Renowned for her distinctive and exhilarating vocal style, Teni brings her tender side to the forefront in her latest single Lanke. Following her recent single No Days Off, which has amassed nearly three million streams and earned recognition as one of Rolling Stone’s Best Songs of 2023 So Far, as well as her successful collaboration MAITAMA (Going) from the previous year with Mayorkun, Ch’cco, and the late Costa Titch, and her rendition of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ classic Three Little Birds alongside Oxlade, Teni’s latest single continues to showcase her diverse musical style and remarkable melodic prowess. She has previously made notable appearances on platforms like COLORS, contributed to Stormzy’s album This Is What I Mean, and collaborated with prominent artists such as Wizkid and Davido.
The official music video, directed by Syx, showcases Teni’s self-assured demeanor through an empowering visual, set in Ghana. The video celebrates all things female and shows Teni joyfully throwing money into the air, reveling in life while singing the phrase “I feel good”, surrounded by a harem of video vixens. The vibrant video also marks the introduction of Teni’s eyewear collaboration with the renowned African fashion brand, Shushi. In this visual, she offers a sneak peek of ‘Sugar Mummy’s,’ an exclusive eyewear design from her upcoming collection.
Produced by the award-winning Blaisebeatz (known for collaborations with Wizkid, Davido, Asake, Ty Dolla Sign), Lanke is an infectious anthem set against a backdrop of ethereal synth melodies, warm bass lines, and vibrant Afropop rhythms, all harmonizing beautifully with Teni’s versatile and genre-blending vocals. The track’s sunny harmonies and gently rising chord progression infuse it with an endearing warmth that guides it to a sweet conclusion – a perfect summer vibe.
Reflecting on the single, Teni shares, “Life has ups and downs. Enjoy the moment either up or down.” She encourages listeners to maintain a positive outlook regardless of life’s hurdles, “Feel good, regardless of what life throws at you. Always feel good. Omo Lanke is someone who owns a wheelbarrow. You never see a person that owns a wheelbarrow drive straight. Good or bad, we stay pushing, we don’t stop, we keep going. We appreciate the good, we learn from the bad.”
Teni is acclaimed for her uplifting and stylistically diverse music, setting her apart from her contemporaries in the Afro-pop genre. She initially gained prominence in 2018 with hits like Case, amassing millions of streams. Her debut EP, Billionaire, followed in 2019, and she received nominations for a BET Award for Best New International Act and an MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in the same year. In the subsequent year, she collaborated with DJ Neptune on The Quarantine Playlist EP. In 2021, Teni released the well-received album ‘WONDALAND’ and ventured into independence.