On the back of his acclaimed 2023 album The More The Better, and as he embarks on his North American tour next month, afrobeats icon and award-winning Nigerian musician and producer TEKNO is excited to usher in a new musical era with his brand new single titled ‘WAYO’. Written and produced by Tekno and GRAMMY Award-nominated hitmaker ShugaVybz, this new single is the first offering to come out of his ground-breaking new partnership with emPawa Africa, the innovative independent label founded by Mr Eazi, which will see Tekno becoming an investor and partner in the label.
Driven by infectious percussions, hypnotic synths, and lush guitar arrangements, and held together by Tekno’s enchanting vocal performance and captivating storytelling, ‘Wayo’ – which means to “scam” or deceive someone in Nigerian slang – sees Tekno reassuring his lover of his pure intentions and undying devotion to her, making sure to let her know, “I no come do wayo”. The glorious new offering also comes with a cinematic music video set against the vibrant city of Lagos, and starring Tekno and Nollywood sensation Uzoamaka Aniunoh as a couple navigating the highs and lows of their relationship.
Directed by Forbes 30 Under 30 filmmaker Dammy Twitch, who has also worked with the likes of Davido, Yung Bleu, and DaBaby, the music video for ‘Wayo’ brings to life a heartfelt narrative of love, resilience, and forgiveness, beautifully complementing the song’s resonant lyrics and rhythm. Taking viewers on a vivid journey through the bustling streets of Lagos Island, the video captures the essence of the city’s pulsating spirit and dating culture, with the visuals emphasising the themes of love and forgiveness, showing how Tekno and his lover overcome their relationship challenges.
‘Wayo’ is also the first fruit of Tekno’s ground-breaking new deal with emPawa Africa, the brainchild of global music star Mr Eazi. Their game changing joint venture will see Tekno’s Cartel Music imprint releasing some exciting new music via emPawa Africa, with Tekno also set to become a partner and invest in emPawa Africa in its next capital call round. With emPawa Africa revered as a trailblazer in discovering and nurturing talent across the continent, Tekno’s ability to foster budding talent perfectly aligns with the company’s ethos. This strategic partnership promises an infusion of fresh perspectives, and unparalleled value, in sync with both parties’ mission to empower African creatives.
Speaking about his new partnership with Mr Eazi’s emPawa Africa, Tekno says, “This strategic alliance with Empawa promises to be a gamechanger for the African music industry and a beacon of opportunity for artists. We look forward to seeing how this partnership will catalyse the growth of emPawa Africa, its artists, and the broader African music ecosystem”, with Mr Eazi adding how, “With this deal with Tekno and Cartel Music, we are ushering in a new phase of emPawa. This phase will see us partnering with African artists at different stages of their career who want to maintain financial and creative freedom, yet move from talent for hire to equity participation. It’s a first-of-its-kind deal for afrobeats”.
MORE ABOUT TEKNO
With over 2.5 billion global streams, award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer Tekno stands as a trailblazer and one of the most crucial voices to come out of Africa. Since his debut in 2015, Tekno has consistently captivated global audiences with essential afropop classics including ‘Duro’ and ‘Pana,’ earning critical acclaim from tastemakers such as Billboard and Rolling Stone, as well as high praise from international stars like Drake and Beyoncé, with Billie Eilish even declaring Tekno as her “favorite artist ever”. With a unique blend of afrobeats, R&B, and afropop, Tekno resonates internationally, evidenced by his vast and devoted fanbase, including over 20 million social media followers.
Further highlighting his significant influence on the global music scene, Tekno’s prowess extends beyond his vocal talents, and his production skills have significantly shaped the rise of afrobeats worldwide. He penned and produced Davido’s global hit ‘If’, and ‘Won’t Be Late’ by Swae Lee and Drake, both of which have achieved RIAA Gold certification. Tekno has also collaborated with pop royalty including Beyoncé, Ciara, and Fally Ipupa. His impressive list of achievements includes an MTV Africa Music Award, and two Headies Awards (Nigeria’s GRAMMY equivalent), as well as a BET Award nomination.
JUNE 2024 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
June 7 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto
June 8 – Mural Festival, Montreal
June 13 – Irving Plaza, New York City
June 15 – The Filmore, Silver Spring, MD
