Teni (singer) explained

Teni
Birth Name:Teniola Apata
Birth Date:1993 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Lagos State, Nigeria
Honorific Suffix:MON
Genre:Afro
Years Active:2016–present
Label:Dr. Dolor Entertainment
Instrument:Vocals

Teniola Apata (born 23 December 1993), professionally known as Teni or Teni The Entertainer is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and entertainer.

Early life

Teni was born on 23 December 1993 in Lagos State. She is the younger sister of Nigerian singer Niniola.[1] [2] She attended Apata Memorial High School and later the University of Georgia, but finished at American InterContinental University where she obtained degree in business administration.[3] [4]

Career

2016–2019: Fargin, Askamaya and Other Recordings

Teni released her debut single "Amen" while signed to Shizzi's Magic Fingers Records.[5] She left the record label and signed with Dr. Dolor Entertainment in 2017.[6] Teni started gaining prominence after releasing the single "Fargin" in September 2017. She made her breakthrough after releasing the hit singles "Askamaya", "Case" which was later covered by Nigerian musician Snazzy the Optimist as "Upgrade",[7] and "Uyo Meyo". "Askamaya" was ranked 15th on MTV Base's year-end list of the Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks of 2018.[8]

On 20 February 2019, Teni was featured on YouTube Music's Trending Artist on the Rise.[9] On 3 May 2019, she released the video for "Sugar Mummy". On 14 June 2019, she released a new single titled "Power Rangers".[10]

2019–2020: Billionaire E.P and Quarantine Playlist

Teni released her debut E.P, Billionaire on 11 October 2019. The "Billionaire EP" was compiled with six (6) tracks and no guest appearance. The E.P was produced by Jaysynths Beatz and Pheelz.[11]

In April 2020, Teni partnered with Nigerian Disk Jockey, DJ Neptune to release an EP called the Quarantine Playlist, which sees her playing out different stages of being in quarantine and talking about the strains of being on lock down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The four-track EP is mostly mid-tempo and includes production from Tempoe, P. Prime and Dëra.[12]

2021–present: Wondaland

On 2 February 2021, Teni revealed the name and expected date for her forthcoming debut album. She shared this on her Instagram account "The time is near... And the album shall be called “WONDALAND” #MARCH2021 #WONDALAND" [13]

Her debut album 'WONDALAND' was crafted for over two years in cities like London, New York City, Orlando, Ondo, Lagos and Abuja.[14]

The album's production was handled by Pheelz, Damayo, Tempoe, P.Prime, Millamix, Krizbeatz, and Ozedikus and was made available for purchase and online streaming on several music platforms, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer, and Google Play.[15]

Endorsements

In March 2019, Teni signed an endorsement deal with Tom Tom, a candy brand produced by Cadbury Nigeria.[16] On 6 October 2020, PM News reported that Teni had signed an endorsement deal with Telecommunications Giant, Globacom Nigeria.[17]

Awards and nominations

Teni won Rookie of the Year at the 2018 Headies Awards, and Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[18] She also won Best New Artist at the 2018 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.[19] NotJustOk ranked her eighth on its list of the 10 Hottest Artists in Nigeria.[20] She was listed on Premium Times list of the Six Nigerian breakout stars, viral sensations of 2018.[21]

In October 2022, Teni was conferred a Nigerian National Award – Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) – by Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari.[22] There was a controversy on social media about her approach to receiving the award.[23]

Discography

Studio albums and EPs

Selected singles

YearTitleAlbum
2016"Amen"rowspan="11"
2017 "Fargin"
2018"Wait"
"Pareke"
"Lagos"
"Askamaya"
"Fake Jersey"
"Shake Am"
"Case"
"Pray"
"Uyo Meyo"
2019"Party Next Door"rowspan="3"
"Sugar Mummy"
"Power Rangers"
2020"Marry"
2021"For You" ft DavidoWondaland
2021"Dorime"Non-album single
2022"One Day"Non-album single
"My Way (E GET WHY) [Freestyle]"
"LITTLE & LENGENDARY"[30] LITTLE & LENGENDARY
2023"No Days Off"Non-album single
"Lanke"Non-album single
"Malaika"Non-album single
YearTitleAlbum
2018"Rambo" ">(Dr. Dolor featuring Teni)rowspan="3"
"Pray"
"Aye Kan" ">(Shizzi featuring Teni and Mayorkun)
2019‘’Sound’’ (Diamond Platnumz) feat. Teni‘’Laye Mi’’ (Codest Boi) feat. TeniNon-album single
2020Fuji Pop ">(Ojayy Wright featuring Teni)
YearTitleAlbum
2017"Like Dat" by Davido

Awards

YearAward ceremonyPrizeRecipientResultRef
2018 The HeadiesRookie of the YearHerself[31]
Soundcity MVP Awards FestivalBest New Artist[32]
Nigeria Entertainment AwardsMost Promising Act to Watch
2019BET AwardsBest New International Act[33]
The HeadiesBest Pop Single"Case"[34]
Song of the Year
Best Recording of the Year"Uyo Meyo"
Best R&B Single
Viewer's ChoiceHerself
Best Vocal Performance (Female)Teni for "Uyo Meyo"
MTV Europe Music AwardsBest African ActHerself[35]
2020Soundcity MVP AwardsBest female MVP[36]
2021Net HonoursMost Searched Musician (female)[37]
All Africa Music AwardsAll Africa Music Awards[38]
2022Nigeria National AwardsMember of the Order of NigerHerselfAwarded

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Kochhar . Nazuk . Teni rules, here's the proof . 11 November 2018 . The FADER . 18 October 2018 . 11 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181111133657/https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/18/teni-rules-askamaya-fake-jersey-african-pop . live .
  2. News: My love for Niniola stronger than music –Teni Entertainer . Punch Newspapers . 23 September 2018 . en-US . 18 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180918212233/https://punchng.com/my-love-for-niniola-stronger-than-music-teni-entertainer/ . live .
  3. News: Olatunbosun . Yinka . Teni Makanaki's Strides to Stardom . 5 November 2018 . This Day . 26 October 2018 . 6 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004746/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/26/teni-makanakis-strides-to-stardom/ . live .
  4. News: Machunga . Saminu . SPOTLIGHT: My late father will be proud that his legacy is untarnished, says Teni . 5 November 2018 . The Cable . 4 August 2018 . 6 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004924/https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/spotlight-teniola-the-entertainer . live .
  5. Web site: Shizzi's Magic Fingers Records Presents: Teni – "Amen" . 23 December 2016 . tooXclusive . en-US . 13 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232237/http://tooxclusive.com/download-mp3/shizzis-magic-fingers-records-presents-teni-amen/ . live .
  6. News: Teni Entertainer is one of Nigeria's fastest rising musicians . Akan . Joey . 23 September 2018 . en-US . 27 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170127145508/https://www.pulse.ng/buzz/teni-entertainer-is-one-of-nigeria-s-fastest-rising-musicians-id6076858.html . live .
  7. Web site: 2019-02-12 . Snazzy: A Rising Star In The Nigerian Music Scene Showcases Versatility With "Upgrade" . 2023-05-20 . The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  8. Web site: MTV Base Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks of 2018" tooXclusive . 23 December 2018 . tooXclusive . en-US . 13 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232301/http://tooxclusive.com/news/mtv-base-top-20-hottest-naija-tracks-of-2018/ . live .
  9. Web site: Teni Gets Featured As YouTube's 'Trending Artist On The Rise' . 20 February 2019 . en-US . 20 February 2019 . 21 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190221111921/https://notjustok.com/news/teni-becomes-the-first-nigerian-artist-featured-as-youtubes-trending-artist-on-the-rise/ . live .
  10. News: Teni drops new single, "Power Rangers" . 25 June 2019 . Oak TV Newstrack . Oak Tv . 14 June 2019 . 21 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190621153624/https://oak.tv/newstrack/teni-drops-new-single-power-rangers/ . live .
  11. Web site: Akinyoade . Akinwale . Teni The Entertainer Releases Highly-Anticipated EP "Billionaire" . Pulse . 11 October 2019 . 11 October 2019 . 11 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191011090950/https://guardian.ng/life/teni-the-entertainer-drops-highly-anticipated-ep-billionaire/ . live .
  12. Web site: Durosomo . Damola . Teni Drops New EP 'Quarantine Playlist EP' To Get Us Through Self-Isolation . Okay Africa . 10 April 2020 . 10 April 2020 . 12 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200412000416/https://www.okayafrica.com/teni-the-entertainer-new-music-quarantine-playlist-ep-nigerian-music-dj-neptune/ . live .
  13. Web site: 3 February 2021 . TENI ANNOUNCES LONG-AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM, 'WONDALAND . 3 February 2021 . PM News . en-US . 5 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205133807/https://thenativemag.com/music/teni-announces-wondaland/ . live .
  14. Web site: 12 February 2021 . Teni the Entertainer features Davido in new single 'For You' . 27 February 2021 . Vanguard News . en-US . 21 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210221082621/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/02/teni-the-entertainer-features-davido-in-new-single-for-you/ . live .
  15. Web site: 19 March 2021 . Teni drops debut album Wondaland' . 19 March 2021 . PM News . en-US . 19 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210319205412/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/03/19/teni-drops-debut-album-wondaland/ . live .
  16. Web site: Yvonne . Ugwuezuoha . Five Nigerian celebrities who bagged major endorsement deals in 2019 . Daily Trust . 11 April 2020 . 16 April 2019 . 11 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200411215814/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/five-nigerian-celebrities-who-bagged-major-endorsement-deals-in-2019.html . live .
  17. Web site: Jennifer . Okundia . Don Jazzy, Teni become Globacom Ambassadors . PM News . 6 October 2020 . 6 October 2020 . 20 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020202618/https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/10/06/don-jazzy-teni-become-globacom-ambassadors/ . live .
  18. Web site: HEADIES 2018:Teni Entertainer Wins 'Rookie Of The Year' Award . 5 May 2018 . Nigerian Entertainment Today . en-GB . 13 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190113232250/http://thenet.ng/headies-2018teni-entertainer-wins-rookie-year-award/ . live .
  19. Web site: Teni Gets Emotional after Winning Best New Act at Soundcity MVP Awards . Ehigiator . Sunday . 11 January 2019 . THISDAYLIVE . en-US . 13 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190113182343/https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/11/teni-gets-emotional-after-winning-best-new-act-at-soundcity-mvp-awards/ . live .
  20. Web site: The 10 Hottest Artists In Nigeria #TheList2018: #8 – Teni . 27 December 2018 . NotJustOk . en-US . 13 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190113182339/https://notjustok.com/lists/the-10-hottest-artists-in-nigeria-thelist2018-8-teni/ . live .
  21. Web site: Six Nigerian breakout stars, viral sensations of 2018 . Augoye . Jayne . 27 December 2018 . Premium Times Nigeria . en-GB . 13 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190113233834/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/302975-six-nigerian-breakout-stars-viral-sensations-of-2018.html . live .
  22. Web site: 2022-10-11 . List of Nigerian national honours award recipients 2022 plus dia categories . 2023-09-24 . BBC News Pidgin.
  23. Web site: biodunbusari@vanguardngr.com . 2022-10-12 . National Honours: Nigerians react over Teni’s attitude to Buhari . 2022-10-14 . Vanguard News . en-GB.
  24. Web site: Teni – "Billionaire" EP – mp3paw . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201102081858/https://trendybeatz.com/artist-albums/684/teni-%22billionaire%22-ep . 2 November 2020 . 8 August 2020 . Trendybeatz.com . en.
  25. Web site: Teni – "The Quarantine Playlist" EP ft DJ Neptune – mp3paw . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201101202222/https://trendybeatz.com/artist-albums/447/teni-the-quarantine-playlist-ep . 1 November 2020 . 25 September 2020 . TrendyBeatz.com . en.
  26. Web site: Teni – "WONDALAND" Album – TheCable.Lifestyle . lifestyle.thecable.ng/ . 19 March 2021 . en . 22 March 2021 . 21 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210321093134/https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/download-teni-album-wondaland/ . live .
  27. Web site: Teni Reaches Highland With Debut Album 'WONDALAND' [Review] ]. 22 March 2021 . 29 March 2021 . 22 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210322204237/https://www.mp3bullet.ng/teni-reaches-highland-with-debut-album-wondaland/ . live .
  28. Web site: 8 October 2021 . [Music] Teni – Moslado Refix ]. 8 October 2021 . Naijaloaded Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website . en-US . 8 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211008112024/https://www.naijaloaded.com.ng/download-music/teni-moslado-refix . live .
  29. Web site: 2023-12-22 . This Christmas Lyrics by Teni . 2024-06-15 . NotjustOk . en-US.
  30. Web site: 2022-06-24 . LISTEN: Teni Releases Two New Singles, 'Little' and 'Legendary' . 2024-06-15 . NotjustOk . en-US.
  31. News: Nseyen . Nsikak . Headies Awards 2018: Full list of categories, winners . 5 November 2018 . Daily Post . 6 May 2018 . 6 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181106005043/http://dailypost.ng/2018/05/06/headies-awards-2018-full-list-categories-winners/ . live .
  32. News: SoundCity MVP Awards: Full list of winners . 6 January 2019 . Daily Trust . Opeyemi . Kehinde . 7 January 2019 . 7 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190107182641/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/soundcity-mvp-awards-full-list-of-winners.html . live .
  33. Web site: Burna Boy, Teni, Mr Eazi nominated for BET awards . 17 May 2019 . 6 June 2019 . 6 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190606113106/https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/burna-boy-teni-mr-eazi-nominated-for-bet-awards/ . live .
  34. Web site: Gbenga . Bada . Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award . Pulse Nigeria . 20 October 2019 . 20 October 2019 . 19 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191019214705/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/headies-2019-here-are-all-the-winners-at-13th-edition-of-music-award/peegxqv . live .
  35. Web site: Dennis Ade Peter . 2019 MTV EMA Nominees: Burna Boy, Teni, Nasty C & More for Best African Act . Native . 10 November 2019 . 4 October 2019 . 10 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191110002203/https://thenativemag.com/communities/burna-boy-teni-nominated-mtv-ema-2019/ . live .
  36. Web site: Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards . 13 January 2020 . OkayAfrica . 4 October 2020 . 14 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200114213224/https://www.okayafrica.com/full-list-of-2020-soundcity-mvp-award-winners-nigerian-music/ . live .
  37. Web site: Net Honours – The Class of 2021 . 7 September 2021 . Nigerian Entertainment Today . en-US . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507141356/https://thenet.ng/net-honours-class-of-2021/ . live .
  38. Web site: 23 September 2021 . All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees . 27 September 2021 . Music in Africa . en . 26 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210926082124/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/all-africa-music-awards-2021-all-nominees . live .