The resilient singer and songwriter, Teni Makanaki or Teni the entertainer as popularly known, continues to enlarge her fanbase as she recently dropped a single hit titled ‘Uyo Meyo’.Teni claimed numerous gongs in 2018 plus her most recent ‘The Best New Artist Award’ following a couple of setbacks ever since she came to limelight with her first single in 2016. Teni Apata, who hailed from Ekiti State but resident of Lagos has been an inspiration to young hustlers out there as vast majority who follows the time has turned her lyrics to the anthem that keeps them fighting and feel re-surged.
This time she thoughtfully spiced her recent release with an Ondo dialect which has become the headline of different culture-driven talks amidst indigenes and outsiders. Statistically, a whole lot of people using the ‘Boomplay’ mobile app or any music player has it second to none on the list as a result of the number of play it had every passing day and the memoir shared which are forever gone.
THE MESSAGE
The ‘Uyo Meyo’ jam with the repeated line “Uyo Meyo Leun Osan Plan mi o e!” as earlier tagged ‘Ondo dialect’ translates to “The way I rejoice over what is good, now my own turn (to rejoice)” meaning she had long celebrated people in their moment of elation and now is the time for her to be celebrated. This attitude established in her song has arguably been her Unique Selling Point because a lot of downhearted humans want to be freed from soul-dampening junks – interestingly the song got a sustainable measure of grit and a soul-lifting energy. Teni presumably belted out what would intrigue the masses, create a winning yet never-give-up mentality and challenge young minds belonging to different background in their career pursuit. The hook of the song has Teni declare to the world that the wins and greatness that was achieved by her late dad was going to be attained and surpassed by her. She declares that no dream is too big or small to be achieved by anyone who is ready to become great.
THE BEAT
A Yoruba high-life beat having some real similarities with music made by Yoruba Iconic High-life Musician like Ebenezer Obey is dominated by lots Talking drums and a groovy baseline. The use of wood and a steady drop of the kick pedal with the use of the shekere as the hats in this song gives it a steady and cool party feel. The use of electronic guitars married with a high pitched octave key sound gives it a a feel of a life band in a regular Nigerian Wedding party. The producer kept it simple allowing Teni flow in her natural music style. ‘Uyo Meyo’ has been emphatically tipped by listeners and fans to be an award-winning jam for ‘Headies Next Rated’ award slated for a future month. Teni continues to play some strings with her rapport with famous artists Nigeria-bound artists. Hopefully she can take a step further putting Nigeria on the map again and making Africa proud. The aforementioned single will of course be evergreen.
THE VIDEO
The video of this song was not well planned and packaged. This video should have been given same attention like Wizkid’s Surulere song. This song is a reflection song and should have kept Teni in a Reflection state. A use of flashback methods and vocal scene would have improved the video. Adding up rushes from events she has been in is not just cool for a song as soul lifting as this.
Credits: Dolapo
