The more Tekno, the better

11 Sep 2023 - 17:48

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Close to three years have passed since the release of Tekno’s debut album Old Romance – an eternity on the Afrobeats calendar. Add this time gap to the reality that the singer hasn't exactly enjoyed repeated viral success lately – or at least the kind that stamped him firmly as a hit monster between 2015 and 2017, thanks to offerings like 'Duro', 'Pana', 'Diana' and 'Yawa' – and the reservations about his relevance seem tenable.

Tekno.

But the exploits of fellow Nigerian Kizz Daniel's 'Buga', which co-stars Tekno, proves that the genre hasn't necessarily moved on from him, even if his vocal participation on that song was negligible. The singer's work has also quietly accrued more than 2 billion streams across major digital platforms.

On the hook of 'Peace of Mind', taken from his just-released sophomore collection The More The Better, he touts his patience and unshakable knowledge that his “time is now”. On 'Twice Shy', also from the project, he assures himself: “I dey my comfort zone with confidence.”

Tekno's new record is all him, save for a single guest appearance by Love Nwantiti hitmaker CKay. It is fine, tidy and irresistibly warm – like something curated to sit with, or for a long drive. Throughout its 13-track duration, the singer hardly strains a note, his voice (which has survived vocal cord surgery) almost caressing the instruments on which it cruises.

“Vibes go bring melody,” he sings on the album's title track. This is likely what has always inspired his method (this album included). Additionally, he is jovial – that is his pathology – and you hear it in the fluffiness of his lyrics, which ruminate over typical pop obsessions like serenity, romance and wealth.

But he is also attentive to groove, a key determinant of pop success. A consistent combination of the above has strengthened his reputation. A producer at heart, even his voice provides complementary percussion, particularly on submissions like 'Peppermint' and 'King of Pop'. He's not too given to Afrobeats' current amapianosms, instead drawing from the verandas of sounds from East and francophone Africa, augmented by vocal samples and references, smooth chords and bright guitar trills. If you go through his catalogue, these are traditional to him. Sometimes, innovation means re-tinkering old tactics.

While Tekno's measuring rod has always been singles and not albums, The More The Better is a reminder that his gentle, splendoured binoculars boost Afrobeats' broader landscape and, perhaps, leave it better off. It also works as a gateway for a larger discussion about his influence.

Afrobeats has become even more populated since Tekno's heyday, with a fresh wave of promising talents popping up each week. Still, Tekno need not worry. The more, the better.