"".
24. https://twitter.com/TabBep/status/2897511232573440 "Missing my oldest son Joshua Gomez right now he is next in line to shake up the Dj world Dj J-1der B home soon son"
25. [http://www.usmagazine.com/news/black-eyed-peas-taboo-wife-expecting Black Eyed Peas' Taboo and Wife Expecting First Child] {{Webarchive. link. (February 8, 2009 US Magazine, February 7, 2009)
26. taboo. ["Dipdive] taboo " Blog " BABY JALEN FINALLY IS HERE". Dipdive.com.
27. (12 June 2016). "TABOO: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW". ChannelZero.
28. "Black Eyed Peas Rapper Taboo On Testicular Cancer Symptoms Masking As A Broken Tailbone And Welcoming 'Miracle Baby' After Chemo". SurvivorNet, Inc..
29. (July 18, 2025). "will.i.am On Showing Off "East LA" Roots With Taboo in New Single Music You Should Know".
30. Joey Clift. (May 3, 2023). "Spirit Rangers Season 2 comes out May 8th and we just announced a bunch of our voice cast!! It was so fun working with all of these Native and Indigenous superstars and I can't wait for ya'll to hear them in the new episodes! #SpiritRangers".
31. "Paramount+".

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