“Challenges are inevitable in every relationship. It's the willingness to work through them that fosters growth and deeper connection.” – Anonymous. Even the sweetest love has its own rocky moments, and that is exactly what Tekno has brought to us in his new single, ‘Wayo.’
Last year, the Headies award winner, Tekno took us on an electrifying ride with his album ‘The More The Better,’ that was full of Afrobeat rhythms with contemporary pop sensibilities. Each track of the energetic album served us a series of irresistible grooves, vibrant melodies, and dance-worthy beats. Every emotion ranging from euphoria to liberation was felt as he dragged listeners from upbeat tracks to ballads, flaunting his versatility as an artist.
Augustine Miles Kelechi, popularly known as “Tekno” has demonstrated his excellent skills in songwriting, producing, and singing ever since his debut in 2015. Born on December 17, 1992, the 32-year-old artist has infused his footprint in the music industry over the past nine years through essential Afropop classics like ‘Duro’ and ‘Pana’ that garnered him praise from musical curators such as Billboard and Rolling Stone. With his mastery of the distinctive fusion of Afrobeats, Afropop and R&B, he successfully captured the hearts of international artists like Billie Eilish, who proclaimed him as her “favorite artist ever.”
With a groundbreaking new partnership between his Cartel Music imprint and global independent label emPawa Africa, the brainwave behind the international music sensation, Mr. Eazi, he has dropped another hit, ‘Wayo’ as his first song in the label. As a trailblazer for Afrobeats, Tekno has penned and produced hits for the likes of Davido, Swae Lee, and Drake, titled ‘If’ and ‘Won’t Be Late,’ respectively, which both got a RIAA Gold certification.
‘Wayo' is written and produced by Tekno and Grammy Award-nominated hitmaker ShugaVybz, and it sees Tekno reassuring his lover of his pure intentions and undying devotion over infectious percussion, hypnotic synths, and lush guitars and directed by Forbes 30 Under 30 filmmaker Dammy Twitch, and starring Nollywood sensation Uzoamaka Aniunoh, complementing the song's narrative of resilient love. The beautiful scenery of Lagos where it was shot, input additional ambience denoting the bubbling scenery of their daily lives.
‘Wayo’ – which means to “scam” or “deceive” someone in Nigerian slang, encompasses the message of true feelings in his confession to his lover and clear intentions, “I no come do wayo”. With his sexy and beautiful proposal, he asked if he would get a return if he invested in her love. This is leaving us with the fact that love is an emotional business for the singer, and he’s only interested in investing it in someone who will reciprocate his energy and make it worth it by emphasizing on his need for peace. “Give me peace my baby / call me my baby.”
The official music video opens with a lovey-dovey scene between the couple as they make finger-heart symbols on a date. Filled with several romantic mushy moments, the artist impressed it hard on our hearts that love has to be fueled with several happy moments from dates, hangouts, words of assurance, and setting your differences aside.
“Love no easy eh,” which was the opening lyrics, signified that the artist had a sojourn through all the good and bad emotions that come with loving someone. “Do you really believe in this thing called love?,” showcased his fear even in the sweeping wave of his emotions which is absolutely valid. He went as far as confessing that he’s not in for a scam love because investing in an emotional business with no promising return is too risky, “If you no be real o, I no do again o / Abeg, I no come do wayo.”
‘Wayo’ brings to life a heartfelt narrative of love, resilience, and forgiveness. As smooth as the love appeared to be, it hit a rocky bump at some point which caused a temporary separation between the couple. A series of explanations, assurances, retracing of steps, admission of faults, and fixing of loopholes must have happened behind the scenes as the music video closed up with their reconciliation scene. Love is indeed a beautiful thing.
To sum up, ‘Wayo’ can be used as an illustration of the emotional rollercoaster in a relationship. With its lyrics filled with expressed intentions, desire for peace, and a declaration of undying love, we can only conclude that Tekno has gifted several couples out there a melodious track to proclaim their love to their partners and also set things right for a lasting relationship. Tekno’s over two million subscribers on Spotify are once treated to a tantalizing banger, and we can only expect more of it from the superb artist in the near future.
