He grew up in the shadow of a funk legend, spent years building his own music career quietly, and in June 2026 landed back in headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Most people searching “Tazman James” today are doing so because of breaking news, not because of his rap album. This article covers both sides: who he actually is, and what is happening with him right now.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Legal Name | Tazman Johnson |
| Commonly Searched As | Tazman James |
| Date of Birth | May 1992 |
| Age | 34 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Father | Rick James (James Ambrose Johnson Jr.) |
| Mother | Tanya Hijazi (actress, costume designer) |
| Stage Name | Chasecarter |
| Debut Album | Objectify Me (2021, 14 tracks) |
| Genre | Underground rap / hip-hop |
| Current Status | Los Angeles County Jail (as of June 2026) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $300,000–$500,000 (unconfirmed) |
Who Is Tazman James?
Tazman James is the commonly used name for Tazman Johnson, the son of late funk legend Rick James and actress and costume designer Tanya Hijazi. He is an underground rapper who performs under the stage name Chasecarter.
He is not to be confused with Taz James, a music producer and mixing engineer based in Trivandrum, India. These are two completely different people. Most search traffic for the name in 2026 is about Tazman Johnson, Rick James’s son.
Early Life and Family Background
Tazman was born in May 1992 in the United States. He is the only child of Rick James and Tanya Hijazi. His parents were not married when he was born.
Growing up meant navigating an unusual household. His father was one of the biggest names in American funk music. His mother had her own career in film and costume design. The family was surrounded by music, celebrity culture, and genuine turbulence.
His Parents’ Complicated Story
Rick James and Tanya Hijazi had a relationship marked by both creativity and serious legal problems. Between 1990 and 1992, both were arrested in connection with assaults involving two women. Hijazi pleaded guilty to an assault charge and served approximately 15 months in prison.
After their respective legal cases, the two married in 1996 and divorced in 2002. Tazman was raised in Atlanta with his mother while his father remained in Los Angeles. He spent the early part of his life largely away from the Hollywood spotlight, even with a famous father.
Losing His Father at 12
Rick James died on August 6, 2004. Tazman was 12 years old. Toxicology reports found nine different drugs in his system, among them methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax, and Valium.
Tazman was 12 when he lost his father, and he spent most of his adult life trying to build something separate from that legacy. That separation is a thread that runs through everything he has done since.
His Father: Rick James
To understand Tazman’s story, you need some context about who Rick James was. This matters because Tazman has spent his whole adult life being defined by that relationship, whether he wanted to be or not.
Rick James, born James Ambrose Johnson Jr. on February 1, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, was a defining figure in American funk and R&B. His biggest hit, “Super Freak,” was released in 1981 and became a cornerstone of the genre.
Key facts about Rick James:
- He produced records for Motown and worked with Teena Marie, The Temptations, and Eddie Murphy
- MC Hammer sampled “Super Freak” for “U Can’t Touch This” in 1990; James later won a Grammy for the songwriting credit
- He struggled with severe drug addiction in his later years
- He was convicted in 1993 of kidnapping and assaulting two women while under the influence of crack cocaine
- He served time at Folsom State Prison and was released on parole in 1996
- He died at 56 from pulmonary and cardiac failure
His estate has been managed by his daughter Tyenza “Ty” James since his death in 2004.
Tazman’s Siblings
Tazman is the only child of Rick James and Tanya Hijazi. But he has three half-siblings through his father’s other relationships:
- Tyenza “Ty” James — manages Rick James’s estate
- Rick James Jr. — from Rick’s marriage to Syville Morgan
- Trey Hardesty James — Rick’s son from another relationship
Ricardo Mathews, another son of Rick James through a different relationship, is currently serving time in Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, California, having been sentenced for a series of charges that included assault with a deadly weapon.
Music Career: Building His Own Path
Tazman Johnson chose rap, not funk. That was deliberate. He operates under the stage name Chasecarter in the underground rap scene, and he has been intentional about not riding his father’s name to get attention.
He is not a mainstream artist. His reach is limited to underground hip-hop circles, and most of his public profile comes from his family connection rather than from streams or chart positions.
Debut Album: Objectify Me
Tazman released his debut album, Objectify Me, in 2021, a 14-track project in which he attempted to establish himself as a rapper with his own lyrical voice and emotional depth, separate from the towering shadow of his father’s legacy.
The album includes tracks like “Hot Boy Glock Boy,” “Love Street,” and “RIP Taz James.” Those titles alone tell you something about where his head was at. He was processing his identity, not cashing in on a famous surname.
He had been described by people who followed his work as deliberate about separating himself from the Rick James brand. Tazman rarely brought up his father in music or interviews. That choice reflects a specific kind of discipline for someone who could have leaned heavily on that connection.
Stage Name and Creative Identity
He performs as Chasecarter, not as Tazman James or anything that directly signals Rick James lineage. That stage name is not widely known outside underground rap circles. His releases are modest in commercial terms, but they reflect real creative work, not a vanity project.
His estimated net worth sits between $300,000 and $500,000, based on his music career. That figure is unconfirmed and should be treated as a rough estimate, not a hard number.
2026 Legal Case: What Actually Happened
This is why most people are searching for Tazman James in 2026. The timeline matters, so here it is clearly.
The Arrest Timeline
- March 2024 — Tazman was first arrested on suspicion of fentanyl possession in Los Angeles
- He was charged with two misdemeanor counts: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia
- He was released from custody on bond
- He missed a court date shortly after
- A judge issued a bench warrant for $10,000
- April 29, 2026 — Tazman was arrested on a felony warrant and no-bail warrant
- He was booked into Los Angeles County Jail
- He pleaded not guilty to both drug charges
Current Charges
As of June 2026, Tazman Johnson faces:
- Felony drug charges involving fentanyl
- Misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance
- Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia
- A separate burglary charge connected to a 2019 arrest
He has pleaded not guilty to the drug counts. The outlet did not report a conviction, plea deal, or sentencing in the drug case. The case is still active.
His Status Inside Jail
Sources close to Johnson told TMZ that he is participating in a program while in jail and focusing on his music career. The specific program was not identified in public reporting.
His mother, Tanya Hijazi, has spoken about her son’s background. She said at the time of an earlier sentencing that her son had suffered from depression as an adult, started using drugs, and repeatedly found trouble, though she insisted he had never been affiliated with gangs.
Family Legacy and What It Means
The parallels between Tazman’s situation and his father’s history are hard to ignore. Rick James spent years battling addiction and eventually died from its effects. His other son, Ricardo Mathews, is currently incarcerated. Now Tazman is in jail too.
None of that means his fate is sealed. A not-guilty plea is not a conviction. People recover from serious legal trouble. But the pattern in this family is real, and it is part of the public record.
What makes Tazman’s story different from his father’s is that he actively tried to avoid that path. He built a music career without using his father’s name. He kept a low profile for years. The fact that he ended up in headlines for drug charges anyway is a complicated thing to sit with.
Net Worth and Finances
Tazman Johnson’s finances are not publicly documented in any reliable way. He is an underground rapper, not a mainstream artist, so there are no public streaming numbers or contract disclosures.
Estimates across biography sites range from $300,000 to $500,000. These numbers are based on general assumptions about independent music careers, not actual financial data. Treat them as rough ballpark figures.
He does not appear to have inherited significant wealth from Rick James. The estate has been managed by his half-sister Tyenza, and the details of any inheritance are not public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tazman James?
Tazman James is the commonly used name for Tazman Johnson, the son of late funk legend Rick James and actress Tanya Hijazi.
Why is Tazman Johnson in jail in 2026?
He is in Los Angeles County Jail facing felony drug charges involving fentanyl, plus a burglary charge from a 2019 arrest.
What music has Tazman James released?
He released his debut album Objectify Me in December 2021 under the stage name Chasecarter. It is a 14-track underground rap project.
Is Tazman James the same as Taz James the producer?
No. Taz James is a producer and mixing engineer based in Trivandrum, India. Tazman Johnson is an American rapper and Rick James’s son. They are two different people.
What is Tazman Johnson’s current legal status?
He pleaded not guilty to the drug possession and paraphernalia charges as of mid-2026. The case remains active.
Conclusion
Tazman Johnson spent years doing the hard work of building an identity that was not just “Rick James’s son,” and in 2026 the circumstances of his life pulled him back into headlines anyway.
His story is one of a person genuinely trying to carve his own path in music while carrying a family history that is heavy by any measure. The legal case is still open, and what comes next is not yet written.
