Teni
MON
Teni The Entertainer performs at Blaqbonez concert London 2022
Teni The Entertainer performs at Blaqbonez concert London 2022
Background information
Birth nameTeniola Apata
Born (1993-12-23) 23 December 1993 (age 30)
Lagos State, Nigeria
GenresAfro
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • entertainer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2016–present
LabelsDr. Dolor Entertainment

Teniola Apata MON (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".[1] "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

As lead artist
Year Title Album
2016 "Amen" Non-album single
2017 "Fargin"
2018 "Wait"
"Pareke"
"Lagos"
"Askamaya"
"Fake Jersey"
"Shake Am"
"Case"
"Pray"
"Uyo Meyo"
2019 "Party Next Door" TBA
"Sugar Mummy"
"Power Rangers"
2020 "Marry" Non-album single
2021 "For You" ft Davido Wondaland
2021 "Dorime" Non-album single
As featured artist
Year Title Album
2018 "Rambo" (Dr. Dolor featuring Teni) Non-album single
"Pray"
"Aye Kan" (Shizzi featuring Teni and Mayorkun)
2019 ‘’Sound’’ (Diamond Platnumz) feat. Teni

‘’Laye Mi’’ (Codest Boi) feat. Teni

Non-album single
2020 Fuji Pop (Ojayy Wright featuring Teni) Non-album single
Writing credits
Year Title Album
2017 "Like Dat" by Davido Non-album single

Awards

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (July 2016)
Year Award ceremony Prize Recipient Result Ref
2018 The Headies Rookie of the Year Herself Won [29]
Soundcity MVP Awards Festival Best New Artist Won [30]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Promising Act to Watch Won
2019 BET Awards Best New International Act Nominated [31]
The Headies Best Pop Single "Case" Won [32]
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Recording of the Year "Uyo Meyo" Won
Best R&B Single Nominated
Viewer's Choice Herself Won
Best Vocal Performance (Female) Teni for "Uyo Meyo" Won
MTV Europe Music Awards Best African Act Herself Nominated [33]
2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Best female MVP Won [34]
2021 Net Honours Most Searched Musician (female) Won [35]
All Africa Music Awards All Africa Music Awards Pending [36]
2022 Nigeria National Awards Member of the Order of Niger Herself Awarded

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Kochhar, Nazuk (18 October 2018). "Teni rules, here's the proof". The FADER. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  2. ^ "My love for Niniola stronger than music –Teni Entertainer". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  3. ^ Olatunbosun, Yinka (26 October 2018). "Teni Makanaki's Strides to Stardom". This Day. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  4. ^ Machunga, Saminu (4 August 2018). "SPOTLIGHT: My late father will be proud that his legacy is untarnished, says Teni". The Cable. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Shizzi's Magic Fingers Records Presents: Teni – "Amen"". tooXclusive. 23 December 2016. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  6. ^ Akan, Joey. "Teni Entertainer is one of Nigeria's fastest rising musicians". Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Snazzy: A Rising Star In The Nigerian Music Scene Showcases Versatility With "Upgrade"". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  8. ^ "MTV Base Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks of 2018" tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 23 December 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Teni Gets Featured As YouTube's 'Trending Artist On The Rise'". 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  10. ^ "Teni drops new single, "Power Rangers"". Oak TV Newstrack. Oak Tv. 14 June 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  11. ^ Akinyoade, Akinwale (11 October 2019). "Teni The Entertainer Releases Highly-Anticipated EP "Billionaire"". Pulse. Archived from the original on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  12. ^ Durosomo, Damola (10 April 2020). "Teni Drops New EP 'Quarantine Playlist EP' To Get Us Through Self-Isolation". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  13. ^ "TENI ANNOUNCES LONG-AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM, 'WONDALAND". PM News. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Teni the Entertainer features Davido in new single 'For You'". Vanguard News. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Teni drops debut album Wondaland'". PM News. 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 19 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  16. ^ Ugwuezuoha, Yvonne (16 April 2019). "Five Nigerian celebrities who bagged major endorsement deals in 2019". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  17. ^ Okundia, Jennifer (6 October 2020). "Don Jazzy, Teni become Globacom Ambassadors". PM News. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  18. ^ "HEADIES 2018:Teni Entertainer Wins 'Rookie Of The Year' Award". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 5 May 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  19. ^ Ehigiator, Sunday (11 January 2019). "Teni Gets Emotional after Winning Best New Act at Soundcity MVP Awards". THISDAYLIVE. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  20. ^ "The 10 Hottest Artists In Nigeria #TheList2018: #8 – Teni". NotJustOk. 27 December 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  21. ^ Augoye, Jayne (27 December 2018). "Six Nigerian breakout stars, viral sensations of 2018". Premium Times Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  22. ^ "List of Nigerian national honours award recipients 2022 plus dia categories". BBC News Pidgin. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  23. ^ biodunbusari@vanguardngr.com (12 October 2022). "National Honours: Nigerians react over Teni's attitude to Buhari". Vanguard News. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Teni – "Billionaire" EP – TrendyBeatz". Trendybeatz.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  25. ^ "Teni – "The Quarantine Playlist" EP ft DJ Neptune – Trendybeatz". TrendyBeatz.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Teni – "WONDALAND" Album – TheCable.Lifestyle". lifestyle.thecable.ng/. 19 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Teni Reaches Highland With Debut Album 'WONDALAND' [Review]". 22 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  28. ^ "[Music] Teni – Moslado Refix". Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  29. ^ Nseyen, Nsikak (6 May 2018). "Headies Awards 2018: Full list of categories, winners". Daily Post. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  30. ^ Kehinde, Opeyemi (6 January 2019). "SoundCity MVP Awards: Full list of winners". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Burna Boy, Teni, Mr Eazi nominated for BET awards". 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  32. ^ Bada, Gbenga (20 October 2019). "Headies 2019: Here are all the winners at the 13th edition of music award". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  33. ^ Dennis Ade Peter (4 October 2019). "2019 MTV EMA Nominees: Burna Boy, Teni, Nasty C & More for Best African Act". Native. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  34. ^ "Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards". OkayAfrica. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  35. ^ "Net Honours – The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  36. ^ "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music in Africa. 23 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
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