Award-winning artiste and entertainer Teniola Apata, also
known as Teni has shared her views on feminism, dealing with the loss of a
loved one, and the inspiration behind her hit single – Uyo Meyo.
Teni bared it all in an emotional interview with the host
and founder of Joy, Inc. – Chude Jideonwo, where she also discussed her debut
album “Wondaland”.
The Dr Dolor Entertainment star released her debut album
titled ‘Wondaland’ with 17 tracks on all digital platforms in the early hours
of Friday.
Award-winning producers such as Pheelz, Damayo, Tempoe,
P.Prime, Millamix, Krizbeatz, and Ozedikus worked on the album, with Davido as
the only featured artiste.
Coming from a wealthy home, Teni was used to getting her
way. However, after the death of her trusted assistant, she soon realised that
death wasn’t something that could be solved with money, phone calls or
connections.
She also revealed that it was at that moment that she
discovered that she wasn’t “invincible”.
The death of her assistant wasn’t Teni’s first encounter
with losing a loved one. She also lost her father at a very young age. This
tragic loss is the inspiration behind the song-Dad’s Song-on her recently
released debut album, ‘Wondaland’.
“Dad’s song is a song for everyone that has lost someone.
Dealing with loss is crazy because people tell you that you’ll get over it, but
you never get over it. You just don’t get over loss”, said Teni.
“When I was recording this song I was sitting in my living
room and watching my father’s funeral-his body in the casket, my mother crying.
I needed those emotions to be able to record that song in its true form.
Everything I sang had to be from a place of truth”, she continued.
Teni spoke rather fondly of her father, describing him as “a
genius” and “a man deserving of idolisation”. She also revealed that her father
planned ahead for the family, such that even after his death, she was still
able to go to school in the United States, and her family could live a decent
life.
When asked about her hit single Uyo Meyo, Teni told Chude
that her being able to finally graduate after several challenges was her inspiration.
“Not being able to graduate on time slowed me down from my
music. My parents said, ‘if you’re going to make music, you have to graduate’.
I was very frustrated”.
“I remember I was in a car driving to my graduation when I
recorded the song, and I was just thinking of all my hard work. My mum is from
Ondo, and so Uyo Meyo means, when others win, and you celebrate with them, your
own too will come.
“I was happy for my younger sister when she graduated before
me, and when my turn finally came, I was happy, and that’s where that song came
from”, she said.
In 2020, Teni’s tweet about feminism sparked controversy
amongst Twitter users.She, however, explained to Chude that she was
misunderstood and that sometimes words don’t always come out the way you want.
Teni further highlighted that growing up in a polygamous
family with three mothers who were in control of her late father’s assets; she
had no reason to look down on “feminists”.
“Feminism to me is a lifestyle; in fact, it’s a movement. I
have always stood up for equal rights. I am coming from a place where women
were in control. It is important for women to take charge. I have seen women do
it, so I know it’s possible”, she continued.
The show ended with Teniola highlighting her greatest life
lesson, “Life has taught me to be patient, life has taught me to believe, and
life has taught me to never give up on myself”, she said.
#WithChude is a special series of targeted multimedia
conversations and investigations focused on narratives that enable and
strengthen the mind, heart, and spirit.
New episodes of #WithChude show every Saturday at 9 pm on
TVC Entertainment, with reruns every Sunday on Wazobia TV at 5 pm and every
Thursday on EbonyLife TV at 7:30 pm.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com