Spotlight On Teni
Teniola Apata, known professionally as Teni or Teni The Entertainer, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entertainer born on December 23, 1993, in Lagos State.
She is also the younger sister of Nigerian singer Niniola. Teni’s educational journey took her to Apata Memorial High School and later to The University of Georgia, where she eventually earned a degree in business administration from American InterContinental University.
In her career, she made a notable breakthrough during the period of 2016 to 2019. She released her debut single, “Amen,” while signed to Shizzi’s Magic Fingers Records. Afterward, she joined Dr. Dolor Entertainment in 2017, where her fame began to rise. Notable singles during this period included “Fargin,” “Askamaya,” “Case,” and “Uyo Meyo.”
“Askamaya” was even ranked 15th on MTV Base’s list of the Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks in 2018.
In 2019, she was featured on YouTube Music’s Trending Artist on the Rise and continued to release hits like “Sugar Mummy” and “Power Rangers.”
Her debut EP, “Billionaire,” arrived in October 2019, showcasing six tracks and no guest appearances. She also collaborated with DJ Neptune in April 2020 to release “The Quarantine Playlist,” which delved into the experiences of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her most significant project to date is her debut album, “WONDALAND,” which was announced in February 2021 and took over two years to craft in various cities across the world. The album’s production featured contributions from notable names in the industry, making it available on multiple music platforms.
Teni’s achievements and endorsements have also garnered attention. She secured endorsement deals with Tom Tom and Globacom Nigeria. She has won several awards, including Rookie of the Year at the 2018 Headies Awards, Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and Best New Artist at the 2018 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. Her success and talent led her to be ranked on various lists of the hottest artists in Nigeria.
In October 2022, Teni was conferred the Nigerian National Award, Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), by Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, although her approach to receiving the award stirred some controversy on social media.
Teni’s discography includes the studio album “WONDALAND” (2021), the EP “Billionaire” (2019), and “The Quarantine Playlist” (2020).
Her unique style and captivating music have firmly established her as a prominent figure in the Nigerian music industry.
