Teni Nigerian music quality criticism sparks debate as the singer blames social media obsession for declining creativity in the industry
Teni has criticised what she described as a decline in the creative quality of Nigerian music, blaming the trend on artists placing greater focus on social media relevance than artistic development.
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The singer made the remarks during an interview on Beat 99.9FM, where she reflected on the current state of the Nigerian music industry and compared it with earlier generations of performers.
According to Teni, contemporary music lacks some of the originality and strong performance culture associated with influential acts such as Plantashun Boiz, Sound Sultan and P-Square.
She argued that the issue is not rooted in talent or limited access to resources, noting that today’s artists have more opportunities, advanced production tools and wider digital platforms than previous generations.
Instead, Teni suggested that many musicians are now more concerned with gaining online attention and validation than improving their craft or building lasting artistic identities.
Her comments followed concerns raised during the interview about repetitive sounds, declining lyrical depth and a growing lack of distinction among emerging Nigerian artists.
The discussion has reignited wider industry debates over whether commercial trends and social media culture are beginning to overshadow originality within Afrobeats and Nigerian pop music.
Teni’s remarks have since generated strong reactions online, with fans and critics divided over her assessment of the current music scene.
While some agreed with her concerns about creativity and artistic depth, others argued that the evolution of music styles reflects changing audience preferences and the demands of the digital era.
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The singer’s comments add to ongoing conversations about the future direction of Nigerian music and the balance between commercial success and artistic integrity in one of Africa’s most influential entertainment industries.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
