Jaime Luis Gomez, known professionally as Taboo, was born on July 14, 1975, in Los Angeles, California. He is an American rapper, singer, and actor.
Taboo is best known as a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas.
Who is Taboo Rapper?
Taboo built his career as a member of the Black Eyed Peas, one of the best-selling groups of the 2000s. He joined the group in 1995, helping shape its sound alongside will.i.am and apl.de.ap.
He has also built a career outside the group, including acting roles and a published memoir. Taboo has become known for surviving testicular cancer and advocating for cancer awareness.
His work spans music, film, and writing. Taboo continues to perform and create as part of the Black Eyed Peas today.
Early Life of Taboo Rapper
Taboo was born in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California. Both of his parents are of Mexican descent, and he also has Shoshone heritage through his grandmother.
He grew up in East Los Angeles, an environment he has described as shaped by gang culture and poverty. Taboo has credited his grandmother with helping guide him away from those pressures during his youth.
He attended Richard Garvey Intermediate School before graduating from Rosemead High School in 1993. He developed his interest in hip-hop and dance during those years in East LA.
Taboo Rapper Age
Taboo is 51 years old as of 2026, born on July 14, 1975. His zodiac sign is Cancer.
He has spent more than three decades in the music industry since joining the Black Eyed Peas in 1995. He marked his cancer remission years ago and has continued performing since.
Taboo Rapper Ethnicity and Nationality
Taboo holds American nationality and was born in Los Angeles. He is of Mexican descent through both of his parents.
He also carries Shoshone Native American heritage from his grandmother’s side of the family. Taboo has spoken about how that Native American background shaped his identity and his later advocacy work.
Taboo Rapper Height and Weight
Taboo stands at 5 feet 10 inches, or about 1.8 meters. His exact current weight is not publicly confirmed.
He has maintained a strong stage presence throughout his career as a performer and dancer. Taboo’s physical energy became a signature part of his role within the Black Eyed Peas.
Taboo Rapper Education
Taboo attended Richard Garvey Intermediate School before enrolling at Rosemead High School. He graduated from Rosemead High School with the class of 1993.
He did not pursue formal musical training beyond his early performing experience in East Los Angeles. Taboo instead built his skills through hands-on work in the local hip-hop and dance scene before joining the Black Eyed Peas.
Taboo Rapper Career
Taboo joined the Black Eyed Peas in 1995, replacing original member Dante Santiago in the group then known as Atban Klann. The group signed with Interscope Records and released their debut album, Behind the Front, in 1998.
Early Career
The group built early recognition for blending hip-hop with live instrumentation, setting them apart from other Los Angeles rap acts of the era. They followed with Bridging the Gap in 2000, continuing to build their sound before their commercial breakthrough.
In 2003, Fergie joined the group, and their album Elephunk pushed them toward international fame. Hits like Where Is the Love and Let’s Get It Started introduced the Black Eyed Peas to a much wider audience.
Breakthrough Albums
The group’s success continued through Monkey Business, Boom Boom Pow, and I Gotta Feeling, several of which achieved platinum certification in the United States. Taboo contributed his distinctive vocal style throughout these releases.
He released his self-titled debut solo album in 2008, working with artists including Shakira, Blu Cantrell, and Juanes. That project let him explore music outside the group’s collaborative songwriting process.
Recent Work
Taboo has continued performing and recording with the Black Eyed Peas in the years since Fergie’s departure from the group. The band has released newer collaborations with artists such as J Balvin, Shakira, and Ozuna.
He published his memoir, Fallin Up: My Story, in 2011, detailing his rise from East Los Angeles to international fame. He later wrote the third volume of the Marvel Comics series Werewolf by Night, working alongside Benjamin Jackendoff and Scot Eaton.
Taboo Rapper Filmography
He has appeared in several films and television projects throughout his career.
- Coach Carter
- Legally Blonde
- Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle
- Barbershop 2
- Cosmic Radio (2007)
- Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
- G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
Taboo Rapper Awards and Recognition
He won six Grammy Awards as a member of the Black Eyed Peas. The group’s hits, including Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling, helped drive several of those wins.
He also served as a judge on the MTV reality series Top Pop Group. That role added a television presence to his work as a performer.
Taboo Rapper Wife
Taboo married Jaymie Dizon in Pasadena, California, on July 12, 2008. Bandmates will.i.am and apl.de.ap served as groomsmen at the wedding.
The couple has two children together, and Taboo has a third child from a previous relationship. He has spoken openly about past struggles with addiction earlier in his life, along with the changes he made afterward.
Taboo Rapper Children
Taboo has three sons. His oldest, Joshua, was born in 1993 from a previous relationship.
He and Jaymie welcomed their first child together, Jimmy Jalen Gomez, on July 19, 2009. Their second child, Journey Gomez, was born on April 19, 2011.
Taboo Rapper Net Worth
Taboo’s estimated net worth is $15 million as of 2026. His income comes mainly from his music career, acting roles, and writing projects.
He built much of that wealth through more than two decades with the Black Eyed Peas. He has also earned income through his solo album, film appearances, and his published memoir.
Taboo Rapper Social Media
Taboo remains active across social platforms connected to his music career and advocacy work. He continues sharing updates related to the Black Eyed Peas and his cancer awareness efforts.
He has used his platform to discuss his health journey publicly. Taboo’s online presence reflects both his ongoing music career and his advocacy for cancer patients.
The Bottom Line
Taboo helped drive the Black Eyed Peas to six Grammy wins, including recognition tied to hits like Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling. He joined the group in 1995 and has remained a core member through its various lineup changes.
He grew up in East Los Angeles before graduating from Rosemead High School in 1993. Taboo later survived a stage 2 testicular cancer diagnosis in 2014, an experience that shaped his advocacy work.
He published his memoir Fallin Up in 2011 and later wrote for Marvel’s Werewolf by Night comic series. Taboo continues performing with the Black Eyed Peas while supporting cancer research efforts.
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