Teni was born on December 23, 1992, in Lagos, Nigeria, and hails from Ekiti State. She is the ninth of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Apata. Her father, a retired Brigadier General, was tragically slain in 1995 when Teni was just two years old.
Growing up, Teni attended Apata Memorial High School before pursuing higher education in the United States, where she earned a degree in Business Administration from the American InterContinental University. Teni’s musical journey began early; she played the drums in her school band and often sang loudly in the hallway with her siblings, as they were not allowed to leave the house.
Teni is also the younger sister of fellow musician Niniola, reflecting a family deeply connected to music and the arts.
Teni initially joined Shizzi’s Magic Fingers Records and released her debut single, “Amen.” In 2017, she moved on to sign with Dr. Dolor Entertainment after leaving her previous record company. Her rise to fame began with the release of the single “Fargin” in September 2017.
Teni’s breakthrough came with the release of hit singles such as “Askamaya,” “Case,” and “Uyo Meyo.” “Askamaya” was particularly successful, securing the 15th spot on MTV Base’s Top 20 Hottest Naija Tracks of 2018 list.
On February 20, 2019, Teni was featured as YouTube Music’s Trending Artist on the Rise. She continued to release new music, including the “Sugar Mummy” video on May 3, 2019, and “Power Rangers” on June 14, 2019.
On October 11, 2019, Teni released her self-titled debut EP, “Billionaire,” which featured six tracks without any guest appearances. The EP was produced by Pheelz and Jaysynths Beatz.
In April 2020, Teni collaborated with Nigerian DJ Neptune to produce an EP titled “Quarantine Playlist.” This EP reflects various stages of quarantine life and explores the challenges of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic. The four-track EP features primarily mid-tempo production by Tempoe, P. Prime, and Dra.
On February 2, 2021, Teni disclosed the title and anticipated release date for her upcoming debut album, “Wonder Woman.” She has released two studio projects and numerous singles throughout her career.
Teni’s talent and hard work have earned her several accolades. In 2018, she received the Most Promising Act to Watch at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and was named Rookie of the Year at the Headies Awards. She also won Best New Artist at the 2018 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
NotJustOk ranked Teni eighth on its list of the 10 Hottest Artists in Nigeria, and Premium Times recognized her as one of the six Nigerian breakthrough stars and internet sensations of 2018.
Drawing inspiration from everything around her, Teni creates a diverse array of music. Her admiration for Wasiu Ayinde’s work shines through in her own songs. She views music as a spiritual force, believing it has the power to transform people’s perceptions.
