It's been nearly 20 years since the Disney hit show, Smart Guy, went off the air, but it's star, the oh-so-cute and loveable Tahj Mowry hasn't faded from the spotlight.
Besides acting on ABC Family's hit sitcom Baby Daddy, the actor is also a singer and dropped his first EP titled Future Funk in 2015.
He mixes the old with the new into a futuristic, body-popping explosion.
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Tahj Mowry was only 5 years old when he played Michelle Tanner’s friend Teddy on Full House and only 11 when he starred as child prodigy TJ Henderson in the WB series Smart Guy.
But the now 36-year-old younger brother to Hollywood twins Tia and Tamera has always loved music.
"I’ve always loved different styles of music. The older I’ve gotten the more I experiment with those, from alternative and electronic to even metal," he shares with Popdust over a phone call recently.
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"I enjoy it all. Music is, however, how the artist wants to interpret it. Yes, there are genres, but I’m all about bending those and making my own lane."
"So, I wanted to make my own sound, and that’s what came out of ‘Future Funk.’ I’ve always been a fan of Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. I took those inspirations and mixed them in with my favorite EDM and electronic music. Artists like James Blake and Janelle Monae inspire me, too. I’m all about being different and pushing the boundaries."
Unlike other child stars who have gone off to do drugs and have hard time coping with adulthood. Tahj stays grownded with his beliefs and spirituality.
"Growing up, our whole family had [the "What Would Jesus Do" bracelets] and it was one of those things I wore and decided I am not taking it off for a TV show. I love Jesus and so it was a good reminder for me as a kid, you know, What Would Jesus Do? And it became this cool thing for other people to see. But I just wore it because I’m a believer."
Now that he's grown, does he prefer music to acting?
“They’re so different and they both give me completely different artistic experiences. With my music, it’s more personal and it’s my true feelings. With acting, you’re pretending to be a character, which is also cool because you kind of get an escape from the real world. And now that I have singing I feel complete with both artistic outlets. And song writing really is like therapy.”
"I took a break from acting in 10th grade and I told myself I was just going to play football and I ended up getting a [full] football scholarship [to Savannah State University]," explain Mowry to Ebony.com. "I was [playing “Wade Load,” a character on the Disney animated series] ‘Kim Possible’ because it was easy, just voice over work. But I missed acting so much, so I figured I’d go back to entertainment."
"Picking the right roles [is another really important reason as to why I’ve been able to transition]. My mom taught me that as well. [Casting directors] may try to pigeon hole you into certain roles. You can’t say yes to every role and you have to make people miss you. I don’t want people to get sick of me. But I’ve been able to come and go [in the industry as I please] and it’s been a blessing, but I give all the credit to my parents for that."
But no matter what Tahj is doing, he always makes time for family.
"Our family is very tight. Just like any family we have our ups and downs but the love is always going to be there. I try to go to my parents’ house as much as I can. No matter how busy we are as a family we always make that time to have that ‘family together’ day because we want to. You can’t let work and life get in the way of spending time together."
