by Tony Hemrix

As part of the Désenchaînés festival, we had the opportunity to meet TiKey, founder of the group TiKey and Tao. With his diverse influences, artistic commitment, and vision for the future of Togolese music, he shares his journey and musical philosophy with us.

Eclectic Musical Influences

Your musical style is quite unique. What are your influences?

Strangely, everything inspires me! I listen to everything, even Indian music and Brazilian capoeira. Unlike the younger generation that follows modern trends, I have a deep connection with traditional Togolese music, from the south to the north of the country. I love the Agbadja rhythm—it’s incredibly rich when you listen closely.

Beyond traditional rhythms, which are the foundation of my music, I also draw inspiration from various genres: rock, blues, jazz, reggae, gospel (both traditional and modern). Some of the artists who have influenced me include TOOL, Metallica, Genesis, Rage Against the Machine, Stan Tohon, Sagbohan, and King Mensan.

My style, Tamprock (Tam-tam and Poetry on Rock), is rooted in a fusion of slam and rap, which form its backbone. I also listen to artists like Youssoupha, Kery James, Sarkodie, Eminem, and Tupac, who inspire my lyrics.

A Journey Between Theater and Music

How did you become a musician?

I have always been surrounded by music. My father listened to artists like Phil Collins, Madonna, Manu Dibango, and Grâce Decca, which left a strong impression on me. As a child, I would hum their songs and imitate them for fun.

Before getting into music, I was involved in theater and stand-up comedy throughout primary and secondary school. But in 2013, everything changed when I joined the Elanyo artistic and cultural association. During a residency, I discovered traditional singing, storytelling, and slam. That’s when I started writing my first lyrics and recorded my first single, “Akadi.”

From there, I continued recording songs in the studio, but my real dream was to perform live with musicians who shared my vision. In 2022, I met Sam (drummer), who introduced me to Koko (guitarist). Together, we formed TiKey and Tao and started performing at various festivals, such as MIA (Best African Instrumentalist) in Cotonou, Nkabom Festival in Ghana, and more recently in Agbodrafo.

A Music with a Message

What message do you want to convey through your music?

My message has always been about love, mutual respect, peace, education, and good governance. The themes that matter most to me are living together in harmony and freedom of expression.

I often say that my music is a form of gospel, I want to bring joy and comfort to broken souls. Every time I step on stage, my goal is to touch someone and have a positive impact on my audience.

A First Experience at the Désenchaînés Festival

What is your connection to the Désenchaînés festival?

I didn’t have a particular connection to this festival before this edition, but it was a great discovery for me and my musicians. It was an amazing opportunity to express ourselves on stage in front of an audience unfamiliar with our music. Our goal was to make an impression, catch the eye of industry professionals, and maybe even attract the interest of a promoter or talent scout.

The festival was very well organized and deserves to be supported by the authorities. We decided to participate because we wanted to establish our presence on the Togolese music scene and showcase our unique style. Our music combines African drums with recycled materials, such as oil cans and paint buckets, which we use as percussion instruments.

This approach aligns perfectly with the vision of the festival and its founder, Yao Bobby, who incorporates recycling into his visual art. We share the same philosophy: giving new life to discarded objects. Our goal is to prove that music can be created from almost nothing and still compete with modern instruments while producing great sound.

The Future of Togolese Music

How do you see the evolution of the Togolese music scene?

Togolese music has a lot of potential, but it needs more support from the authorities. Countries like Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso have understood the importance of culture for national development. We must follow their example.

The challenges are significant. We need to produce high-quality artistic work, take inspiration from what’s happening elsewhere, but at the same time preserve our cultural identity. Originality is essential to stand out rather than simply copying international trends.

There also needs to be better regulation of the music industry to prevent obscenity from dominating and to give real talent a chance rather than always promoting the same artists.

The Togolese music scene is progressing well, but we must continue to support artistic diversity and encourage innovative artists who honor our traditions while exploring new sounds.

With his unique style, Tamprock, and his innovative approach of mixing music with recycling, TiKey and Tao are emerging as a fresh and committed voice in the Togolese music landscape. Their participation in the Désenchaînés festival marks a new milestone in their journey, and their vision for the future of Togolese music highlights the crucial role of culture in national development.