BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
With full album ‘Tears of the Sun’ on the way, one of the most unique and exciting voices on the scene Teni sends hearts soaring on her uplifting new single ‘Malaika’, out November on Platoon.
‘Malaika’ is built around an enchanting Afrobeats groove, with Teni showing off her melodic vocal range over a soundscape of synth melodies and bass. The Genio-produced track sees Teni take time to offer thanks to God for helping her through the pain and successes.
Acting as a spiritual ode in her personal journey towards evolution and transformation since her last album, ‘Malaika’ is the third single taken from Teni’s hotly anticipated sophomore project, which comes out on November 17.
The 16-track LP sees the Afro-pop star expanding her sound in celebratory style, from the feel-good anthem ‘Lanke’ produced by the award-winning Blaisebeatz (Wizkid, Davido, Asake, Ty Dolla Sign), to the mega-hit ‘No Days Off’, which is already approaching four million streams and named one of Rolling Stone Best Songs of 2023 So Far.
Teni’s latest release continues a momentous 2023 for the artist. Earlier this year, she made her debut on COLORS, featured on Stormzy’s latest album ‘This Is What I Mean’ and has previously collaborated with Wizkid and Davido.
Then there was the success of last year’s ‘MAITAMA (Going)’, a head-turning collaboration with Mayorkun, Ch’cco and the late Costa Titch, as well as a recent rework of Bob Marley & The Wailers classic ‘Three Little Birds’ with Oxlade.
Teni is known for uplifting, stylistically eclectic songs that stand apart from her Afro-pop contemporaries. She first came to prominence in 2018, when a series of songs including ‘Case’ found a streaming audience numbering in the millions.
Her debut EP, Billionaire, followed in 2019. The same year she was nominated 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 next year’s The Quarantine Playlist EP. Teni’s acclaimed LP ‘Wondaland’ followed in 2021, with the star going independent that same year.
Fast forward to 2023 and ‘Malaika’ is yet another truly melodic gem from Teni, offering a tantalising glimpse of her upcoming album ‘Tears of the Sun’ coming soon on November 17.
Image: Supplied
