Toronto Mike'd: The Official Toronto Mike Podcast - Tanika Charles: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1943

Episode Date: August 4, 2026

In this 1943rd episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike chats with Juno Award and Polaris Prize-nominated singer Tanika Charles about Parkdale, her big break with Soul Run, her imposter syndrome and why she's still making beautiful music.A version of this podcast without programmatic ads is available to all Toronto Mike'd Patrons at patreon.com/torontomike.Toronto Mike'd, an award-winning podcast, is proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery, Palma Pasta, Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball, Ridley Funeral Home, Nick Ainis, and RecycleMyElectronics.ca.If you would like to support the show, we do have partner opportunities available. Please email Toronto Mike at [e-mail]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello, everyone. My name is Tanika Taros. I have a debilitating fear of Shag rug. And I'm incredibly excited for my debut at Toronto Might. There's no Shag-Kirpidine in the Toronto Mike studio. You're safe here. It's a safe space for Tanika Charles. Shag. I just think of Austin Powers when you say Shag. Like Shag-a-Luscious, baby. Welcome to Episode 1,943 of Toronto Mike. An award-winning podcast, proudly brought to you by Great Lakes Brewery. Order online at Great Lakesbeer.com for free local home delivery in the GTA. Palma Pasta

Enjoy the taste of fresh homemade Italian pasta and entrees from Palma Pasta in Mississauga and Oakville. Visit palma pasta.com for more. Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball. Catch a game at Christy Pits this summer. No ticket required. Fusion Corp's own Nick Aienies. He's the host of Building Toronto Skyline. And Mike and Nick, two podcasts that you ought to listen to.

Recycle MyElectronics.C.A. Committing to our planet's future means properly recycling our electronics of the past. and Ridley Funeral Home, pillars of the community since 1921. Joining me today, making her Toronto mic debut, it's Juno Award nominee Tanika Charles. Hello, Tanika. Hello.

Tell me about the shag carpeting fear. Like, when did you realize you're not a fan of shag carpeting? The thing is, I don't know where this fear came from, but my younger brother is also just as afraid of it. Yes, and certain colored towels. Okay, well, I have no idea where to go with this different colored towels, but I can guess that if you ever, as a young person, now you're very young, like I'm surprised you even encountered shag carpeting, because this is like a 70s thing.

You weren't around in the 70s. I can do math. But, Tanika, like, what if there were little pieces of Lego hiding in the shag carpeting, and you'd be barefoot walking on the carpeting, and then you'd hit Lego that you couldn't see because it was hiding in the shag carpeting. Yes, that means the carpet's dirty. Hasn't been cleaned and there lies the fear. Yeah.

So in addition to the Lego, who knows what else is lurking there? There could be insects. Who knows? Dust mites. Let's not even think about it. But I think it's a healthy fear you have. Right. I actually left a tour.

I was in South Africa. Yes. And the friend whose house we stayed at, his entire place, Brown Shag. Okay. I lasted a day. Okay.

So you went back in a time machine to the 1970s. Yeah, I don't blame you. That's, come on. There's a reason. I think it's just, I think now it is, I think it through. It's unhealthy.

Like, you can't, there's no vacuum powerful enough to clean a shag carpeting so that the dust mites and everything gets clean. So I think you're fear, I don't know what to say

about the colored towels. Like that's just go see a therapist I know it's true Listen this is cheaper than therapy I'm going to talk you through all this okay Thank you I'm going to drop a name on you And you're going to tell me you've never heard this name

But I'm going to do it anyways Because I want to just tell everybody what I did last night And then we're going to get into it Because you've had such a great career And I got some songs loaded up And I got questions But have you ever heard of the name Samoa Joe So no I haven't

Okay okay So yesterday night I was on college at the Royal Theater because Samoa Joe was there. He was, is, I don't know if he's active actually, but he's a professional wrestler. And he was the focus of a dark side of the ring episode directed by FOTM Hall of Famer Stu Stone.

So we saw the episode at the theater. And then there was a Q&A with Samoa Joe. And even though I'm not, I haven't followed wrestling since the mid to late 80s. I loved this episode of Dark Side of the Ring. And I love this match I never heard of. And I know these names will mean absolutely nothing, but Samoa Joe and Necro Butcher.

What a name. This guy's something else. So I had a great time. So I just want to say thanks to Stu for the ticket. And just let the listenership know. Stu Stone, director of that episode, in the basement Thursday afternoon. So these are names you're like,

who's Stu Stone, who's Samoa Joe, who's Necro butcher? You have no idea where you are, Tanika. But here we go. All right. Here's where I want to go with you. I got the songs loaded up. But I just want to get this right. You're raised in Edmonton?

I was raised in Edmonton. Born here, family moved out there, work for sure. And as soon as I could, I moved away. Okay. How soon was that? Like how old was that? How old are you when you leave Alberta and come back to Toronto? I'm 17.

That's very young. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of life happened out there and I was ready to step away. Okay. And you were very, very young, I suppose, when you moved out there with the family. Yes, baby.

Okay. So born in Toronto, I guess the family moves to Alberta for work. And at 17, you're like, I'm going back to the big smoke. Done. But I didn't go to the big smoke. Okay, where did you go? I went to Vancouver. Oh, okay.

How was that? Yes. It was like formative years, I believe. It was incredible. I met a lot of fantastic people out there. That is where I was told that maybe I should be a singer because that was not something that was on my mind. When did you get the bug?

It was a friend that heard me humming around the house, an ex-boyfriend actually. And he's like, why don't you try? And I'm like, why would I do that? You know, you hear about a career in music isn't profitable in any way. Like, you can't live like this. And then I, I don't know. Perhaps that was just maybe the route that I was supposed to go.

Formed a little group with a couple of friends and we did it as a pastime. And then it just became real. So wait, this happens in Vancouver? Yeah. Okay. So in Vancouver, your boyfriend's like, you got a sweet voice. And then you sort of, oh, you didn't really consider it, but then you put together a little group. You start singing.

Yeah. So how long are you in Vancouver for? Oh, I see what you're trying to do here, trying to add up how old I am, eh? I see. I was there for seven years. That's a long. Okay, so my goodness gracious. I thought it was sort of like a Toronto to Edmonton back to Toronto thing.

But no, you're spending seven years in Vancouver. It was, so born Toronto, Edmonton, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, Toronto back to Edmonton. Oh. And then back to Toronto. Okay, why? We're going to get into the music, obviously, but I need to know about Canadian geography. And it just so happens as we speak, two of my children are in Edmonton right now. Hey.

Apparently a lot of mosquitoes there. The worst. But 15 times more than usual due to some kind of a ridiculously rainy July. Yeah. Or something. You've heard this. It's really madhouse there. But why the return to Edmonton?

So I think when I'd moved to Toronto the first time, it wasn't my time to move. Life is very interesting because it leads you on these paths. And I don't think that was the path that I was supposed to take because I moved there for a boy. And I've heard this story before, Toneka. Yeah. So I'm like, this is the worst year. I didn't know a lot of people. And I moved back to Edmonton.

Or a boy. Oh, yeah. No, I was like, I'm going to get my life right and figure out what I need to do with myself. And, oh, sorry, I missed a, I actually went back to Vancouver. Okay. So again, we're going to get to the music. But Toronto, you're born. Okay.

Edmonton for work, I guess your father's working or somebody in the family's working out in Edmonton. You're too young to be working out there. So you're there. 17 years old, you go to Vancouver. Yeah. But then you come back to Toronto. But then you go back to Vancouver or Edmonton? I went back to Edmonton.

Back to Edmonton. Yes. And then you go to Vancouver before coming back here. That's right. Okay. You know what? I got to write this down, Tina. You really should.

I've had such an interesting life. Such an interesting life. And I know that I move often because growing up, we moved a lot. So I just, it was easy for me. Well, okay, so I'm curious about, so you're in Vancouver when you realize I can sing. So that's seven years. That's a substantial amount because you're not, you're a lot younger than I am. Let's put it that way.

Okay. I'm surprised you even know what Shagg Herbertine is, okay? But it sounds like I had a bad experience. But please tell me, what do you do of this gift? You clearly have the gift. I'm going to be playing some of your music shortly. So what do you do with this gift in Vancouver? Nothing.

I just sang around places with friends and I was given a lot of really cool opportunities like opening for digital underground. Shock-chee? Yeah, the best, the best guy I was pretty heartbroken. Yeah, keep talking. I'm just going to dig something up here. Yeah, sure. When he passed, but it was a lot of fun because there's a club in Vancouver called Richards on Richards. and they were performing and I remember backstage they gave us like a bag of chicken and you know like that spray foam

and they were like pass out the chicken and spray people down and it was it was wow what a wild time so yeah somewhere back so it's behind the maestro actually but absolutely I have the 12 inch single for do what you like oh yeah of course you do it's one of my favorite albums honestly that's really cool that you have. I have it. Everything would fall down. It's right behind the drop the needle there. Yeah.

It's beside the led your backbone slide. But I love digital underground. That's where Tupac got to start. So this, I don't know. Tupac got his first ever recorded wrap that you could purchase was on a digital underground album. Like I can find that? Yeah, 100%. I almost could do.

I would do it for you, but it would be too embarrassing. Why? Tupac, go ahead. When I clown around, same song. Were you just about to? Yeah, I was just remembering what it was called. So the song's called Same Song, Digital Underground. You got it.

There's a verse. That's the first verse by Tupac. I am so excited to hear this. Okay. And I, okay, because I'm older than you, but when I first was listening to Sex Packets. That's my fit. That's the album, right? That is the one.

Okay. So I love the Digital Underground. I was shocked. Yeah, I'm also, I mean, I didn't know him like you did. But when Shock G died, I'm like, this is too young for Shock G to be dying. This is too bad. But I love the idea. had this like alter ego right so you'd have like shock g and humpty hump going back and forth

and i definitely remember like when i clued in that oh it's the same guy yeah it's not obvious for i was in i was in i guess i was in high school with humpty dance was blown up or whatever but i'm like oh that's that's shock g yeah yeah okay and i'm catching on here okay so you that's cool that you got to perform with digital underground yes um had a lot of really interesting experiences out in Vancouver. Like, I didn't know that this person was as famous as he was, but Dilla stayed at my

house. Okay, yeah. We had, yeah, we had wow, the name of, why is the band? Um, wow. Balkman Turner Overdrive. I'm just getting named bands now. No, the name of the band that Dilla was in. Thank you, Slum Village.

Yeah. Um, had uh, they had a show in Vancouver and needed a place to stay. And we were really good friends with the promoters. And we had a really huge condo. So they stayed with us and I didn't know anything about them. Right.

Until I went out to their show and was like, what is this? You know? Right. Oh, man. But now you've got to tell the listenership, who's that third voice? Like you just, like you spoke to God there for a moment. Oh, sorry about that. It's my manager.

Okay, so this guy's your manager. Yeah. Another mic. And partner. Okay. Oh, and partner. Yeah. Lucky man.

Okay, lucky guy. Now, newfound respect for Michael over there here. So, okay, that explains. So I'm going to let everybody know there is a third person in the room. No, there's no, like, this is the whole idea of Toronto Mike does we tear down the walls and there's no, like, BS going on here. We can, you know, we're not alone here in this universe, Tanika. Okay, there's a Michael in the room. True.

Two Michaels, actually. It's exciting. Okay. So you're going to drop, from the Vancouver era, you're going to drop any. their names on me because you blow in my mind of digital Enegragram because I was a huge fan. I'm a huge fan. Tommy Boy Records. Yeah. I'm trying to think of we didn't open for him but

hung out with Snoop for a while. Did you get high with Snoop? I did not. But at this very same club he was gathering a bunch of women to like join his harem. So he would just point at someone and then I have to say we because I was like yeah. We would all just walk behind him as he He walked around the club picking women just to follow him around.

I was young. I was young. You got to hope that's just for a harem here. It was hilarious. And he is so nice. Buster Rhymes, so nice. Buster Rhymes, who's, there's some Kaya festival coming up or something and Bust is on the bill. Okay.

But I was, I saw Bust on the bill, but I think Bustra's not going to visit the basement. But Julie Black is on the bill. And I'm like, Julie Black is somebody who needs to make her Toronto Mike debut. Oh my God. Gosh, I thought she had already had. This is major. She was on, okay, so it's funny, because just a moment ago I rapped with Donovan Bailey for his show.

Julie Black did Donovan show, but hasn't yet agreed to do Toronto mic. No, no Julie Black yet. And she's not an FOTM, but Tanika, you're an FOTM. I got to, can I get to some music and then we'll find out more about your story as we kind of, because I'm curious about a certain neighborhood in Toronto. So I'm going to play a little Tanika Charles, and then we're going to talk. I biked through this neighborhood last night on my way home from the Royal.

But here we go. I woke up in the usual way. Whole world's looking to stay. Looking in on my day to day. Money I may have burned away. Got to pay rent to date. Want to make moves, but I can. Your love keeps the same.

Lans I love you, but I got to get paid. Pay, pay. Working on a same gang. Working downtown. Okay, hey, hey, hey, I gotta get paid, working on the tank gang, living in park game. Park game. Hit the tape, rolling fresh, kind of shame, but it's a game.

You're the one that takes the cage, but today. Looking on the tank gang, working downtown, oh, we now got a get paid. I gotta get paid, working on the tank gang, living in park game. Okay, a couple of questions. Tanika Charles, were you living in Parkdown? I certainly was. So is this the first time back to Toronto you were living in Park Down?

Yes. Yes, it is. And did you get paid? Sure. Sometimes. Sometimes. Who's dropping the rhymes here? Oh, this is Ian James.

Ian James Jones. He is one of the most prolific artists in this city. And I just hope more people, you know, find out and, discover who he is. Well, we're doing that right now. Yes. Shout out. Ian James Jones?

Yes. James Jones. Too many names. Three names. Okay. I'm James. Okay. I have a son named James, so I shout out to, yeah.

But Parkdale, so just tell me a little bit about living in Parkdale. I have a great affinity to Parkdale. Like I said, I literally biked through yesterday. Got a great affinity for Parkdale. Parkdale was a great time. Again, I met some phenomenal friends to this day. in this area. We lived in a three bedroom right on the corner of Queen and Jameson.

It was $1,100 a month. Yeah. It was huge and riddled with... The good old days. Yeah, the good old days until the... When you could afford to live in Toronto. Right. As a starving artist.

Oh my gosh. And just it was so vibrant and mad and exciting. And I loved coming home every night. And I loved hearing the screams at the middle of the night. And people losing their mind. minds, it was just such a time. And it has changed so much. What does that apartment going to cost today?

I'm going to say it's rough. So. Yeah, but I still think, you're north of $2,000. Like, right? Yeah, for sure. For sure. Maybe $2,500 a month. I was going to say $2,500 bucks a month. Yeah, I'm feeling it too.

Yeah. It was, it was, actually, that place was really great. but it was riddled with with drama right yeah right well i i was uh you know whenever i need medical assistance i go to st joe's health center and i i see the parkdale people they're all night long yeah right yeah yeah so that's song parkdale just so we talk about the the music and the business like so tell me where you're at when you record parkdale like give us uh how did you get there so i I was singing backup for a lot of people. And a friend of mine was like,

maybe we should try to put you like in a retro soul kind of vibe. And at the time, I shouldn't even say retro. It was like, I really love hip hop. I'm a beat junkie through and through. I also love like the retro era. I love Motown. And I wanted to kind of like marry the two genres together. but I still wanted to have like a hip-hop influence in there too.

So I wanted you to have like this vintage feel, but I wanted you to nod your head. One of my faves. Yeah, I hear it. Right. So I was introduced to this producer named Daryl and he went by gigs, Daryl Dennis Giggs. And he made music that spoke to me. So I wasn't sure like how the whole sample world were. but at the time I didn't care.

I just wanted to make something. And he produced this song, Parkdale. And it was just, it was hype. Recorded it, played it around for a bunch of friends, got on some DJ's lists, and it just kind of blew up. So much so that there's a sign in Parkdale on the corner of Queen and Jameson with the lyrics. I don't know if it's still there.

I haven't been there in a while. Well, I'm going to bike there maybe later today. Yeah. I'm going to go look for this. Look for the sign. See if it's there. If not, I'll send you a photo.

Yeah, send me a photo. So when you said you were singing backups before you record this, is this from, uh, uh, what, what, what?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was singing backup for, um, better win sound clash for a while. They've been on the show.

I know. Okay. And, um, and I like their music too, uh, except for the Zellers ad. I mean,

I mean, I know you got to make money. Zellers ad. Don't, you don't know this one of their bit, one of the, When the Night Feels my song was used in a big Zellers campaign. I feel like that song's been around a lot.

You know what? Sometimes you got to pay the rent though, right? Yeah, exactly. I get it. I get it. Hey, got to do what you got to do. Okay, so you're doing backup vocals for Bedouin sound class. Yeah, and I just love Jay so much because he, after, you know, performing with him for a couple of years, he basically put me on a stage opening up for him.

I think the venue was called like Black Betty or something to that effect on King Street. I'm not quite sure. It's not there anymore. And I'm not saying that, you know, me opening up for him, my career took off, but it definitely exposed me to a new crowd. And at this point, are you using the stage name, Ms. Chowell's? I'm using Ms. Charles. Okay. Ms. Charles is a very, very different person.

Well, tell me the differences between this woman I'm talking about. talking to right now and Ms. Charles. Okay. So to be completely honest, I wore a lingerie on stage. Okay. And I drank a lot. And it was like not good. It was definitely a persona that people loved to see because it's like I'm acting and

I'm doing all this stuff. But I think at the same time, I was kind of losing myself. Interesting. Right. Like I love classy. And I love 1950s, and I wanted to kind of embody that, but I wanted to also be sober. And, but still, you know, have a, like, branding. Well, you could stick water in those wine bottles, right?

Well, you would think, right? But it's like I was freer. Right. When I was a little bit intoxicated. Right. But then it became to a point where it's like, you know, I'm screaming. head off on stage and Ms. Charles is my manager at the time. He's like, oh my gosh, I've got this great idea. We're going to have these, your, your t-shirts are going to have a heart with a knife

through it saying, Ms. Charles is one badass bitch. I'm like, that is not what I want for myself. No, no, no, no, no. So I kind of had to let go of that, that whole Ms. Charles thing because I wanted to connect with people when performing. instead of passing out after I was done or drinking even more. Right. You know? Do you still drink? Not really.

I'll have a one after a show because I can't sing if I drink before. Okay. Well, this is the awkward segue for me to tell you. I'm sending you home of some craft beer. I'm so excited about this, though. I think Michael's more excited over there. He's got his hand on. So Great Lakes Brewery sent over fresh craft beer.

It's brewed right here in southern Etobico. Oh, right. So that's going home with you. And real quick, because I'm itching to kick out this next jam here, which I know is going to be the, I should point out, what? What? What? Yeah.

Am I saying it right? Okay, that's an EP here, but we're going to get to the, we're going to kick it up a notch in a minute here. But I do have in my freezer upstairs a large frozen lasagna from Palma pasta. So you're leaving here of delicious Italian food and fresh craft beer to Nika Charles. I mean, this is wonderful. Did anyone give you the heads up? You were going to get this kind of swag.

I did not know. I heard, but I didn't know. Does everybody get this? Everybody who comes in person gets this. Yeah, tell that to Julie Black next time you're chatting with her. I certainly will. Also, quickly here, then I'm going to play a song and we're going to talk about it. This book is on the history of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball.

I was there Saturday night at Christy Pitts to take in the Leafs game. It is absolutely free to go to Christy Pitts and watch this very entertaining, high caliber baseball happening right in your city. Tanika Charles. Right on. So you're going to be well versed in Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball when you leave through that book. I'm excited. Thank you.

Pun intended. Leave through. See what I do that? Okay. Jeez, no wonder I'm an award-winning podcaster. Okay. And last but not least on the gift front, I have a measuring tape for you, Tanika, from Redley Funeral Home Pillars of this community since 1921.

Hey, you know what? I have a desire to be. A bodybuilder. And I need to start measuring my waist. Okay, because you can make that dream happen. Yeah, so this is great. You just got to lift weights. Okay, I'll join you maybe.

I need to lift some weights too. Okay, you ready for another jam? Yes. Here we go. Pull the right one, hold on. I think you pull the instrumental for sure. Really? I can sing it for you.

No, well, would you? All right, standby. Stand by here. We're going to fix this very quickly. Tini going. That's not the first mistake I made this week. So, okay. Hold on.

Soul Run. I pull the instrumental you don't say. You know what? I got to start checking out these files before I load them in here. Stand by. We're going to get this right because I'm going to pull it from YouTube. Okay. Okay.

So it's here we have here. You'll tell me if I got the right version. Okay. Yeah, that intro was really long. I should be talking this up here. Oh, this is actually. Oh, no. No, standby.

That's 0 for 2. going to get, I'm going to play the video. Yes. Because you can't go wrong with the video. There you are. I see the street car in the background. Okay, so it's the video so you get this kind of nice. Here we go. Okay, I'm going to watch the video. What a Toronto

video. Yeah. Okay. Right in Park, there you're Yeah, Skyline Restaurant. There it is. You're on the... So you don't need a permit for that. You just record it in a streetcar, right? Yeah, renegade style. That's Hunder Van of the band the show, the movie does it. Yeah.

They just do it. They don't get any. They don't bother this permit nonsense. Okay, tell me about Soul Run. And just give me the whole vibe. What happens when this blows up? This is amazing. Oh, wow.

This is the song that actually set it off. So this is about me living on a farm just outside of Edmonton. I was engaged. I was ready to settle down. I thought. And then I wasn't. Right. And that's when I actually.

You went to Edmonton for this boy. And this is the boy that you're going to settle there. Yes. You know the story. Yeah. I'm listening. I love that. And I left.

I came here. And this is when I started, like, thinking about making music for real. I was feeling a little bit more comfortable in my body and my voice. And we released this album. I'm trying to, like, I have to get this timeline right,

because a lot has happened since that album was released. Okay, the preview single comes out in 2015, like late 2015. Yeah. And then, there was a label in Italy that heard this song, and then they heard the album. And I was like, I don't want to, you know, give up my masters and all of that business. And I wasn't sure if I was, if I trusted who this company was, this organization, this label.

And so I spoke to a really good friend, and he's like, you know what? What do you have to lose? Give it a shot. So we'd signed up with record kicks. and toured extensively in Europe, managed to snag a KFC commercial. Really? Yes.

And Soul Run is like the greatest creation of my life. Okay. And this is the, obviously the album's called Soul Run as well. Did you know Colonel Sanders lived in Mississauga for a good chunk of his later life? Come on. You have really interesting. pieces of information. Oh, I just talked a lot of people.

I retain the interesting stuff and then everything else just falls out here. But you mentioned this is the big break, so I didn't know about the KFC ad. That's amazing. But you're everywhere. I mean, you're on Q? Yes. How is Gian Gomeshi? Well, I didn't speak to Gian Gamesi.

Okay, who did you speak to? What is this? Shad. Okay, okay. Your post, okay. I like Shad's been on the program. Yeah. I like Shad very much, actually.

So nice. So you're your post-Gion here. You might have dodged a bullet. there. Okay. And what's key here is that this album, Soul Run, which is the big break, you got, I guess you made the long list for the 2016 Polaris Music Prize. Right. And I was also nominated for Juno. And the wild thing is I was in a theater piece called Freedom Singer with a good friend, Kari McClelland. And we were on the road. And I received a message from my PR and she's like, yeah, you've been nominated.

And I'm like, what do you mean? For a Juno? For a Juno. Wasn't even thinking about that. I could barely focus when I was on stage because I'm like, this is so insane. Just a wonderful experience. Who won that Juno? Do you remember?

Do I want to remember? Well, I might get my voodoo doll here. Give me a name here. This, by the way, I should tell the listenership, this is R&B Soul Recording of the Year. It's the 2017 June Awards. I could look this up, but I want to know if you remember who beat you. I think it was the weekend. Oh, you know what, though?

I can see that. You know, they got to jump on the big international name of the moment. Right. I see that. It was like, you know, it was cool being the only woman on the nominee list, I think it was. That was Daniel Caesar the weekend. Oh, yeah. Those are big names.

Yeah. So it was just, it was, it was cool. It was an honor just to be nominated. Absolutely. 100%. You got that written down in front of you. Just say that line. That's what they tell you, the PRP, but just say it was an honor to be nominated.

Okay. It's true. No bullshit on the show here. All right. So how, professionally, how do things change for you when soul run? I didn't know about the KFC ad. I got to track this down. Yeah.

It's hilarious. So, freedom singer's done, the play is over, and I am now on the road with Johnny Reed singing back up. And we were in a stadium. I don't even remember what stadium it was, and we're all having dinner, and then this commercial comes on. And I was like, that song sounds really familiar. And so I call Michael, my manager, and I was like, did we... This guy right here. This guy right here. And I'm like, did we get a KFC commercial? And he's like, yeah, absolutely.

So of course, I'm like, all of these really cool things happen when I'm busy. So, you know, I had to wait to get home after a two-month tour to celebrate. And I feel like, like I want to speak about manifesting and intention. But I'm not familiar with this life. until recently. Like I've heard all about it. I know, you know, you write down your dreams and your wishes and whatnot, but to actually see something come to fruition is really a very special and I think it's a bit of a phenomena.

I don't know. I was in such a good place. I was doing what I loved. I loved singing backup. I loved making music. And then all of these incredible things just started happening. I was doing theater pieces, theater work, just on a really good musical trajectory.

And that's what I got. That's all I got. Tanika, it's more than, like, obviously, this manifest idea is like, okay, I don't know, you write it down or whatever. But you're writing it down, but you're also working your ass off. Yeah, yes.

But, like, so writing it down is not enough. No. So if you didn't write it down, just worked your ass off, you'd still be, still be where you are today. Do you think? Yeah. I mean, it's just, it's the working your ass off. First of all, you have to have the talent.

So you have, you knew that in Vancouver, okay? People, you're like, hey, you got a beautiful voice. Okay. So now you have, you have to have the talent, okay? You got the talent. Then you work your ass off. Talent plus hustle equals in an ideal world. Opportunity.

Opportunity. And you made the most of it. I, I'm realizing that now. So living in this musical, artistic, creative world, you often, at least for myself, I never take the time to recognize the winds and the work that's been done previously. I often dwell in this dark place like I'm not doing enough or I'm seeing everybody else doing all these amazing things and I'm not a part of that. it's unfortunate that I also, you know, suffer with a little bit of imposter syndrome. And again, I'm working on believing in myself. So, yeah.

But the imposter syndrome, like, you could sing right now. You're not AI. Like, there's no, you know, auto tuning or any AI enhancement. Like, your voice is your voice. It's legit, right? I think so. Okay. So where exactly, I'm just wondering where the imposter's,

syndrome comes from because I mean it's very common I hear it a lot I'm I think I have it to some degree as well but your voice is your voice when you're when you're in the shower and you're singing that's tinica charles yeah but it's also sometimes I feel like you know I listen to some of my favorite singers and I'm like wow they sound so beautiful the tone is is wonderful why do I sound the way that I do why don't I think my voice is nice like sometimes I'll hear you hear it and I'm like, I can't stand it. You know? Yeah.

And then I think like, have I been gaslit this whole time? You know, like, why do people think that this is a nice voice to hear, you know? Okay. Can we do an exercise together then? Yeah, of course. I'm going to watch you listen to this song, okay? I'm going to watch closely here. Boy, I got to tell me something.

We've been going back and forth too long. Yeah. What gave you the country? You stringing me along Yeah You What's that? I've never heard this version

I'm full of surprises today to me Yeah you are I'm blaming my producer For anything you don't like And if you were sure You'd give me more When I'd ask it too much Stop stringing me along

Yeah You Yeah You So you're hearing this version For the first time For the very first time But do you recognize the voice

I said So you know what I I do. Typically, I go see what's popular on YouTube. Like, what are people listening to? Like, because that's, to me, the best idea of what's viving with people is what are people clicking play on here. So this is popular on YouTube. Come on. How do you think I got it?

This is insane to hear right now. This is popular. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. That's why I pulled it because the people tell me this is a jam. Oh, my gosh. Why am I ready to cry right now?

Feel free to cry. Okay. But here, let me hear. You got to tell me. Yeah. So this particular version, this remix, if you will, is foreign to you. You don't know it. No.

My path. I got better things to do. And if you were sure you'd give me more without it, I'd ask it too much. Stop stringing me along. Because you know it's a bob, Tanika. Wow. So when you listen to this, if you just pretend it's somebody. else, would you agree this is good?

I would. Okay, so let's get rid of this imposter syndrome bullshit. Let's just throw it in the garbage. Okay, because this is you. That's wild. I don't know who the hell is remixing you that you're like, what am I listening to? That's wild to me. Yeah.

I mean, first I pull an instrumental and then I blow your mind with this. He knows what's coming next. I do have another jam. I got a couple of jams I want to ask you about. I'm sure. All right, let's roll into another one and see if I can, it's something else you've never heard. Hold on here.

All right, tell me about reasons to stay. Sorry, I'm getting emotional. So the album or this song? Either, both. Have a both, since I'm king here. Yes, absolutely. So I wanted to write an album about my upbringing. And it was very difficult to do because there's been a lot of trauma.

It is so easy to write about, you know, relationships in terms of. of heartache and heartbreak and being in toxic, blah, blah, blah, blah. But to speak about, you know, raising my younger brother because my parents weren't around, surviving, you know, really scary situations. I had to talk about this with my partner because he was like, how do you feel about this? You know that discussing what happened in your household is going to open up some doors, some that you might not want to enter, but also it will invite conversation, which it absolutely has.

So this album is basically about, or the bio says, like, love letters to my family. And it basically discusses just survival and, I don't know, growth with myself and love just on a different level with your family, I guess. This must have been very therapeutic for you. It is. It's still very hard to sing on stage, too. Like, there's a song about my younger brother, and every single time I sing it, I cry. So I don't really like to have it on the set list. And, you know, one thing that I do love about this album is that it has connected me with a lot of

people who have had similar situations in their home. So, you know, I'm hoping that it's not like a trauma bond kind of situation where it's like, oh, my God. You know, it's just, it's very nice to discuss how we've survived with each other and just, you know, encourage and support. And I don't know, connection is so incredibly important to me. Okay. And this is your latest offering. The name of the album? Reasons to Stay.

Reasons to Stay. And that's the title track right there. It's beautiful. Thank you so much. Yeah. Thank you. I can't believe you have imposter syndrome. I do.

I'm the one who should have the imposter's. You really should not. Actually, Michael should have the imposter syndrome. Look who he's dating here. Okay. I'm going to get a gracious. Oh, goodness. All right.

So I'm going to shed out a couple of partners, and then I have a couple more questions. And then I have like a surprise jam I pulled. Okay. Yeah, surprise jam. Okay. You never know. Now, let's even see if it's you at this point. It's like, I just hope it's Teneika Charles.

Okay. So let me just show you. shout out, Recycle My Electronics.C.A. Because, Tanika, if you have old electronics, old devices, old cables, I don't want you throwing that in the garbage. Those chemicals end up in our landfill. Go to recyclemyelectronics.ca. Put in your postal code and find out where you can drop it off to be properly recycled. That's what you're going to do.

Also, I want to give some love to Nick Iienes, because he stepped up to help fuel the real talk so we could have conversations like this with Tanika Charles, his podcast, is called Building Toronto Skyline. He's got another one called Mike and Nick. I'm the mic in that title. And I'm proud to produce both of them. And I urge people to check them out. So thank you, Nick Aienis from Fusion Corp.

Okay. The backup. So Johnny Reed, you mentioned Johnny Reed. You mentioned Bedouin Sound Clash. Anyone else you want to shout out that you would perform as a backing vocalist for? Oh, my gosh. Too many to mention.

Yeah. Like it was just, that was my gig for a while, you know, and I loved it. Well, what about a lovely lady, Serena Ryder? Serena Ryder. Was my, is one of my faves. Fellow Sagittarian, just good, good people, and a lot of fun. Okay, I agree if you want, all those counts. Okay.

Also, I have a question about your, you know, you mentioned the KFC ad, but I also was checking out some of the television shows that might feature music by Toneika Charles. Yes. So, too quite, well, I'll just name check one because less than kind. Yep. The star, that's Jesse Chimachio, you know, right? Okay, he came over, he was great. He was actually in a movie directed by Stu Stone.

It was fantastic. And work and moms, I watched Work and Moms on CBC. Didn't see the show, but I think my mom watches it. Rookie Blue. Yep. And, of course, saving hope. So I guess I'm wondering. It's convenience.

So you're on Kim's Convenience? Yeah. Okay, I watched Kim's Convenience. That was a good show. Is it, like, is it at all lucrative? I have no idea how it works in this day and age. Like, if you get a song on a show, is that good for the bank account? Be honest, Tanika.

This is the Home of Real Talk. Like, does it at least buy you a nice, a nice succulent meal? That's about it. I'm just joking. It depends how a succulent it is. Right, right. Like, it's nice. It's really cool when people are watching a TV show and then I get a message like,

I think I heard your song. And then it's like, yeah, that's 100% you know what you've heard. That was my song. That was my song. I was on Work and Moms. Work and Moms actually has really catapulted listenership. And it's also a really good show. Kim's Convenience as well.

Yeah. Is it lucrative? Yeah. You know, nothing really to write home about, but it's still pretty cool. But it gives you some additional exposure maybe. Yeah. You've already had the songs already exist. Exactly.

It's not like you, you know. Okay, I get it. All right. So I'm going to close with this song, but I want to congratulate you because, let me get this right, okay? You are a recipient. Are you sitting down, Tanika? I'm going to make the big announcement of the 2026 Sirius XM Black Canadian Music awards. I got a lovely piece of information about how you're being recognized. How does that feel?

I have to say that it is so important and meaningful and I'm grateful to have received that award because it's really nice to be acknowledged for the work that you've put in. Junos are great. Nominees are great. I have to be honest about two weeks prior to receiving that award, I was like, I'm so over this music thing. I'm over it. Really? I'm done. I feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends. I'm hustling. And the momentum that we'd had prior to 20, you know, the dark times, it's just not there. Or at least it felt like it wasn't there. So when I'd received the email that I was a recipient, it was like I broke

down crying because it was just like I feel seen and I am now being recognized for the work. But then that also led to the conversation like, Tiniqa, you've done a lot. And it's so great to, you know, be acknowledged for that. But also like, it doesn't hurt. And there's at least a little money in this award. A little. Yeah. I lot to lasagna.

Yes, a lot. Palma Bust. You know, it's a relative term. But, you know, sometimes you win an award and it's like, yeah, you got to pay us for the trophy. Right. No, this is, this was so, so welcomed. And shout out to the Socan Foundation for even having this award to present. Yeah, Socan Foundation.

And Sirius XM, Canada, they might have cut the check, possibly. Yep. Did some investigate. Who's coughing up this 10K for Tanika Charles here? And that doesn't hurt. So, but I'm blubes. blown away by something you just said because when did reasons to stay come out? Like when did it become?

Last year. So yeah, 2025, right? And reasons. So is it just that it's so damn hard in this country to make a living as a musician? Like unless you're the weekend. Is it hard to make a living? I don't know how to answer that because there have been years where we were touring and we were so incredibly busy. and I was just working so much that I couldn't even, you know, the funds were coming in.

The funds were coming in. And then there have been years where it was incredibly slow, and I was absolutely considering a different career. But I still wanted to stay in the creative aspect of everything. I just wasn't sure what I was. I'm absolutely looking to it like anything, right? And I've lost my turn of thought. Oh, no, no.

That, you know, it sounds like, what if you don't, what if you don't get this Socan Foundation Black Canadian Music Award from Sirius XM? Like, what if you don't get that? Are you pivoting now to a different field in the creative realm? I'm looking into it, but I feel like I have been revived and rejuvenated because of this award. I'm in the middle of a tour right now as well. So we just finished performing in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, at the Jubilee. Fantastic venue, such a great crowd. We have our last show in Paris, Ontario for Parish Strings Fest. And I'm very much looking forward to this because everybody talks about this festival.

When is that? August 15th. Okay. Yeah. And, you know, the audience reception has been incredible. So I feel good again. And I'm excited. I'm working on new music.

I just did this really exciting production and equity program, mentorship through Sokan Foundation, actually. And it has, you know, kind of allowed me to use my brain in a different way, musically, writing and singing. That's the easy part. But to actually create music from scratch, this is what I want to learn. I'm thinking about playing my trombone again. Like, lots of things are changing. So I feel good. Okay.

I'm glad to hear it because it feels like a sin against nature if you shut it down. That's a really sweet thing to say. Come on. You can't do that. Now, we talked about the One June Award, but you have been nominated three times. Yes. Okay. No wins yet.

What's that about? What do I have to do to do to make this happen here? You know, love and light. Love and light. Let me just keep it sweet. What a positive. I'll be the asshole. You need to have a heavy here.

Okay. You can't just be, you know, good cop, bad cop here. Okay. And, you know, you mentioned you're playing. I was reading you've played all over the world. It's amazing. Yeah. Some pretty cool venues as well, like the Mojo Club.

That was kind of major. That one is in Germany. Wow. I have such a crazy, terrible memory. Well, that's okay. Listen, so you played a lot of cool venues. Yeah, played a lot of cool venues. Have you ever played Strombo's house?

I have. Oh, wow. I had no idea. No. So, okay. So I have the, where there's road apples right over here.

When I was looking for the, I still should dig up the do-watch. You know what? Please do. When I play this, I'm going to get the, I don't care if everything falls apart here. I'll get the poor,

the raccoon. The guy who created raccoons came over. He gave me that, that, Cedric. What's his name? Anyway, let me, let me play this.

And then I'm going to ask you about it, okay? Because Stromble's been on the show. I remember when he did the, I think it was 50, like the, the 50 hip covers. And this is Tanika Charles, everybody.

I'm going to play it. I'm going to get my digital interview on album. Hold on here. The Strombo show on Radio 2 are celebrating the tragical hip. Next is Tanika Charles. We've already started. Well, I think that there's a problem here. I totally messed up the words.

So let's do it again. All right, go for it. Here we go. Tanika Charles on the Strombos show, Radio 2. Well, I. Think that there's a problem here. Her voice just don't sound right. Left myself on the answering machine said I'd be back tonight.

Feels I stepped out of the wilderness all squint. But even babies are raised by wolves know exactly when they've been star. So, boots or hearts? From up to here? Yeah. First hip album I ever bought. Okay. So how did you get, like you just got invited?

How did it end up that you got to play Strombo's house and be one of the 50 hip cover? No idea. Can't remember. I can't remember. Okay. And not to bury the lead. Okay. So I love it.

Boots or hearts. It was a really good time, though. Okay. Do you remember that? Okay. Remember the good times. I think that's from the sopranos. Remember the good times, right?

Okay. Now I'm going to play Don't Stop Believing My Journey. Okay. So what I have in my hand here, Tanika Charles, maybe you got to hold this up with a photo. I don't know. But this is, I found, this is my 12 inch. I think it was 1990 when I bought this.

On Young, near Wellesley. And do what you like and Packet Man. It's got the remixes, Digital Underground. There you go. I'm really impressed with you right now. Are you? I mean, I've been listening to your podcast and it's amazing. But this takes the cake.

Whoa. I am so stoked that you have this album. My gosh. Wow. Mind below here. Oh, I got to take that with you. Like, come on. Listen.

I'll have to hunt you down and get that back at some point. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah, we'll do it outside. Okay. But Boots or Hearts, and I love how you, you know, you told me moments ago, you don't have a great memory. And then I hear you can't remember how Boots or Hearts starts. You got to give it a second ago, you know?

Probably the most country song, I think, the hip ever recorded, probably, boots or hearts. But amazing. experience for you? Is there anything else that you wanted to share with everybody that you didn't get an opportunity to share? I mean, I do have something, but I have to tell you off. Oh, it's a secret. Yeah, it's a secret. Okay, well...

No, that was a really great time, and George is so cool. And it's really nice to, like, occasionally see him in the wild, and he's like, hey, Tanika. Is he here much? I feel like this guy, because, you know, he's got no kids. He's just sort of like jumps on a motorcycle and goes to like California. What a life. Yeah. Like he's living in this.

I'm like, oh, I could live like, I mean, there's pros and cons to it. I'm not, I don't want to like, you know, the grass is always greener. But it's like, yeah, like, he just sort of does what he wants to do. Yeah, it's great. I don't have kids either. Can you just do what you want to do? Yeah. Well, what's that like?

I have a cat. So we have a cat. And it's, yeah. So that's, you know, the thing. But it's great. This is great. I think the idea, like, so, you know, here you are in this little tiny little, I had to, you know, you got this, is that a bun? What's going on there?

It's my little bun. So I said, okay, good, because when you leap up when we're done, it's going to protect you. Because it's a little saying. So I'm in this little, little, whatever little part of the house is left to have a little studio or whatever. But now we say, there's like a Strombo's house and people like Tineka Charles drop by and like sing. Like, this guy's got it going on. Yeah. I got to be like Strombo over here.

I think you're on your way, if not already there. I don't have a motorcycle. I can't get to California, but I do have a bicycle and I could probably get to Oakville. Well, Parkdale for sure. I'm going to have to find out if those lyrics from the Parkdale song are still there. Tanika Charles, you're now an FOTM, a friend of Toronto Mike. Oh, what an honor. That's better than a Juno. It's better than a Polaris music prize. Head down. Hads down. Oh, did I mention you're shortlisted to be an FOTM?

I'm just kidding. You're an FOTM. Okay. Amazing. And I feel Shad got a bad rap on Q because I thought he was good and then he didn't last very long. Right. I agree. Yeah. It's unfortunate. We agree on this one. 100%. You know who I always think is good? No disrespect to the wonderful Tom Power.

But when he takes a vacation, Garvia Bailey fills in. I think Garvia Bailey is the best host of Q. Garvia Bailey is just the best person of life. And I have had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with her. on a different, like, you know, I don't know if I'm allowed to say who, but we... Oh, now I'm paying attention. I think it's a different podcast, so, you know. I don't care.

Like, there's a million podcasts. Yeah, okay. I think we, we, it was jazz, jazz FM. Yeah. She used to be on jazz FM. Yes, and so that was really exciting. We did a little live show. And it's just, there are people that you connect with when you're interviewing with them, right?

And you're comfortable. and that's you. Well, that's Garvia Bailey. And Garvia. For sure. Garvia Bailey and Chad. And Shad. And they're both great guests. But Garvia's great.

And she's named after Marcus Garvey. Has she been on this show? Yep. She's been there in the seat there? Yeah. Absolutely. Fantastic. Well, you're fantastic.

I didn't know. Oh, thank you so much. As are you. I trust you. I think you're right about that. Okay. And that. And that brings us to the end of our 1,943rd show, 1943.

Go to tronomelmike.com for all your Toronto mic needs. So where do people go to find out where they can see Tanika Charles live? Tanika charles.com. Everything you need is there. Everything you want online is Tanika Charles. Tanika Charles.com. And much love to all who made this possible. That is Great Lakes Brewery.

Yay. Got your beer? Okay. Palma pasta, don't leave about your lasagna. Toronto Maple Leafs Baseball, you got your book. Nick Aini's Nick, we don't have anything to give out from you. Why don't you give me something to give a guess? Come on, Nick.

Recyclemyeletronics.ca. And of course, Ridley Funeral Home, you have your measuring tape. Their podcast is called Life's Undertaking, and we're recording a new episode tomorrow. So this is interesting. I'm recording in an hour. So in one hour, Andrew Cregan, who was an original member of Bear Naked Ladies,

and then after the second full-length album, he just left the band to go to McGill and get a very serious interest in music. And he was studying music at McGill. So he leaves Bear Naked Ladies. His brother's still in Bear Naked Ladies. So his brother's Jim Cregan. He's Andy Cregan. He's going to drop by in one hour.

That'll be episode 1944. and I'll see everybody then.