In a recent interview with media personality Taymesan, Teni revealed that she was only two years old when gunmen stormed their Lagos, Nigeria home and assassinated her father Brig. Gen. Simeon Apata (retd.) in her presence. This news has come as a shock to many.
This traumatic event affected her deeply, causing her to develop trust issues while growing up. Teni expressed her pain at losing a father figure, saying that his passing robbed her of a vital support system. She was also distressed that the assassins had come to their home with the sole purpose of killing him.
She stated “You know, him being assassinated in the presence of all of us and all that stuff. I was 2 at the time”. While adding “Him passing away robbed me of a father figure. It sort of made me have trust issues growing up. Because they [gunmen] came into our house purposely to kill him.”
Teni, whose real name is Teniola Apata, is a talented Nigerian singer, songwriter, and entertainer. She released her debut single “Amen” while signed to Shizzi’s Magic Fingers Records. She has gained critical acclaim for hits like “Askamaya”, “Case”, and “Uyo Meyo”. Teni experienced a breakthrough year in 2018 when “Askamaya” was ranked as the 15th hottest Naija track of the year by MTV Base.
In recent years, Teni has continued to assert her status as one of Nigeria’s most talented musicians. She released her debut EP, the “Billionaire EP,” in October 2019, which featured six tracks and no guest appearances. She also partnered with DJ Neptune in April 2020 to release the Quarantine Playlist, a four-track EP that broadly dealt with the challenges of being in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her February 2021 debut album, “WONDALAND,” was crafted over a two-year period in cities like London, New York, Orlando, Ondo, Lagos, and Abuja. Production for the album was handled by several acclaimed producers, including Pheelz, Damayo, Tempoe, P.Prime, Millamix, Krizbeatz, and Ozedikus.
In addition to her music career, Teni has also been committed to her weight loss journey. She has shared her progress with her fans on social media platforms, inspiring many people to embrace healthier lifestyles. Despite the trauma of her father’s assassination, Teni remains a talented and determined artist who has carved out a niche for herself in Nigeria’s music industry.
