TENI INTERVIEW: From Coachella to Madison Square Garden to headlining The MURAL Festival of Montreal, TENI is one of the most sought-after names in the African music industry having toured over 50 cities. Get familiar…
What five words define your sound?
Authenticity, soul, love, culture and experience.
Tell me something unique about your creative process
Well, my creative process can take on different forms, depending on how I’m feeling. I just let myself be free. I try to connect with what the universe wants me to say and decide what I want to talk about and how I’m feeling in that moment.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
The song of mine I would like people to hear first right now is definitely, ‘Money’. It’s a very special song to me.
What inspired you to make that song?
I wrote ‘Money’ at the beginning of Covid, during lockdown. The world was shutting down and everyone was afraid and uncertain. I had just flown back to Nigeria from a crazy tour and all of a sudden, we couldn’t go out and people were dying. Almost like the universe wanted all of us to pause and give us a reset. I remember how hard it was for people to feed themselves and their families and I wish I could have helped everybody and I couldn’t. I also saw wealthy people die, money couldn’t save them, so I said, “money don’t buy you happiness, it can’t buy you love, it can’t feel this emptiness, but I want all the money in the world.”
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
I really allowed myself to be vulnerable when writing my song called ‘Dad’s Song’ on my first album, ‘Wonderland’. I wrote it while I was watching his funeral on CD as I was making the song with the producer. Yes, that’s definitely it.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
I’m lucky to have so many beautiful experiences, so I can’t even say that I have a “best” experience. I just love being on stage performing for people.
What is your favourite song to perform?
A song called ‘Uyo Meyo’ – I really love performing that song! But now that I’ve released ‘Money’, I think it will be my new favourite and I can’t wait to perform it.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
‘Afrodisiac’ by Brandy… *sings* “You’re my afrodisiac, yes you are”
What’s the meaning behind your name?
My name is Teniola, which means “Lady Mat of Wealth” in Yoruba.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
Honestly, I can’t imagine a life where I’m not making music. If I had to choose another “career,” I’d probably be a lawyer. But I don’t want to think about a life without me making music!
What’s success to you?
To me, success is happiness. Success is many things – it’s fulfilment. It’s impact. It’s giving back. It’s doing the things that you set out to do and surpassing your expectations. For now, my efforts are set on winning a Grammy!
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
I realised while at university that the school thing isn’t for me, man. I just knew pursuing music was it for me, honestly. I’m glad that I did end up finishing my studies at university, but I’m even more glad that I chose to chase my dreams in the end.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
Keep in touch with me on IG, TikTok, and all my socials (@TeniEntertainer)
Photo by Rich Woods
