Princesse Erika - "Tant qu'il y aura"

Princess Erika

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Entrancing reggae songs about social and self-awareness.

Born in Paris of Camerounian descent, Princess Erika studied music as a young girl at conservatory. Early in life she gravitated toward reggae because she felt it was a connection to her country, which she had visited only once.

Her first taste of success came in 1988 with the song "Trop de Blah Blah". Since then she has also acted in films (including 1998's "Charité Biz'ness") and sung with other artists, most notably les Rita Mitsouko (the song "Ailleurs" on their live CD Acoustiques).

Although Tant Qu'Il Y Aura is her third album, it is the first to be released internationally. It is also the first time Princess Erika has worked with reggae superstars Sly and Robbie, and the result is magical.

The album is a varied and mystical group of songs, ranging in topic from romance to urban violence to the nature of art. Princess Erika's version of reggae is quite similar to Bob Marley’s, drawing on the personal, the spiritual and the political to paint lyrical pictures of the world around her.

To hear a sample

Tant Qu'Il Y Aura

Dans une Station

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Princess Erika
Tant qu'il y aura
Item#04886; $21.95. Songs: Onylee intro, Tant qu'il y aura, Nouvelle génération, Sister, Stop, Encore une histoire, Pussy klaat, Idée noire, Fardeau, Dans une station, Quel numéro, Quand je pense à lui, A bout de souffle, Onylee (donner, donner), Le poète. Lyrics included.

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Erika infuses her music with literary flair. Positivity and inspiration are at the heart of her message. In the title track Erika proclaims, "Tant qu'il y aura une braise miniscule / Il suffira d'un souffle pour que sa rallume," and on the song "Nouvelle Génération" she observes "La nouvelle génération de filles et de garçons / Recherche la solution pour la nouvelle nation."

The track "Sister" is a statement of unity among women of all backgrounds : "Hey regarde mes sisters de toutes les couleurs... Rien ne nous fait peur". Close to the end of the disc Erika delivers a wry commentary on snobbery with the song "Ego". She touches upon a lot of issues on this CD, from love ("Stop") to shattered youth (the very moving "Dans une Station") and religion (the jubilatory "Quand Je Pense à Lui").

Princess Erika is a tremendously talented woman with a strong connection to the world around her. She is a true artist, and Tant Qu'Il Y Aura is a collection of soulful and relevant songs that superbly conveys her power.