Nigerian singer, Teniola “Teni“ Apata has expressed her views on feminism and women empowerment.
In a recent episode of #WithChude, the singer called for equal rights and noted that it is important for women to take charge.
“Feminism to me is a lifestyle; in fact it’s a movement. I have always stood up for equal rights. I am coming from a place where women were in control. It is important for women to take charge. I have seen women do it so I know it’s possible,” she said.
The singer also revealed the inspiration behind Dads Song; a track from her recently released debut album and Uyo Meyo, her 2018 hit single.
Speaking on Dads Song, Teni said she recorded the song while watching footage of her father’s funeral. She added that the song came from a place of pain and helping others deal with such pain.
“Dad’s song is a song for everyone that has lost someone. Dealing with loss is crazy because people tell you that you’ll get over it, but you never get over it. You just don’t get over loss,” she said.
“When I was recording this song I was sitting in my living room and watching my father’s funeral, his body in the casket, my mother crying. I needed those emotions to be able to record that song in its true form. Everything I sang had to be from a place of truth.”
For Uyo Meyo, she said that the song was was inspired by her graduation from the university after dealing with several challenges.
“Not being able to graduate on time slowed me down from my music. My parents said, ‘if you’re going to make music, you have to graduate’. I was very frustrated,” she said.
“I remember I was in a car driving to my graduation when I recorded the song, and I was just thinking of all my hard work. My mum is from Ondo, and so ‘Uyo Meyo’ means, when others win and you celebrate with them, your own too will come.
“I was happy for my younger sister when she graduated before me, and when my turn finally came, I was happy, and that’s where that song came from.”