The "Unbelievable Rivalry" Between Niniola & Teniola.

Apr 26, 2020 12:37 PM

Last year, when American international superdiva, Beyonce decided to work alongside top African artists on the soundtracks album “The Lion King: The Gift,” she produced and curated, not many were aware that Nigerian singer Niniola was a part of that project.

Niniola didn’t lay her voice on any of the tracks but she was one of the composers in the album nominated for the Best Pop Vocal album at the 62^nd Annual Grammy Awards. And for her contribution to the highly successful album, the Recording Academy, organisers of the prestigious Grammy Awards, last week sent Niniola a certificate of recognition.

One artiste who felt specially elated was Teni Entertainer. A very proud Teni had taken to her Instagram page to congratulate Niniola and said there would be an online after-party to celebrate the amazing achievement soon.

“Congratulations to my sister @officialniniola on your Grammy award!! So so proud of you! Congrats to the entire APATA FAMILY ON THE WIN OF OUR DAUGHTERS GRAMMY!!!!! ONLINE PARTY COMING SOON!!!!!” she wrote.

Ordinarily, Teni’s message would easily been seen as girl supporting girl thing. But the relationship is deeper.

Not a few knew Niniola and Teniola both are children of late educationist and founder of popular Apata Memorial Schools, Isolo, Lagos – Chief Simeon Olaosebikan Apata. 

In the last few years, the two blood sisters —Niniola and Teni— have joined the army of young, talented rising stars changing the face of the music industry in Nigeria.

Many have likened them to Beyonce and Solange Knowles. But these young ladies of songs have said they are two different brands trying to take over the world.

According to music pundits, the Apata sisters understand authenticity and individuality. Clearly both sisters share different tastes in style —what they wear and how they wear what they wear is an expression of their individuality.

Musically, they have really tried. Within a short space of time, Niniola and Teni are undoubtedly among five exceptional female artistes that have done exceptionally well in pushing Nigerian music to the world.

“I recall my elder sister, Niniola, and I used to disturb everyone at home with our music sessions, so it has always been part of us,” said Teni on the foundation of how they crept out of the underground scene to the front burner of the industry radar.

The real game started for Niniola when she hit the limelight as a runner-up at the MTN Project Fame West Africa 2013, while her younger sister, Teni hugged the limelight following the release of Fargin, her freestyle song that rocked the airwaves both in the United States and in Nigeria.

Niniola’s success at the popular music talent hunt show piggybacked her into the Nigerian entertainment scene as a talented performer, singer and songwriter with the release of her debut hit single Ibadi in 2015. The song topped many music charts both locally and internationally which created no doubt that she is among the most promising acts in the music industry.

For Teni, music has also been in her DNA. Right from age 7, she played drums at festivals with governors (past and present) in attendance including Buba Marwa and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu). When she went to America to study Business Administration and Marketing at America InterContinental University in Atlanta, at a point, it became glaring to her that it wasn’t quite where her heart was.

So, while pursuing her academic endeavor, Teni equally gave her passion in music of same dose. She however made a name for herself on YouTube about eight years ago, where she performed comedy just to get comfortable on screen. Her fans loved it, but they liked it even more when she sang. So Teni incorporated her voice into her videos and her fans were hooked.

Explaining the origin and what Fargin mean, Teni said Fargin is the same as “Virgin” but said with a Yoruba accent. “I was bored one day and freestyled off my friend’s phone and that was it. Fargin is a common Nigerian conversation of men trying to seduce young girl into sex. But honestly, this song is about sex education and rape culture in the African community. I want to inspire women to be confident in being virgins, and that it is okay to wait. It is okay to practice safe sex even if it’s not cool. I hope when young girls hear this song, they understand that they don’t have to be pressured to have unprotected sex. I’m a virgin and I’m very proud of that.”

Obviously, from the buzz ever since, Teni has shown she is a bundle of talents. Since her rise to fame, the singer has refused to slow down with her monstrous hits that have even made Nigerians forget the harsh conditions in which they live in.

Like Niniola, her sister, she is one singer with distinct style and vocals. On how she could best described her sound, Teni feels her sound is generic. “It’s different and people love the authenticity in my voice,” she said.

A big fan of indigenous rapper Olamide, the plus-sized singer has her kind of music rooted in local hip hop flavour. Teni is signed to Oluwaseyi Akerele popularly known as Shizzi’s Magic Fingers. The feel good singer feels blessed signed to work with the experienced producer and hitmaker who has lend his magical finger on the works of top acts like Davido, Wizkid, Wande Coal, Meek Mill, and Runtown.

“It’s the best feeling in the world. I feel blessed to be signed to my brother. He gives me the freedom to explore different sounds. Shizzi is someone that I’ve learnt so much from and there’s no better person to share greatness with, than him. He believed in me since the first time I met him in 2013,” said Teni.

The two sisters thoroughly understand what family is and both know that music cannot be esteemed over blood.

Speaking of her little sister’s rising music career, Niniola said: “Teniola is my baby sister and when her song, Fargin trended, I felt very good. I remember we used to sing together on the stairs in our house with our other siblings and relatives. There were times when we would stick our heads out of the window singing and shouting.

“I am very happy about my sister’s growth because it means that I would not have to look over my shoulder to know if she is moving up the ladder of success. I remember when she was coming into the music industry, she told me that she did not want to be in my shadow and I agreed with her. She just decided to come into the industry on her own bearing her name, Teni, and not Niniola’s sister.”

When Teni was asked to comment on her sister and how her works affect her own push for success? She said: “I’m proud of her and how she has accomplished by setting good examples and laying a good path. Her work doesn’t affect me rather it encourages and inspires me to be a better musician…

“Since I was little, she has always been there for me. She has made me grounded and to understand certain things about music. She also told me to go out and prove myself. As long as my sister is in my life, I am happy. Our happiness is the most important thing to me, even before music. Till date, she makes sure I don’t go astray in anything I do in life,” Teni summed.

The sisters both have had their works appreciated and nominated for different big awards. Like Niniola’s Grammys recognition, her little sister, Teni has been recognized internationally snagging both BET and MTV.