As human beings, we often tend to conceal our deepest insecurities, hiding them away in the shadows and avoiding confrontation with uncomfortable truths. Nigerian singer Teni, born Teniola Apata, can’t relate.
She possesses a unique ability to confront her deepest fears and weave them into her music, creating songs that are intimate windows into who she is as a person. This ability to be transparent is not just a choice for Teni, but a courageous act of self-discovery, an unapologetic celebration of imperfection.
“The way you have ups is the same way you have downs,” Teni tells Teen Vogue. “It's balanced. It's life. It's what makes life sweet. You enjoy and appreciate the good times, and you also appreciate the bad times too because it ushers in the good times and it teaches you how to appreciate [them].”
At the beginning of 2021, the Lagos-based singer and songwriter released her very first album, WONDALAND. The album presents a nuanced portrayal of exhilarating and painful experiences with poetic ease. Through songs like "XXXL," addressing body image and cultural pressures, "Hustle," delving into the struggles of creatives in Nigeria, and "Dad's Song," exploring the relationship between her father's death and her own success, Teni's music is fearless.
WONDALAND was a success, propelling Teni into the global spotlight and solidifying her reputation as an artist unafraid of vulnerability. “I just wanted to have fun with WONDALAND,” she says. “I just wanted to do something that made me feel like I was in Disney World, because I go every year, but during COVID I couldn't go.”
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Since then, Teni has navigated the evolving landscape of fame and creativity, challenging norms imposed on artists, especially female artists. She stands as a symbol of liberation, encouraging others to embrace and celebrate the unfiltered intricacies of the human experience. She expresses frustration with the expectation for artists to create art without revealing their true selves: “People say they want your art, but they don’t want the artist to express themselves in truth. How am I supposed to be myself when I’m supposed to be overly conscious? You want me to give you good music, but you cannot accept me for me. I’m the way I am; accept me, and you must allow me to tell my truth.”
When we first chat in February, she’s grounded and present. Her ease with communication flows back with confidence and authenticity, creating an atmosphere of genuine connection. She’s built a successful career as one of the most prominent women in the Nigerian music industry, and her poise and professionalism is clear in the way she listens — attentive, and above all, thoughtful. As we delve into the details of her new sophomore album, Tears of The Sun, she’s honest about where she’s been and where she’s going, and she can’t wait for what’s next.
Teni’s origin story begins in Lagos, where she discovered her passion for singing at a young age. Despite obtaining a degree in Business Administration from American Intercontinental University in Illinois in 2018, she had always known that music was her true calling. "Growing up for me was very fun, thanks to my parents (my mom especially). I was allowed to be social, and my mom allowed me to explore my artistic side," she recalls. "Being 17 years old going to uni, that was also growing up for me because I had to leave my family. For the first year, I was alone until my sister joined me, and I just learned to figure out life by myself."
In 2016, as Nigerian music was gaining significant mainstream traction in the U.K. and the U.S., Teni diligently honed her craft. Though studying in Illinois, she wasn’t listening to American artists, instead drawn to musicians like Wasiu, Adewale Ayuba, and Shola Allyson. “You won’t believe that I actually learned how to speak Yoruba very well after I left Nigeria, just from watching Yoruba movies on YouTube,” she says. Her debut single “Amen” came out in December 2016, and with the release of subsequent tracks such as "Fargin," "Wait," and "Askamaya," she began to establish herself as a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary music scene.
However, it wasn't until 2018 that her musical brilliance was truly illuminated, evidenced by the release of two electrifying singles, “Case” and "Uyo Meyo.” A defining moment in her ascent, both tracks showcased Teni's raw musical acumen, catapulting her into the forefront of the industry. Her debut EP, Billionaire, followed in 2019, and that same year, she earned nods for a BET Award for Best New International Act and an MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act before teaming up with DJ Neptune on The Quarantine Playlist EP in 2020.
“Anything that comes from my heart always flies, and 'Uyo Meyo' came from the bottom of my belly. It took me seven years to graduate, and I was just so happy because finally, I could focus on music,” she says. “My younger sister graduated before me, and you know how Nigerian families and some aunties would just throw shade because my younger sister graduated before me. I had watched everyone win, and I felt like it was my turn to celebrate.”
Teni's musical journey has been a remarkable one, devoid of any significant lows. Since her big break in 2018, she has been on a meteoric rise with the release of two acclaimed EPs and an impressive repertoire of singles. Her sophomore album, Tears of the Sun, which came out November 17, is a new era of her career. On it, she embraces a deeper sense of self-reflection, building on the themes of her previous work and using singles like “No Days Off,” “Lanke,” and “Malaika” to reorient and enhance her artistic expression.
She shares insights about the creative process of putting together this project, revealing that she is now fully invested in speaking her mind and pouring out her soul. She claims that this album is all about authenticity, and she has no intention of holding back. "On this project, I ain't giving no f*ck,” Teni says to Teen Vogue a few days before the album drops. “I'm just trying to talk my shit, that's it. I just want to talk about my everyday struggles and the things I deal with. My pain, love, tears, sex, money, and everything."
That viewpoint comes from a year of heightened scrutiny, both about her music as she becomes more and more famous, and her body. Since sharing a snapshot on Instagram in November 2022 of herself donning a chic white long-sleeved top and colorful striped palazzo pants, the singer has been the subject of comments and articles about her recent weight loss. Reflecting on the way people talk about her, Teni is composed yet slightly exasperated.
“People just be saying anything they want.,” Teni says. Only she has been witness to the ups and downs of her life, the hard work she’s put into her and her existence, the day-to-day of living and growing as a person in ways that are so much more than just physical. She’s learned so much about herself the past few years. “When people were talking, I just laughed. I know myself.”
Knowing herself has allowed her to become even more vulnerable in her art. “I was very intentional about capturing my emotions, acknowledging my humanity,” Teni says. “While I was a happy child, adulthood brought various experiences like success, fame, and wealth. Alongside the positive aspects, there were challenges. I wanted to encapsulate what I was going through during the album's recording into the project. So, each song is a reflection of that period in my life.”
Revealing her multifaceted artistry across 16 dynamic tracks, Teni celebrates the evolution of her distinctive sound in her latest record. Throughout the album, Teni's exceptional vocals take center stage, harmonizing seamlessly with sunlit funk guitars, blissful synth arrangements, and a flawless integration of sultry numbers such as “Devil Dance,” “Control,” and the recent single “Malaika.” As the album reaches its emotional zenith, Teni delivers stirring ballads, including the atmospheric closing track “How.” The seamless fusion of diverse musical elements, coupled with Teni's undeniable charisma, transforms Tears of The Sun into a complete and immersive musical experience.
This autobiographical journey commences with the opening track, "YBGFA (Young Black Girl From Africa)," where Teni shares a poignant narrative of her roots, accompanied by graceful piano and sublime vocal melodies. “I'm so sorry I'm not what you thought I was/And I can never be the thing you're wishing that I was,” she sings. “This is who I am/take me for who I am.”
It’s a message that’s close to her heart both in and out of music. Teni is engaged in philanthropy that supports education, particularly for young girls. She emphasizes the need for providing more opportunities for girls, citing her own experiences in the music industry where she had to overcome structural and personal challenges. “I had to fight to do music because nobody understood why I was dressing the way I was dressing or why I was singing the way I was singing,” she says. “I believe education is key to fostering independence, and allowing individuals to make their own decisions and thrive without external constraints … enabling them to contribute positively to society and reach their full potential.”
Teni imagines her younger self, and what guidance she would give to a teenage Teni if given the opportunity. It’s a straightforward message: “…Don’t worry…don’t worry,” she says, quietly, assured.
Credits:
Photographer: Lindsay Perryman
Photo Assistant: Keya Goldfein
Art & Design Director: Emily Zirimis
Designer: Liz Coulbourn
Executive Editor: Danielle Kwateng
Senior Culture Editor: P. Claire Dodson
