But first a short story....
At just six years old, little Margaret dreamed of a daughter she would name Tameko. She imagined her smile framed by dimples and punctuated by a single beauty mark. Her daughter would be a multi-talented star, her golden voice touching millions through the power of music.
She spoke of Tameko as if she were already a living soul, telling family and friends all about her "little star." Years later, when Margaret finally held her newborn baby girl, she was astonished to see the dimples and beauty mark, just as she’d imagined.
In a spur-of-the-moment decision, she altered the spelling from "Tameko" to "Tameka," a choice she would later look back on with a touch of regret. But in her heart, Margaret knew her daughter was the very star she had always dreamed about.
“As a tribute to my late mother and beloved manager, I've chosen to return to my original name to fulfill the dream she always held for me.”
--Tameko Star
WHO IS TAMEKO STAR?
With her powerhouse voice and boundless artistic versatility, Tameko Star is celebrated as the fierce talent behind the unforgettable '90s Euro Dance act Livin' Joy. As the voice and face of Livin' Joy, Tameko took the world by storm, blending her gifts as a singer, songwriter, and performer to craft an enduring legacy that transformed dance music. Her journey is one of explosive global impact and a meteoric rise to stardom, securing her place as a legendary figure in dance music history.
Growing up in Europe, Tameko's passion for music blossomed at a young age. She performed for anyone who would listen—even her collection of stuffed animals. With a musical family and icons like Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Michael and Janet Jackson as inspiration, Tameko immersed herself in music, dance, and performance. By high school, her exceptional voice earned her a spot in the elite choir, and her choreography skills made her dance team captain. She shined on stage in theater and won local talent competitions, making a name for herself early on.
After high school, Tameko moved to Italy to pursue music and performance. By day, she taught performing arts on a military base; by night, she captivated audiences as the lead singer of a popular band. Then, a twist of fate: a live radio broadcast of her singing caught the ears of Italian producers Ricardo Stecca, Andrea Acchioni, and Massimo Artusi. They invited her to record tracks that would soon make waves. With singles like "Feel the Rhythm," "Now I Feel," "Love Makes Me High," and the breakthrough hit "Going in Circles," Tameko quickly became a sensation in the Italian dance music scene.
Tameko’s career took off when a call from Angelo Bernado of Undiscovered Records catapulted her into the heart of the Euro dance movement. Fresh off the success of Livin' Joy’s hit "Dreamer," Bernado and hitmakers Gianni and Paolo Visnadi needed a new voice and fresh vision for the project. Tameko, though an R&B and pop artist at heart, joined forces with the Visnadi brothers and powerhouse label MCA Records (now Universal Music Group). The Visnadi Brothers were captivated by her talent for catchy melodies and infectious hooks, dubbing her "The Great Melodista." Together, they crafted "Don't Stop Movin'," a track that took the '90s by storm. The song soared into the top 10 worldwide, went gold, and landed on over 100 compilations, making Livin' Joy a global phenomenon.
Fueled by the success of "Don't Stop Movin'" and Livin' Joy’s first album which delivered more hits such as "“Follow the Rules," and “Where Can I Find Love, " plans for a second album were quickly set in motion. But as industry politics and label mergers disrupted the release, Tameko pivoted. She moved to America, channeling her passion into founding Star House Entertainers—a talent development and production company in Atlanta aimed at empowering young artists to pursue their dreams.
Still, Tameko remains an artist to her core, continuing to write and produce her own music. Her latest single, "Something Beautiful," a Livin' Joy-inspired track, is available on all digital platforms, signaling an exciting new chapter for this resilient star.
With nearly 100 million streams of her hits across digital platforms, Tameko Star returns with a fresh look, a new EP on the way, and an electrifying tour on the horizon. Her devoted #livinloyals can expect the high-energy performances they adore, while new fans are in for the thrilling discovery of a true musical legend. With every beat and every anthem, Tameko lights up audiences around the world, embodying the unstoppable spirit of Livin' Joy.