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ELIK TARA GROUP
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I was born in Cameroon, in a world where balafons sounded like bursts of sunlight and church choirs rose to heaven like prayers in music.
I remember the wooden benches, the voices rising, the skin shivering, the feet tapping out the rhythm without realizing it.
It was then that I understood, without yet putting it into words, that music would be my truest language.
One day, life took me across the ocean.
Canada, the cold on the skin, courtrooms, verdicts falling like doors closing.
I was asked to be silent, to give up, to give in.
I wavered, yes. But deep inside, a small flame refused to go out.
So I made a choice: instead of closing myself off, I decided to open up my world.
To invite other voices, other hands, other breaths.
To transform an ordeal into a birth.
ELIK TARA GROUP
Born on February 6, 1960, in Otélé, Cameroon, Noah Ayi Aloys Claude, better known by his stage name Elik Tara, is a Canadian singer-songwriter of Cameroonian descent.
He began playing music at a very young age. At 8, he taught himself to play the balafon (an African xylophone) and occasionally accompanied the church choir in his village, Nkum Ékié, in Ngoumou, Cameroon. He arrived in France at the age of 10 and developed his musical curiosity: African music, reggae, rock, bossa nova, jazz, etc. Through various encounters, he created rehearsal studios in the Paris region, worked as a radio host, and participated in the exciting adventure of Studios Campus. With different groups, he toured France and Europe. In 1989, he produced the album "Eliktara (mbembe dzam)." Following a disagreement with the distributor, he stopped producing music and focused on event production: the Festival des Airs dans la Ville in Garges and the Scène & Voix festival in Picardy.
Since settling in Quebec in 2011, the joy of creating music has returned, and we are beginning to rediscover new compositions… listen to them on the Eliktaragroup YouTube channel…
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Beyond Appearances: What the song “Tika Aloba” teaches us about the art of listening and judgment
The Art of Transition: What the Poetry of “Gbe Soke” Teaches Us About Letting Go
The story behind the song: “Assia” or the polyphony of forgiveness
The story behind the song: When Jazz Fusion heals the wounds of the heart in “Aïe doudou”
Why Smooth Jazz blends so well with traditional Caribbean rhythms
How Fela Kuti and Manu Dibango redefined modern African music
The secret history of the fusion between Kompa, Zouk and Afrobeat
LFDT breaks the silence with “Enough”: A heartfelt cry against domestic violence
“Defend Innocence”: ELIK TARA GROUP’s powerful anthem to break the silence surrounding stolen childhoods
I’m still searching for the words: when everyday life changes without warning
Our languages, our roots: why we sing in multiple voices
On stage yesterday, creating today: ELIK TARA GROUP between concerts and the studio
Introducing ELIK TARA GROUP
A space to go beyond songs
Music that heals: these songs that bring us back to life
This article offers an in-depth look at the song “What have you done?”, a song that speaks of judgment, hasty condemnation… but also of doubt, truth and the possibility of change.
This article offers an in-depth look at the song dedicated to Ngoumou, a text that is not merely a description of a place, but a true declaration of love for a village that continues to beat in the heart, even as the miles accumulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
🎵 Questions about the music world & projects
When I look back on our journey, I naturally think of the exceptional contributions of virtuosos like pianists Thierry Vaton and Patrick Bebey , who bring a unique jazz elegance. But they are part of a whole where each note played by each of my musicians enhances our polyrhythms . We form a unit, a family, and these albums are as much theirs as mine . It is their combined energy that gives the project its strength.
The project is driven by a collective approach. The roots of the songs often lie in the personal and resilient story of our founder (originally from Cameroon and now living in Canada). The arrangements, lyrics, and sound textures are then sculpted in the studio with musicians from diverse backgrounds to create a true cultural polyphony.
As you can hear in songs like “Assia,” human suffering and the need for healing are universal. Singing in French, English, Arabic, Swahili, or Creole is our way of breaking down borders. For us, languages don’t separate; they are bridges.
Our music is a unique and sophisticated fusion. We blend the textured elegance of Smooth Jazz with the warmth, sensuality, and rhythmic power of African and Caribbean traditions ( Afrobeat, Zouk, Kompa ). It’s a transcultural dialogue designed to move bodies and soothe minds.
The project is driven by a collective approach. The roots of the songs often lie in the personal and resilient story of our founder (originally from Cameroon and now living in Canada). The arrangements, lyrics, and sound textures are then sculpted in the studio with musicians from diverse backgrounds to create a true cultural polyphony.
As you can hear in songs like “Assia,” human suffering and the need for healing are universal. Singing in French, English, Arabic, Swahili, or Creole is our way of breaking down borders. For us, languages don’t separate; they are bridges.
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📝 Questions about Engagement & the Blog
Discover Nothing But For You
Exclusive Music, Stories & Behind-the-Scenes Content
Welcome to the exclusive world of ELIK TARA GROUP. This special section is reserved for visitors of our official website, giving you access to unreleased songs, intimate interviews, exclusive previews of upcoming releases, and content you won't find on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, or anywhere else.
Experience the raw emotions, the creative process, and the untold stories behind our music. Every visit brings you closer to the heart of our artistic journey.
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