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Tanita TikaramPop star
Date of Birth: 12.08.1969
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Tanita Tikaram: A Biography of the British Pop Star
- Emerging as a Musician
- Musical Career
- Personal Life
- Tanita Tikaram Today
- Discography
Tanita Tikaram: A Biography of the British Pop Star
Childhood and AdolescenceTanita Tikaram's unusual name and surname became known in the music industry during the late 1980s when she released her studio album "Ancient Heart," featuring the hits "Good Tradition" and "Twist in My Sobriety." Despite her later works, which showcased her classically trained contralto voice, not achieving the same level of fame and popularity, Tikaram continued her solo career.
Born on August 12, 1969, in Münster, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Tikaram's biography began with her family moving to England, near Southampton in Hampshire, after a short period of residence in Germany. Growing up, Tikaram and her older brother Ramon faced pressure from children in their privileged community due to their exotic features inherited from their Indian-Fijian military father and Malaysian mother, Roani. They were often subjected to racial discrimination because of their eye shape and darker skin tone. At home, Tikaram's parents were busy with work and had little time to spend with their children, resulting in a lack of emotional connection and joy. As a result, Tikaram became a withdrawn girl, preferring music that resonated with her inner world. In her youth, she sang songs influenced by John Lennon, The Beatles, Karen Carpenter, and Leonard Cohen while playing the guitar she received as a Christmas gift from her siblings. Tikaram, however, was hesitant about her own melancholic and low voice, believing that she would instead write poetry.
Emerging as a Musician
Using the money she saved from working at a marketing company, Tikaram decided to make a short demo recording and send cassette tapes to prestigious places. Upon learning of this, her father informed her that if she did not secure a record deal within a year, she would have to give up her musical aspirations and attend the University of Manchester. While waiting for responses to her submissions, the 18-year-old occasionally performed in small London clubs. It was at one of these performances where she met her "guardian angel," Paul Charles, a talent scout seeking talented performers to collaborate with Warner Records, which had direct ties to the Hollywood film industry. Tikaram impressed the management and producers, and after several months of rehearsals, listeners were introduced to her debut single, "Good Tradition."
Musical Career
In 1988, Tikaram officially signed a contract with Warner Records and soon released her full-length studio album, "Ancient Heart," which unexpectedly became one of the most popular projects of the late 1980s. Critically acclaimed songs like "Cathedral Song," "World Outside Your Window," and "He Likes the Sun," accompanied by melancholic and unconventional music, propelled Tikaram to fame. The song "Twist in My Sobriety" became an instant hit. The album received gold and platinum certifications and topped the charts in four European countries after concerts held in 20 countries worldwide. Tikaram, who doubted her own talent, managed to unleash hidden potential through her music, conveying her inner emotions and profound philosophical views to listeners.
She received two nominations for the prestigious national award in the UK, and Tikaram continued her work in the studio, releasing three successful and high-quality albums. Although "Eleven Kinds of Loneliness" did not reach the same level of popularity and only had one single, "You Make the Whole World Cry," both "The Sweet Keeper" and "Everybody's Angel" made it into the British charts. The latter album gained additional recognition through songs like "Only the Ones We Love" and "Mud in Any Water," featuring the backing vocals of renowned American singer Jennifer Warnes, a close friend of Leonard Cohen, Tikaram's longtime idol.
Afterward, Tikaram took a break from her creative career to reassess her position and create new material. In 1995, she returned to the stage with a new studio album, "Lovers in the City," which received favorable reviews and achieved commercial success, unlike its three predecessors. However, Tikaram chose not to renew her expiring contract with Warner Records, concluding their collaboration with the release of the compilation album "The Best of Tanita Tikaram."
Her next album, "The Cappuccino Songs," was produced in collaboration with Italian composer and instrumentalist Marco Sabiu, known for his work with famous artists such as Christopher Lee, Kylie Minogue, and Take That. Despite the new electronic sound and the participation of numerous session musicians, the album reached the 69th position on the UK charts and did not produce any standout singles.
Disappointed by the album's underperformance, Tikaram took a hiatus from the music scene for several years, avoiding interviews with media outlets and music channels. It was not until 2005 that she broke her silence and released the synth-pop album "Sentimental" from a French recording studio. Although the album did not achieve commercial success, the ballad "Don't Let the Cold," recorded as a duet with new-wave vocalist Nick Lowe, left Tikaram satisfied with her work and motivated her to release another electronic album. However, difficulties with the studio and producers delayed the album's release until 2012.
The album, titled "Can't Go Back," which aimed to embody Tikaram's new worldview, was a collaboration with her long-time acquaintance, guitarist Mark Creswell. It was released in a limited edition with acoustic versions of Tikaram's most popular songs. "Can't Go Back" received a silver certification from the Independent Music Companies Association and was showcased during concerts in several European capitals, including a major solo performance at Moscow's Crocus City Hall in April 2013.
Tikaram found herself categorized among performers whose songs and music videos were only understood by a select group of listeners. Embracing this unofficial status, she turned her focus to blues genres and released her ninth studio album, "Closer to the People," featuring her own black-and-white photograph on the cover.
Personal Life
For three decades, Tikaram made a concerted effort to keep her romantic relationships and personal details out of the public eye. However, inquisitive journalists seeking information ranging from her height and weight to her love life eventually discovered her home in North London and spread information about her unmarried status and relationship with artist Natasha Horn.
Tanita Tikaram Today
Unlike many foreign artists, Tanita Tikaram no longer pursues the fame of a popular pop star and prefers to perform for audiences who genuinely love her songs. She has opted out of participating in festivals and prestigious events, instead choosing to perform in small concert halls and clubs. Her official website features a tour schedule for 2019, primarily consisting of performances in Austria, Sweden, and Germany during the mid-autumn season.
Discography
1988 – "Ancient Heart"
1990 – "The Sweet Keeper"
1991 – "Everybody's Angel"
1992 – "Eleven Kinds of Loneliness"
1995 – "Lovers in the City"
1998 – "The Cappuccino Songs"
2005 – "Sentimental"
2012 – "Can't Go Back"
2016 – "Closer to the People"
