More than three decades after introducing tsapiky to the mainstream, Tirike announces the upcoming release of Siloke, a seventh album that continues the story of his emblematic track Vinanto.
After over thirty years in the music industry, Tirike continues to champion tsapiky. The Malagasy artist is currently finalizing vocal recordings for his seventh album, Siloke, set for release soon. "Siloke means 'sick' in the language of the South. I love using Malagasy vocabulary specific to our region, with words many people don't know," he explains.
Comprising ten tracks, the album primarily explores themes of love. It notably continues the story of Vinanto, the song that marked his career thirty-four years ago. "This album is the sequel to Vinanto, the story of a man who lost his wife and confides in his in-laws," Tirike says.
Born in Ampanihy as Enomeany Augustin Tirike, the artist grew up immersed in Southern culture, a constant source of inspiration for his compositions. Self-taught and never formally trained in music, he composes by playing all instruments himself before entrusting arrangements to collaborators. "As long as I can sing, I will sing. As long as I can create, I will create," he affirms.
Before dedicating himself to music, Tirike was a footballer who competed in the national championship during his youth. He also dreamed of writing a book about social realities in his region but ultimately chose to focus entirely on music.
His career took a decisive turn in the early 1990s. After his first recording in 1990, his group—created while he was still a student under the name Etiaugeno's Group—presented a demo to Studio Mars. Initially rejected, it was eventually accepted due to its originality and cultural richness. The cassette featuring the track Anao Zay achieved massive success in 1991. The group performed its first concert in 1993 at Zaza Club before conquering Antananarivo during a show at Antsahamanitra on November 7, 1994, a pivotal date in his career.
As a pioneer of tsapiky on major stages, Tirike subsequently helped promote this musical genre at national and international festivals. A finalist in the RFI Discovery competition in 1996, where he received the Instrumental Prize, he also contributed to recognizing tsapiky as intangible cultural heritage. "We helped make this music known far beyond the South through our participation in numerous international festivals," he emphasizes.
Based abroad since the 2000s, Tirike uses each visit to Madagascar to record in studio, tour, and reconnect with his audience.
With fifteen members, the Tirike group includes several guitarists, a pianist, a drummer, backing vocalists, and dancers, offering a complete stage formation that defines tsapiky's identity. This week, he was among the headliners at Famadihana d'Imady, where he is regularly an honored guest.
Beyond his music career, Tirike directs the Atimo Teako platform, which assists the most vulnerable populations in the Grand South. The association conducts fundraising to improve access to clean water and support struggling families. "Music is my profession, but I never forget my region and those who need help," he concludes.