In Senegal, Tapha grew up in a griot family, part of a centuries-old West African tradition of musical storytellers and keepers of oral history. He started making music at a young age, trained with musical masters across West Africa, and went on to work as a percussionist for Senegal’s national ballet.

Tapha was scouted in Amsterdam after moving to the Netherlands to live with his Dutch partner. Since then, he has worked for brands such as Filling Pieces, Frank Claus and Clan de Banlieue, walked for Camiel Fortgens, and appeared in publications including ModMod and Jane Magazine. He has a genuine love for fashion and brings a playful energy to set. His humble yet confident demeanour, combined with his striking presence, makes him hard to overlook.

Alongside modelling, Tapha teaches music to children at schools and refugee centres and performs with theatre groups such as Untold, which focuses on traditional African heritage. In his free time, you’ll often find him doing tricks on his rollerblades or taking long walks with his dog.