From ‘Pana’ to ‘Palanga’, there’s a winning method to singer’s madness

“Baby Palanga,” the crowd shouts in frantic unison with the song at a popular Lagos night club.

It’s past 2am and the DJ who is fueled by the energy of the crowd cues in Tekno’s ‘Duro’, one of the many tracks in a set lasting numerous hours.

The song, a mid-tempo Nigerian pop song is a favorite across the African continent. Boasting of elegant production from DJ Coublon, ‘Duro’  was released in June 2015, but its acceptance and melody have combined to give it an extended shelf-life on Nigerian playlists, parties, events and more. It’s November 2016, and ‘Duro’ is still relevant. Perhaps more relevant than many of the hit songs that have been released in this calendar year.

Last year, Tekno’s ‘Duro’ and ‘Wash’ were more than songs. They became a state of mind in romance, as relationships and marriages depended on the delightful melody, and the nonsensical pleasing lyrics to savour moments. Lines like “Your beauty done make me realise, say NEPA don bring light”, and “If you like to watch movies, na me get Shoprite”, resonated deeply with lovers. Truly, that buzz is yet to die.

2016 has had him fire some more, giving us more hits, as ‘Where’ has achieved acceptance. His second single ‘Pana’ has exploded too and spreading like wildfire. The song has caught on in the East, the West are on it, and in street corners and clubs, ‘Pana’ is making a surge through. The video, shot by Clarence Peters of Capital Dreams Pictures, is on course to hit 9 million views on Youtube.

On that Clarence Peters-visual, Tekno takes viewers on a sensual and colourful journey through love, dances, suave looks, self-expression, isolation, happiness and romance. There are Mandarin scribblings all over the video, and a tremendous amount of the lead model in a bath. She rubs herself, blows kisses, bends in sexy ways, and makes out with Tekno (in silhouette).

Tekno is working with a formula that has propelled him to become the prince of African music. There’s a certain method to the production of ‘Duro’, ‘Wash’, ‘Where’, ‘Pana’ and ‘Diana’ that remains consistent, even in the audio and video conceptualization; Dedicate it to a girl, use a catchword/catchphrase, and infuse humor over a mid-tempo beat. Dance for that pretty, light skinned vixen in the visual, and you will score great points.

Pana’ has already been gathering statistical wins, displacing Phyno’s ‘Fada fada’ as the most played single in the country, according to data by tracking app, Playydata. The influence of this single has hit its zenith, changing the conversations around the musician.

Tekno already has the style, the skill, and the resources to grow beyond what he is. His singles are national hit songs, accelerating his growth as an artiste. He just might be 2016’s MVP if he adds an album to his momentum, and perhaps continue to shut down concerts on a cold Harmattan night in Birnin-Kebbi.