Teemanay Is Making His Musical Dreams Come True One Step At a Time

This musician’s work envelopes listeners into the vibes and story. His music creates an enjoyable experience for fans listening at home or live in concert. Teemanay is the Afrobeat artist that is creating music to not only make others feel good but show the influence that an artist like him can have in New York City. 

Teemanay’s road to a musical career is similar yet different from other artists. His love and appreciation for music came from his parents who would play music everyday on their gramophone, with a huge catalog to choose from. Another influence in Teemanay’s childhood was being gifted musical instruments for special occasions. “I can remember for one of my birthdays they got me a keyboard and then I fell in love with the keyboard,” Teemanay said. 

Although music was a big part of his life, Teemanay was a science oriented person in his adolescent years. “I was going to be a doctor, but I was so crazy about music and somehow I finished medical school and I was later able to face my passion,” he said. Music had been one of Teemanay’s passions but he didn’t know how to express that desire of creativity. Teemanay mentioned that he finished medical school to fulfill his family’s educational goals before he could focus on what he really wanted.

Photo Credit: Ndumbeland Films

Working hard as an independent artist, a day in Manhattan became life changing for Teemanay and his career. “I was in the car with my manager and we were having a conversation and somebody just came out of the building we were parked at,” Teemanay recalls the story. “Someone just came out of the building in all white and I was like I know that guy that’s Akon.” 

Little did Teemanay know that the singer, songwriter, and record producer Akon was on the way to meet him. “He was like ‘Yo Tee, I’m a big fan of your music.’ What? Hold on, big fan of what? My music? Not only did I meet Akon, he had already heard my music? That day was amazing,” Teemanay said. 

He was then offered a deal and is now signed to the Konvict Kulture record label. Ecstatic to hear the news, Teemanay also knew that there was going to be a lot on his shoulders moving forward in his career because he wants to be certain that he has earned his spot. “When I found out that I was going to be signed I was really excited but at the same time I knew that much is given and much is expected,” he said.

Being signed to a label will allow Teemanay to gain more opportunities like networking and global expansion. “This is going to expand and put the music out there to more people because every fast-rising artist deserves an expansion, deserves to be heard,” he said. In business terms, Teemanay sees his music as a completed product that needs to be put out into the market, and Konvict Kulture is the exposure that he needs to make that possible.

Photo Credit: Ndumbeland Films

Teemanay is also an artist part of the Find Your ID NYC creatives. Which is another way that he exposes his music to fans and new listeners when performing at events. “It’s always been a symbiotic relationship, where FYID reaches out to me if they need me for stuff relating to Afrobeats and African music, and then I reach out to them if I need them regarding platforms,” Teemanay shared.

With pandemic restrictions slowly lifting, concerts are beginning to return for Teemanay’s fans and listeners. For many artists, performing live is their favorite part of the job. “I love making music, I love the process of creating music in the studio and writing music, but I love performing. I love being on stage and singing live,” Teemanay said. 

He has headlined at the Nigerian Festival in New York and put on his own show in October at the Shrine World Music Venue in New York City. Teemanay Live was the first show that was all his own. The show was sold out, and “to see the amount of people that came to support, that felt really great,” Teemanay said.

Photo Credit: Ndumbeland Films

Performing his songs gave Teemanay an array of feelings throughout the night. “I got very excited and I was dancing at some point, but I think I really loved performing Vibes,” he said. His song Vibez is the single that inspired the theme of the night, “this vibe is addictive.” Seeing the way people would sing along to the song made Teemanay excited about the effect his music has on his audience. 

The Shrine show also featured Afrobeat and African artists based in the United States that Teemanay and the host Glitteratie curated. Prince Bright, Sudxn, PeedaProfit, Empress Afi and KingPlu are just some of the artists that performed. 

“We always import artists back home from Africa, so we were trying to tell people that we are also African and we are very talented, and we are here,” Teemanay said. “Living here doesn’t make us any less Afrobeat artists. So every one of them did really well from the first to the last before it got to me. I watched every performance and I felt like I’m excited for them and I look forward to working with them again.”

Photo Credit: Ndumbeland Films

Getting this far into his career was not easy, Teemanay shared advice for artists who are beginning their musical careers. “If you’re really starting off and you believe in this then trust the process,” he says. There will be many no’s before you get a yes, and trusting the process will be worth it at the end.

Teemanay also says to take the stairs over elevators to success. “The stairs don’t go up and come down because you’re climbing upwards, so if you’re going down it’s you that is the force pushing yourself backwards,” he said. “Climb the stairs to your destination and when you get there, you’re going to experience and appreciate the journey because you know what it took you to get there.” 

Finally, Teemanay advises artists to let people who believe in them the most be part of their team, whether they have the knowledge or not. “The reason I say this is because when it comes to the time of big decisions, you may not see the bigger picture, it’s only the people around you that see the bigger picture for you,” he said.

To support Teemanay in his musical journey, listen to his songs and anticipate the release of his 2021 debut single this December titled “Wine Am.” Listeners can also follow him on Instagram to stay connected and updated on what is to come. “Stay tuned for more vibes, because the vibe is addictive,” Teemanay said.