Teni releases 'Maitama,' her best single in a minute: Could she be set for a run?

In 2016, Nigerian singer, Teni transformed from busking on the streets of Atlanta to an internet sensation, or as some called it, ‘The Female Falz.’ She used her mastery of accents and characters, as well as her comedic sense to craft an alluring personality, which set the base for her musical career.

Although she represented a difference from what the typical Nigerian female pop star was, her personality had set the stage for her hitmaking tendencies.

After ‘Amin’ dropped in December of that year, the following year brought ‘Fargin’ and ‘Wait.’ To close out the year, she released ‘Askamaya,’ a play on a popular strip club. She then won Rookie of The Year at the Headies and couldn’t be stopped. The following year, nobody can still explain how ‘Fake Jersey’ didn’t become a 2018 World Cup sensation.

ALSO READ: How Teni and Shizzi went from family to sworn enemies

But ‘Case’ and ‘Uyo Meyo’ became two of her biggest hits ever. 2019 started on an uncertain note, but she bounced back with ‘Billionaire,’ a smash hit, which directly led to her spectacular year-end show at Eko Hotels. But since then, uncertainty has crept in and with it came a parched debut album.

Although the album produced the hit single, ‘For You’ as well as the fan favorite, ‘Hustle,’ it felt like she suffered hit a creative block. Her freewheeling delivery style, which had endeared her to fans and which gave her the superstar reps, seemed to have expired. Although Wondaland has more good songs than it gets credited for, it suffered a perception and familiarity problem. And when that happens plaudits are hard to give. People can only endorse what they holistically enjoy.

In between those runs, songs like ‘Marry’ and ‘Dorime,’ which ordinarily had ‘hit signature’ fell under the radar, unfairly. Perhaps, it was because people craved something different. To her credit, Teni never stopped. Neither did she give in. Between ‘Dorime’ and her latest single, ‘Maitama,’ Teni was a part of nine singles - yes, nine.

But all the while, what she needed was a holistic change in approach. Not just in sound, but in technique. She did attempt the totally different direction on ‘One Day,’ which was a beautiful ballad. However, the song possibly gave people passive ‘Uyo Meyo’ vibes. But nobody can still explain why and how ‘My Way’ didn’t work. It was a spectacular song.

And this writer advises that Teni re-release the song at some point in the future.

Nonetheless, she is back with ‘Maitama,’ an Amapiano-infused track, which sees her present as someone totally different within the opening seconds of its first verse. As she sang, “Don’t know where I am going, but I’m going somewhere,” Teni sounded like a European singer. That difference should be sufficient for people to pay attention.

In fact, the song sounds like nothing Teni has done before. And that line, “Don’t know where I am going, but I’m going somewhere,” sounds like something straight from the heart. On the production side, Jaysynths and IlleriXO did a madness. The fact that Teni tapped illeriXO for work shows that she or someone around her is paying attention.

For a lot of reasons, this is her least polarizing single in a minute. And with the right budget, Teni could actually have an incredible upcoming few months. On the strategy side, she has already tapped Mayorkun and Costa Titch. Which means the song also has crossover potential.

But the marketing has to be right. The song is already amazing.