New Interview Series: Q&A with Afrobeats singer, Teemanay
The Nigerian-born singer is on a roll
In between my reports on touring, traveling and performing raga jazz around the world, I am pleased to start an interview series where I spotlight talented artists who are shaping the scene across all genres. In today’s interview, I chat with Teemanay, a.k.a “Young Icon,’” an International Award winning Afrobeats singer, songwriter, and producer, born in Nigeria.
His latest single, Call Me, reached #35 on the Billboard charts, and the singer was on the Grammy®- nominated album, The Fury, by Antonio Vergara in 2025. Here, I catch up with him in a quick Q&A.
Where were you born? What was your first musical memory or experience?
I was born in Delta State, Nigeria, the last of five kids in a humble family.
My first musical memory was at the age of 6 when my mom bought my first keyboard gift, I played it everyday until it became my favorite instrument and I was able to do a talent showcase in my school singing and playing the keyboard.
Where did you get your musical training?
At the music church choir back home in Delta State, Nigeria at an early age of 12. That was where I got my first musical training and after those few early years I never stopped, I then progressed into songwriting and production.
What were some of your most profound musical inspirations and why?
Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Craig David and Chris Brown.
They were both revolutionaries and fearless in their Art, I grew up listening to both of them and they influenced my style of music till today, Afrobeats and Reggae. Craig David and Chris Brown were more of a borrowed influence from my elder sisters catalogue, I grew to love his music overtime and later looked forward to being as talented as him, that is why there is a touch of RnB in my sound, thanks for Graig and Chris.
What are some of your goals for 2025?
To release my debut album, embark on a world tour, feature in my first movie, do more charity work, and win a Grammy!
Teemanay teamed up with Grammy®-winner Alexx Antaeus to release the single, Freedom, recently
How did Call Me reach #35 on Billboard?
I remember prior to release I kept promoting for two weeks on my social media platforms to fans and supporters, I asked them to pre-order on iTunes as well as pre-save on Spotify, I then registered my release on “Luminate” as I do for all my songs before release date, and after release I never stopped promoting through live performances and social media daily.
Luminate helps you monitor song sales and streams which then allows the count to be submitted to billboard for possible debut if it reaches a good weekly sale count. That was how my single got on billboard, I owe it all to fans for buying my music on the music stores.
Take a wander to the artist’s social channels (his Instagram alone garners over 294k followers) and immerse yourself in the zany, addictive world of Teemanay’s Afrobeat, heart-pumping work. You won’t regret it!