Tanika Charles is a Canadian soul and R&B singer, who released her full-length debut album Soul Run in 2016."Tanika Charles on a Soul Run". Edmonton Journal, May 17, 2016.
Life and career Born in Toronto, Ontario and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Charles is a first generation Trinidadian Canadian.
She moved to Toronto, Ontario in the early 2000s after an opportunity to sing backing vocals for Bedouin Soundclash was offered."Heart and soul; Musician Tanika Charles gets personal". Ottawa Citizen, May 12, 2016. Since then, Tanika has performed as a backing vocalist for Johnny Reid, Serena Ryder, Emmanuel Jal, and many others. Tanika performed as a solo artist under the stage name Ms. Chawlz, before releasing her debut EP What! What? What!? in 2010."On The Run; Tanika Charles heads back to the Prairies with music that chronicles a personal journey". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, May 17, 2016.
She released "Soul Run", the title track from her full-length album, as a preview single in Fall 2015,Tanika Charles Gears Up for Her 'Soul Run,' Premieres "Two Steps". Exclaim!, April 13, 2016. and followed up with "Two Steps" in April 2016. Both singles were playlisted on CBC Radio 2, and charted on the Radio 2 Top 20. The full album was released on May 10, and was supported by her first extensive toured concert"Love comes, goes on Soul Run". Victoria Times-Colonist, May 19, 2016. and an advance appearance on CBC Radio One's Q."Tanika Charles covers Prince and takes centre stage with 'Soul Run'". Q, April 22, 2016. In June, the album was named to the longlist for the 2016 Polaris Music Prize,"Polaris Music Prize unveils long list of albums in Whitehorse". Edmonton Journal, June 15, 2016. and in 2017 it was shortlisted for the Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2017.
Charles has also appeared on television, both as a reoccurring guest on CBC Kids, and as a lounge singer on the Global drama series Bomb Girls. Her music has been featured on HBO Canada's Less Than Kind, CBC's Workin' Moms, Global's Rookie Blue, Citytv's Seed, and CTV's Saving Hope.
In 2019, Charles released her second album, The Gumption, on Record Kicks.
Discography
Albums Title Details Soul Run Released: May 10, 2016 (Canada) Released: April 7, 2017 (International) Label: Tanika Charles Music, Record Kicks Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming The Gumption Released: May 10, 2019 Label: Unique Applause, Record Kicks Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
EPs Title Details What?What!What?! Released: May 8, 2010 Label: Self-released Formats: Formats: CD, digital download, streaming
Singles Title Year Album “Silly Happy Wild” 2010 What?What!What?! “I Am Your Woman” 2012 What?What!What?! “Soul Run” 2015 Soul Run “Two Steps” 2016 Soul Run “Endless Chain” 2017 Soul Run “Love Fool” 2017 Soul Run “Love Overdue” 2019 The Gumption “Tell Me Something” 2019 The Gumption “Look At Us Now” 2019 The Gumption
Music videos Video Year Director I Am Your Woman 2012 Mark Valino Soul Run 2017 Taha Muharuma & Shanik Tanna Endless Chain 2017 Taha Muharuma & Shanik Tanna Two Steps 2018 Michael Warren Cadillac Moon 2019 Aline Helmcke Love Overdue 2019 V.T. Nayani Tell Me Something 2019 V.T. Nayani Look At Us Now 2019 V.T. Nayani
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominee/Work Result Ref2016Polaris Music PrizeSoul RunLonglist 2017 Juno Awards of 2017 R&B/Soul Recording of the Year Soul Run 2019Polaris Music PrizeThe GumptionLonglist
References
External links Tanika Charles at CBC Music