Teni's Cries Expose the Financial Strain on Nigeria's Independent Artists

Image: Afrobeat singer Teniola

The glittering success of Afrobeats on the global stage often overshadows the formidable challenges artists face within Nigeria. Teniola Apata, the acclaimed singer behind the infectious hit “Case,” has pulled back the curtain on these struggles with a candid Instagram revelation.

Teni offered a stark perspective on the relentless demands of being an independent artist. She poetically underscored the constant pressure, stating that such artists cannot afford more than “10 minutes” of sleep, highlighting a reality far removed from the perceived glamour of the music industry.

According to the singer's narrative, while preparing to release a new album, Teni reached out to a music director, only to be quoted an astonishing fee of Fifty Million Naira. This experience led her to a sobering conclusion: such exorbitant financial demands are actively “damaging artists' careers.”