Nonso Amadi and Teni The Entertainer are changing the game!
These rising stars are pushing boundaries, creating their own lanes and capturing a global audience. They are sparking new energy in the industry while creating a unique sound that is helping to push The Next Generation.
The two artists who are contributing to the evolution of the Nigerian Music Industry as we know it covers OneTribe Magazine.
Read excerpts from their feature below:
How did you get started in Music?
Nonso: When I was in University, I met a friend that produces music and he introduced me to different production software and we learned together. I was always trying to impress people with my production, asking them what they thought of it, and I fed off their feedback.
Teni: Music has always been a part of me since I was young. I used to drum from governors such as Maruwa, Fashola, and Tinubu. I was also in the school band, everybody in my family was in the school band. I was always around music.
Where does your creativity come from?
Teni: I like to take myself to places with my lyrics. I use the power of my mind to take myself to different places and feel different energies. For example, “Fargin” was simply freestyling. You’d never see me taking pen and paper to write a song down from scratch. I just go to the microphone and put words together.
How did your parents react to your switch to music?
Nonso: It was bad. My dad called me after he found out I did a show in Toronto. He was really angry and I told him this is what I do on the side, it’s not affecting my school but he wanted me to stop or he would disown me. I told him I didn’t care, I’m going to do me. It was a really dramatic scene. He eventually came to one of my sold out shows in Nigeria and saw the turnout and decided to give me a couple of years to do my thing. They’re watching me from the side now.
How do you feel about how women are viewed in the industry?
Teni: The music scene for women is getting better. Women are taking charge, doing great things. The likes of Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Niniola, and so on are starting to hold big concerts outside the country. It didn’t use to be like that. We just have to keep supporting one another.
What’s your creative process?
Nonso: It’s not planned, everything comes as it comes. I could just be on a train and an Idea hits me and I record it immediately on my phone. When I get the chance on my laptop, I’ll try to bring it out exactly how it was in my head.