Jaime Luis Gómez (born July 14, 1975), better known as Taboo Nawasha, is an American musical performer who is best known as a member of the Black Eyed Peas.

Personal life

Taboo is of Mexican decent and is also part Shoshone. He was raised in Rosemead, California, and attended Muscatel Middle School. As a child, he aspired to be a philanthropist, and did not turn to music until his late teens.

Two days before his 33rd birthday, Taboo married Jaymie Dizon in Pasadena, California on July 12, 2008. will.i.am and apl.de.ap served as groomsmen. The couple is expecting their first child together in 2009. Taboo also has a son, Joshua who attends South Pasadena High School, from a previous relationship.

The artist plans to launch a non-profit arts school for children living in his hometown of Rosemead.

Music career

The Black Eyed Peas

He joined the Black Eyed Peas in 1995. Groupmates apl.de.ap and will.i.am were originally in a group called Atban Klann, but changed the name after changing record labels. In 2003, Stacy Ferguson joined and completed the band's current lineup. Taboo is known for his kung-fu-inspired dance moves (he is a practitioner of Jeet Kune Do and a black belt in Ninjitsu) and an eclectic style of dress. It is possible that his martial arts skills and ethnic background could have had a factor into him being cast as video game character Vega (whose character's fighting style and ethnicity somewhat match Taboo's) in the live-action movie Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li.

Solo work

As of 2008, Taboo is in the process of creating a solo album. Taboo has said that he hopes to collaborate with artists such as Frankie J, E-40, Pitbull, and Kumbia Kings.Shakira, Blu Cantrell and Juanes have been rumoured to be featured artists on his solo effort.

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.

Other collaborations

He has 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/bachata 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 Plaga" by Juanes.

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 Hanna, Ricardo Chavira, and other well-known actors. He played the character Vega in the 2009 film Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Taboo has also appeared as a judge on the reality show MTV's Top Pop Group.