An international artist, Merlin Nyakam was, at 16, one of the pillars of the National Ballet of Cameroon, which received an award from the Ministry of Culture. Arriving in France in the 1990s, he collaborated with numerous choreographers and flourished in contemporary dance.

In 1997, he joined the Montalvo-Hervieu company, where he established himself as a dancer, singer, and actor until 2018. From 2001 onward, he developed his own choreographic language with Primitive Recreation. His work draws inspiration from African and Japanese spiritualities to create a holistic theatrical experience, encompassing dance, song, and acting.

He created numerous significant works between 2004 and 2023, exhibited in Africa, Europe, and Asia. His recent creations confirm his strong return to the French art scene, supported by numerous institutions. Merlin also collaborates with major international artists such as Angélique Kidjo and Bobby McFerrin.

Since 2010, he has been a visiting artist at SPAC-Shizuoka in Japan, where he leads projects with teenagers.
A dedicated educator, he teaches and shares his art in Europe and several African countries.