Tekno is the real deal

Acts like 2Face, P-Square, Timaya, Davido, Wizkid, D’Banj and Flavor are among the artistes who have made Nigeria rise to the summit of world music.

The Naija conveyor belt has now given us Augustine Miles Kelechi, better known as Tekno.

This Friday, Alexandra Sports Club in Harare will be the place to be for music lovers as the venue plays host to the award-winning singer.

The show is organised by new kids on the block, TripLife Entertainment, which recently brought in Tarrus Riley. Complementing the Naija element are Zimbabwean stars Winky D, Takura, Simba Tagz, Raydizz, XQ, Judgment Yard, Gary Tight and Reverb 7.

Some people are skeptical about the outdoor venue considering that this is the rainy season, and TripLife are erecting a tent that can accommodate 20 000 people.

Tickets are pegged at US$10 for early birds, with standard tickets going for US$20 and the Golden Circle US$40 on the day.

People who enjoy clubbing will confirm that when it comes to Naija music, Tekno’s hits – which include “Go”, “Pana”, “Samantha”, “Yawa”, “Rara” and “Duro” — are rarely missing on DJs’ playlists.

Coming onto the scene in 2012, it only took Takno about a year to establish himself in the industry with hits like “Dance” and “Anything”.

His influence has been growing with popular R&B star Rihanna proving to be a fan by not only playing “Yawa” at her Fenty launch party, but also posting a video of herself listening to “Mama” in her car. Tekno has not been playing around. He’s been nominated for gongs at the Nigeria Entertainment, BET, Nigeria Music Video and MTV Africa Music awards.

His trophy cabinet is already loaded having bagged a Nigeria Music Video Award for Best Pop Extra Video in 2015 and an MTV Africa Music Award for Best New Act last year.

Despite the popularity of Naija music on the local entertainment scene, local fans were last treated to a Nigerian performer in 2015 when Davido staged a show at Belgravia Sports Club.

Wizkid was scheduled to perform last year but failed to do so under unclear circumstances besides making it into the country.

One of the biggest shows ever staged in Zimbabwe was headlined by Nigerian duo P-Square in 2012.