Tommy Cash (rapper)

Tomas Tammemets (born 18 November 1991), better known by his stage name Tommy Cash (sometimes stylised as TOMM¥ €A$H), is an Estonian rapper, singer, producer and visual artist. He is known for raunchy lyrical themes and provocative music videos.

Early life and education
Cash was born Tomas Tammemets in Tallinn, Estonia. He is reportedly of mixed ethnic Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian and Kazakh ancestry. Cash has described himself as Estonian first and foremost, then "Eastern European in his soul", and "Scandinavian in a CV". Cash was raised in the working-class Kopli subdistrict of Tallinn.

In his youth, Cash was reportedly a graffiti artist. He has said that his drug use led him to be "ejected" from schooling. He never graduated from secondary school, despite sitting for exams, and later took up painting and dancing instead of formal education.

In the dance scene, Cash is a known freestyle dancer with a very distinct style, using elements of popping, krumping, and breakdancing.

2012–2014: Beginnings and early releases
In 2012, Tomas released several songs on SoundCloud including "Dusk", "Oldkool" and "Toxic". Tommy Cash's first live performance was at Peterson сafe in Tallinn, on December 7, 2012. In 2013, "Oldkool", has been used in ads video for "Sport LX" fashion collection by Liisa Orgna, for Erki fashion show. On July 13, 2013, Tommy performed at the "Patarei Kultuuritolm 2013" art and music festival in Tallinn. Siim Nestor on Eesti Express remarked, "with his nasal voice and androgynous he looked more like a cartoon hero than the serious self-assertive macho rapper we are used to see".

On July 31, 2013, Tommy Cash released "Deep Purp" on Soundcloud. His collaboration with Justicious and ba., "MTWAH" and "Kongo Jungle", featurnig TV Maskava, were included on Baltic Trail Compilation (2013), which was released in August 2013. On September 26, 2013, Tommy released his first music video, "Guez Whoz Bak", directed by Janar Aronija. On October 9, 2013, Tommy performed "Guez Whoz Bak" on ETV morning show. In December 6, 2013, he performed at the "Żubroffka" International Short Film Festival in Białystok, Poland.

On January 3, 2014, Tomas performed at the 2013 Radio 2 Awards (R2 Aastahitt 2013), where he also was awarded for "Guez Whoz Bak". On March 24, 2014, Tommy premiered "Alien Tears", and performed song, titled "No Afterparty Without You", on ETV. Next day, "Alien Tears" was released as a single from his upcoming expended play (EP). On July 8, 2014, Tommy Cash released C.R.E.A.M. EP (2014), which consisted tracks were previously released.

2014–2017: Euroz Dollaz Yeniz, Winaloto music video, and collaborating with Charli XCX
On September 29, 2014, Tommy released music video, "Euroz Dollaz Yeniz", the first single from his upcoming studio album. On November 1, 2014, Cash’s first studio album, Euroz Dollaz Yeniz (2014), was released digitally for free download via his official website. In January 2015, after the loss in two nominees (for Music Video of the Year and Hip Hop/Rap album of the Year for "Euroz Dollaz Yeniz" ) on 2015 Estonian Music Awards, Tammemets wrote in his Instagram post: "Suck my balls Estonian Music Awards".

Tommy was featured on Adi L Hasla’s single "Flipperi" with Aito Mäkki, from his first studio album, Habiturientti, accompanied by its music video, released on January 24, 2015. In 2015, he also released "Prorapsuperstar" and "Leave Me Alone" music videos. On September 9, 2015, Tomas collaborated with Russian rave band Little Big on the song "Give Me Your Money", with an accompanying music video and web series, titled "American Russians", consisted of 6 episodes released from September 9, 2015, to October 14, 2015 on YouTube. Cash appeared on the song "Volkswagen Passat" from DJ Oguretz's debut album, Power, on October 5, 2015.

In July 2016, Tomas uploaded the new trap-pop single, titled "Winaloto", to Soundcloud; an accompanying music video was directed by Cash himself, and premiered two weeks later on July 19. MAXIM noted, "it's a flesh-filled orgy not for the faint of heart, but if you're game to get a little weird, definitely watch it". Owen Myers of Dazed reported, "the video […] pairs intricate choreography with deliberate gross-out moments". "The VFX work is playfully done and the performances of the cast members are in places downright cool", wrote Luke Bather of Promonews UK. "Unsettlingly visceral video, it remains the gold standard for the Tommy Cash ethos", reported Highsnobiety.

In August 2016, Tomas performed as a special guest at the President Toomas Hendrik Ilves’s meeting with Ben Horowitz at the Kadriorg palace. On October 11, 2016, Tommy uploaded two new songs, "Orange Soda" and "Escalade" to Soundcloud. In October 2016, A Color show premiered Cash's performance of "Winaloto". As of July 2024, it has received over 16 million views on YouTube.

In January 2017, Tommy Cash represented Estonia in the Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, the Netherlands. On January 26, 2017, he won the Estonian Music Award for Music Video of the Year for "Winaloto". On March 16, 2017, Tommy released the music video for "Surf", produced by Anna-Liza Himma and directed by Cash himself. On July 8, 2017, Tommy performed on the biggest music festival in Estonia, Õllesummer. In July 2017, Cash made a cameo appearance on Charli XCX’s "Boys" music video.

The new single, titled "Rawr", was released on September 26, 2017. A week later, Tommy released the official remix featuring Joji. The following month, Tomas collaborated with Russian electronic music duo IC3PEAK on their song "Cry". On December 15, Cash featured on Charli XCX's "Delicious" from her mixtape, Pop 2 (2017). He also featured on the remix of "Out Of My Head" by Charli XCX, featuring A. G. Cook, Hannah Diamond, Dorian Electra and Mykki Blanco, which was released on December 18, 2017.

2018–2020: Breakthrough with Pussy Money Weed and Little Molly, ¥€$, and touring with Oliver Tree
On January 25, 2018, at the 20th Estonian Music Awards, "Surf" won the award for Music Video of the Year.

In the beginning 2018, Cash released a single titled "Pussy Money Weed", alongside the music video. HighClouds Belgium reported, "it will give you a hell of a shock!". Vanessa Feder of Unrated Media wrote, "a dance-heavy music video that truly highlights the limitlessness of humankind". "A hymn to diversity", noted Giulia Pacciardi of Collater.Al Italy.

On April 2, at the 2018 Estonian Film and Television Awards, Tommy performed with the new song, called "Little Molly". On May 30, 2018, he released "Little Molly" as a new single, alongside the music video, directed by Anna Himma and Tommy Cash. Charlotte Gunn of NME wrote, "it’s very Aphex Twin but altogether more alarming". "Irreverent and ridiculous, [...] music video for 'Little Molly' is a surreal acid trip meets cheesy photo shoot", noted Purple Sneakers Australia, and Dazed named a video "super unnerving". As of July 2024, "Pussy Money Weed", and "Little Molly" music videos have received over 15, and 17 million views on YouTube, relatively.

On October 5, 2018, Tommy collaborated with Little Big to release "Follow Me", from Little Big's fourth studio album Antipositive, Pt. 2. It marked the second collaboration between Little Big and Tommy Cash following their 2015 single "Give Me Your Money".

In November 2018, Cash released a single titled "X-Ray", along with the music video, which was set as the lead single from his second studio album. On November 30, 2018, Cash released his second album, ¥€$ (2018), to positive reviews from Clash and Paper. The album features vocal performances from MC Bin Laden, Charli XCX, Rick Owens, and Caroline Polachek, as well as production from Danny L Harle, A. G. Cook, Amnesia Scanner, and Boys Noize. The concert tour, launched in support of his second studio album, ¥€$, was announced in December 2018. The tour encompassed 33 shows and visited 17 countries in total. Charli XCX joined Tommy to perform their songs, "Cool 3D World" and "Delicious", during the his concert in Tallinn, on December 29, 2018.

During Tomorrowland 2019, Tommy Cash joined by Bosnian-Swedish DJ Salvatore Ganacci and performed "Heartbass" for the first time, then performed "X-Ray". Also in 2019, Cash toured as a special guest at Oliver Tree's concerts on the Goodbye, Farewell Tour, alongside NVDES in over 20 shows in the US and Canada. In December 2019, Tommy released "Sdubid" music video.

On January 30, 2020, Cash unveiled his first official tour in the United States, starting on March 22. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was rescheduled for 2022. In July 2020, Cash and Hannah Diamond appeared in a remix of 100 gecs’s song "xXXi_wud_nvrstøp_ÜXXx". Same year, Cash also appeared in the music video for "S*ck My D*ck 2020" by Little Big.

2021–2023: Moneysutra EP and the World Tour around the North America, Europe and Australia
On April 2, 2021, Tommy released the single, titled "Zuccenberg", in collaboration with $uicideboy$ and Diplo, and announced that the new EP would be released in the next week. A five-song Moneysutra EP (2021) was released on April 9, 2021, with guest appearances from $uicideboy$, Diplo, Riff Raff, Bones and Eldzhey. On 29 April, was also released a music video for "Racked".

During summer 2021, Tomas was featured in several singles. In July 2021, Cash released a song collaboration with Polish rapper Quebonafide, called "Benz-Dealer", along with a music video, with the guest appearance of an international heavyweight boxing champion Mariusz Wach. Cash was also featured on Boys Noize's track "Nude". In September 2021, Tommy collaborated with American singer Oliver Tree and Little Big on the "Turn It Up", from their collaborative "Welcome to the Internet" EP, which was later released on September 30, 2021. The track was accompanied with a music video. The following month, he was the featured part in umru’s "check1", the lead single from the Estonian-American producer's first studio album, Comfort Noise (2022), along with a music video.

In December 2021, new tour dates with additional venues in North America and Europe were scheduled and officially announced. The Biggest and Strongest World Tour (2022), began on February 10, 2022, in San Francisco, USA, and was originally to have 19 shows in North America and 28 shows in Europe, ending on May 6, 2022, in Tallinn, Estonia. On April 14, 2022, the three Australian dates were confirmed. The show in Perth was added later. March 2022 saw the release of Tommy's collaboration with Kazakh record producer Imanbek, bass-heavy trap track "Baby Shock", which also featured Lost Capital and OhGeesy. On 30 August, 2022, on Facebook, he announced the Autobahn Tour (2022), consisting of ten dates across Germany and Poland. In September 2022, Tammemets also appeared on the cover of King Kong magazine, featured with South Korean-born artist and rapper MLMA. The following month, Estonian rapper attended as a special guest alongside Anna Wintour, John Galliano, Riccardo Tisci and Demna at Kanye West’s YZYSZN9 show that was held in Paris, France. The Amerika 2 Tour (2022), consisted ten shows in the US and Canada, was rescheduled due visa issuses.

In May 2023, Tomas was part of Riff Raff’s single, featured Salvatore Ganacci, titled "Ferrari". During Käärijä's concert of August 19, 2023, at Olympiastadion in Helsinki, Tommy joined him on stage and performed "It's Crazy It's Party" for the first time. The music video for the song was released on September 15, 2023. In Fall 2023, Tommy joined to the Oliver Tree's Alone in a Crowd World Tour (2023-24).

2024–present: the new music era and upcoming studio album
In January 2024, Cash released his first single of 2024, "Tango", featuring canadian rapper bbno$, along with a music video. Tommy Cash was featured on a new collaboration with Salvatore Ganacci titled "Ass & Titties", released on July 12. It is the third collaboration between Tommy Cash and Salvatore Ganacci, who had worked together on "Heartbass" in 2019 and "Ferrari" in 2023. On July 17, 2024, a video for the song was released on Ganacci's YouTube channel. The story and concept of the new music video was created by Cash himself.

Fashion Week Stunts
Tommy Cash hit the front rows of the fashion show during Fashion Weeks in Paris, and Milan, with his performance art, since 2022. "He is a visual feast sitting front row at fashion shows", wrote Enfnts Terribles magazine. Jake Gilbert of Highsnobiety magazine wrote, "The artist and musician is a perpetual outsider all-star, forever dominating the fashion week discourse with some of the most insane outfits you've ever seen in public". His first performance was at the Rick Owen s' fashion show on June 23, 2022, during Paris Fashion Week Men's 2022. That time Tomas wore a nude thong attended, overgrown wig and fake toenails. Late, he exercised in the middle of an Amiri catwalk, and became a baby, complete with a person pushing his stroller at the Marine Serre's show. In Fall 2022, Tommy was seen knitting at the Loewe Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show, carried a human backpack during the Rick Owens' parade, and cosplayed a paparazzi at the Balenciaga runway show in Milan.

On February 22, 2023, at the Diesel Fall/Winter 2023/24 show in Milan, Tammemets dressed as a cleaning lady ("babushka") with a bucket and a mop in hand. During Paris Fashion Week 2023, Tommy dressed as Anna Wintour at the special event by Isamaya Lips. On March 2, 2023, for the Paco Rabanne fashion show, Cash filled his face with piercings. Next day, rapper wore a prosthetic vagina and claded in tight "Sue Me" tanktop at Rick Owens' fashion show. Jake Silbert of Highsnobiety magazine noted, "his masterpiece is (fortunately?) too realistic to be allowed in Instagram or Tik Tok videos". On March 7, 2023, Tommy Cash arrived half-asleep, wearing a pristine bedspread and several pillows on his back, at the Y/Project fashion show. In slippers and blue pajamas, he took his seat front row alongside with American rapper Tyga and Canadian singer Avril Lavigne.

In June 2023, Tomas dressed as a contemporary version of French mime artist Marcel Marceau, promoting the new collaboration "Crocs x MSCHF", during the Rick Owens' runway show in Paris. Alexandre Marain of Vogue France, described that outfit as "somewhat creepy". At Marine Serre's Spring 2024 show, Tommy appeared wearing a Cousin Itt-style head-to-toe blonde hair suit. Then Cash attended the Jean Paul Gaultier xJulien Dossena haute couture show in a nude muscular suit. Also he went to the Doublet show dressed as a dining table replete with sea food, glasses and candles. Later, Highsnobiety magazine wrote, "One might say that Cash came to serve". In July 2023, Steff Yotka of Ssence wrote, "But what about Tommy Cash’s brazen costume play, which some regarded as Insta fodder, but to me seems like the mark of a true fashion freak in the best sense".

In Fall 2023, at Diesel’s Spring/Summer 2024 show in Milan, Cash arrived to the event dressed as a homeless person. Elliot Hoste of Dazed, opined: "Cash’s homeless cosplay wasn’t clever, it was dumb and offensive". According to Cash himself, he didn’t wear the outfit to cause a stir, he wanted to raise awareness". In the front row of the Boss 2023 fashion show, Tommy Cash dressed in an ultra technological features outfit that inspired by a cyborg-human Inspector Gadget.

On January 25, 2024, Tommy appeared carrying a sky-high stack of designer boxes and shopping bags at the Maison Margiela Artisanal Couture Spring 2024 show. As part of Paris Fashion Week 2024, at the Vetements Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024/25 show, he dressed in a inflatable latex outfit, created by Indian designer Harri, and cosplayed as a treasure hunter with the metal detector at Enfants Riches Déprimés fashion show on March 3, 2024.

Artwork
Tomas works in different mediums, including music, video, photo installation, sculpture, painting, ready-made and merchandise. In 2019, Tammemets had an exhibition, titled "The Pure and the Damned", at Kumu art museum in Tallinn, Estonia. Collaborating with Rick Owens, he exhibited his own sperm, portrait with a pregnant stomach, and the first iteration of bread based slippers, designed with the blessing of the fashion house Maison Margiela, among other artefacts. In September 2020, Cash's artworks were presented at the Cosmoscow international fair in Moscow, Russia.

In 2022, Tommy Cash presented a solo show with Temnikova & Kasela gallery at Paris Internationale, France. The booth was set up as a tribute to a Russian cartoon, Cheburashka, that had nuclear clouds billowing out from its ears, titled "Nukerashka". In May 2024, Cash’s project "Nukerashka" was presented at "Rayon Jouets" exhibition at Hangar Y in Meudon, France.

Design
Early in his career, Tomas made clear his interest in fashion and desire to work in the clothing design industry. Regarding this, he said, "It’s amazing to do different stuff while we’re also working on music. At the end of the day, when you have something physical, it’s different. It’s like an art piece almost…". In 2018, Cash released a clothing line that subversively imitates American styles with European elements and in-jokes. Rick Owens has teamed up with Tammemets for a limited-edition hoodie collaboration, in late 2019.

Loafa, the bread-shaped sofa (2021)
In the beginning of 2021, Tommy Cash has put out feelers for a collaboration with IKEA, presenting the bread-shaped sofa paired with a carpet designed by canadian artist Gab Bois. Called "Loafa", it’s basically their interpretation of Mario Bellini’ s 1970's Camaleonda sofa with brioche buns. "IKEA told me if we get 10,000 comments under this post they will release the Loafa…coming to your nearest IKEA söön", said Cash in Instagram. Lately, IKEA representative confirmed that there has been no official collaboration with the rapper, and they also do not see the project as feasible.

Adidas the world’s longest sneakers (2021)
In 2021, Tommy Cash has teamed up with sportswear brand Adidas to create the world’s longest sneakers. The metre-long shoes — one white, one black — are a one-off model designed at the request of the artist. "When I said to adidas that I want to make the longest shoe in the world as our collab, they were like, Wtf, Tommy. But five months later here we are," the rapper wrote on Instagram. Brad Nash of GQ Australia, stating: "Tommy Cash's adidas collab is the best, most ridiculous sh*t we've seen all year", Daniel Rogers of Dazed opined: "Now, if we’re talking COVID restrictions, these sneakers have surely got every social distancing regulation covered. Unfortunately though, us peasants will have to continue to rub up against each other as this gargantuan pair is a one-off, made solely for Cash". Although the extra-long Superstars are a bespoke piece, the rapper's collaboration with Adidas also spawned a more wearable pair of mismatched trainers – one black, one white and both normally sized. A limited number of this pared-back version, which features Tommy's signature laser-engraved on the heel and a yin and yang print on the insole, was made available to the public via a raffle.

Tommy Cash x Maison Margiela (2021)
In March 2021, Estonian rapper released a capsule collection in collaboration with the fashion house Maison Margiela. А co-branded merchandise line consists bread-based slippers, a parcel of vacuum-packed noodles with the "Tommy Cash x Maison Margiela" logo stamped on it. Liana Satenstein of Vogue, described the collection as "the weirdest merch yet". There was more conventional items in the drop, like a co-branded black hoodie, a striped sweater, a t-shirt. He also released a track to accompany the drop "Mute (by Maison Margiela)", which is three minutes and 30 seconds of pure silence.

Kappa x Tommy Cash (2022)
In November 2022, Tommy announced his first fashion venture with Italian sportswear brand Kappa. The capsule collection, co-designed by Cash, consisted of 10 pieces across knitwear, tailoring and outerwear, along with shoes, including an oversized suit, double layered tops, branded loafers, and an especially unique leather mask. Ambrose Leung of Hypebeast, described the collection as "for kink lovers and fashionistas".

Endorsements
In 2018, Cash featured in the LHV Pank commercial. In 2020, Tommy was the face of Adidas for "Superstar – change is a team sport" campaign, also co-starring Russian influencers, musicians and athletes. In April 2023, Tommy Cash had become a part of Marine Serre's campaign for its underwear collection, Borderline, also co-starring Sevdaliza. Late, Tomas appeared in advertisements for Diesel, was photographed by Marili Andre. Also he appeared in campaign video for American brand Brigade, promoted the Big Sock sleeping bag. The same year Estonian rapper appeared in "Join The Flip Side with Tommy Cash" campaign for the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, along with a pop-up concert in Tallinn, on September 13, 2023. In 2023, Tommy appeared in the PTV Group and Deutsche Bahn’s "Mobility is a Human Ride" video campaign.

Modelling
In June 2018, Tomas made his runway modelling debut at the Rick Owens Menswear Spring 2019 show at Paris Fashion Week. In March 2022, Cash walks the runway at Marine Serre's Fall/Winter 2022/23 show at Paris Fashion Week. On June 17, 2023, Tommy Cash walked the runway in two looks at Jordanluca's Spring/Summer 2024 show in Milan, Italy.

Public image


Tommy Cash has been described by the media as a person, who is known for his cheeky, often surreal infusion of post-Soviet aesthetic in his music and style. Crack magazine named him an "Estonian rap sensation". "Cash is a provocateur", noted Eesti Elu. NME reported, "he knows how to do is make fucking weird music videos" and Billboard named him a "new king weirdo". "Defining his sound is difficult, mainly because he has veered wildly from trap to bass to hi-NRG eurodance", noted The Guardian. In 2018, he debuted on the Dazed 100, claiming eighth place.

As of 2024, Cash appeared in Vogue, GQ, Harper's Bazaar (Russia), Schön!, Paper magazine, Crack magazine, Glamcult, Dazed, Greatest magazine, etc. He has landed his on the cover of several magazines such as Esquire (Czech Republic), Metal, Office Magazine, Antidote (France), and NME.

Studio albums

 * Euroz Dollaz Yeniz (2014)
 * ¥€$ (2018)

Extended plays

 * C.R.E.A.M. (2014)
 * Moneysutra (2021)

Compilation albums

 * Baltic Trail Compilation (2013)

Singles
As lead artist As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album name
 * "Give Me Your Money" – Little Big featuring Tommy Cash, from Funeral Rave (2016)
 * "Apel" – Kinder Malo, Pimp Flaco featuring Tommy Cash, non-album single (2016)
 * "Cry" – IC3PEAK featuring Tommy Cash, non-album single (2017)
 * "Piece By Piece" – Audio Opera featuring Project Pat, Antwon, Tommy Cash, and Rich Boy, from Isolation Room EP (2017)
 * "Who" – Modeselektor featuring Tommy Cash, from Who Else (2019)
 * "Forever In My Debt" – Borgore featuring Tommy Cash, from The Art of Glory (2019)
 * "Nude" – Boys Noize featuring Tommy Cash, from Nude / Xpress Yourself EP (2021), +/- (2021) 
 * "Turn It Up" – Oliver Tree and Little Big featuring Tommy Cash, from Welcome To The Internet EP (2021)
 * "check1" – umru featuring Tommy Cash and 645AR, from Comfort Noise (2022)
 * "Ferrari" – Riff Raff, Tommy Cash featuring Salvatore Ganacci, non-album single (2022)
 * "It's Crazy, It's Party" – Käärijä featuring Tommy Cash, non-album single (2023)
 * "CA$H READY" – Mata featuring Tommy Cash & JELEEL!, from CBW Mixtape 2 (2024)
 * "Ass & Titties" – Salvatore Ganacci featuring Tommy Cash, non-album single (2024)

Other collaborations
List of songs were never officially released as a single
 * "Exodus" – Yeezuz2020 featuring Tommy Cash, from Exodus (2015)
 * "Volkswagen Passat" – DJ Oguretz featuring Tommy Cash, from Power (2015)
 * "Delicious" – Charli XCX featuring Tommy Cash, from Pop 2 (2017)
 * "Follow Me" – Little Big featuring Tommy Cash, from Antipositive, Pt. 2 (2018)
 * "Impec" – Lorenzo featuring Tommy Cash and Vladimir Cauchemar, from Sex In The City (2019)
 * "Click" – Charli XCX featuring Kim Petras and Tommy Cash, from Charli (2019)
 * "Heartbass" – Salvatore Ganacci featuring Tommy Cash, from Boycycle EP (2020)
 * "xXXi_wud_nvrstøp_ÜXXx (Remix)" – 100 gecs featuring Tommy Cash and Hannah Diamond, from 1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues (2020)
 * "Alright" – A. G. Cook featuring Tommy Cash, from 7G (2020)
 * "Whisk It Up" - Yung Gravy & Dillon Francis featuring Tommy Cash, from Cake and Cognac EP (2022)

Music videos
As lead artist As featured artist Guest appearances