Afro-Fusion artist Tena Tenpo, who performed on the stage with Plaster of Paris (POP) on his leg, had an interview with Quadri Akanbi backstage. He revealed why he came on stage with POP, among other disclosures in a question-and-answer session. Excerpts.
What is your type of music?
Afro-Fusion.
So, there was a song that you sang on the stage which was about losing someone; close to you, what is the idea behind that?
It was a special dedication to my friend and brother (Otunba). Otunba used to work right around the corner of the shrine before he went out one day and never came back since 2018. Otunba if you can see this, or if you are still alive, I don’t know, but it means you can come back home, brother.
The fact that you have an injury on your leg and you are not even shy to show your fans about it, what is the motive behind it?
Music is everything I live for. I don’t have an excuse not to perform when I have the opportunity to. I love music, I would rather do music than listen to my doctor that says I should lay in bed for months. I came to pay homage to one of the people that inspired me in life, which is Fela.
Fela played a big role in who I am today, and if I was called here to perform today, who am I not to? It is a gift that was given to me by God, and I don’t joke with it. So, I am going to give back in any way I can; whether it is with a broken heart or a broken leg; as long as I am not dead, I will always turn up.
So, what is your advice for the upcoming artist that can boost their confidence?
My advice is “Never Give Up”. If you truly love something, you must go after it, or else, you don’t love it. Which means you are just capping. No matter the condition, for example, myself, I am here, not minding what I am going through. So, keep going, keep pushing. Your time is different from everyone’s time. The journey is between you and God.
Have you ever been denied an opportunity due to your leg injury and what was the cause of the injury?
The injury was from an accident, and I have not been denied any opportunity, not to my knowledge. I actually chose the opportunities I go for and the ones I don’t go for. But I will go for an opportunity personally as long as it is worth it.
