Tekno is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer renowned for his melodic Afro-pop sound and knack for infectious, danceable records. With global hits like “Pana,” “Duro,” and “Skeletun,” he is widely regarded as one of the defining voices of the mid-2010s Afrobeats wave, and has continued to evolve as an artist and producer well into the 2020s.

Early Life & Education

Born Augustine Miles Kelechi on December 17, 1992, in Bauchi State, Nigeria, Tekno hails from Ivo Local Government Area in Ebonyi State. Growing up in a military family, he lived across multiple states including Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Abuja. He developed an interest in music at the age of 8, enrolling in a music school where he learned to play both the piano and guitar — a foundation that would later inform his career as a self-producing artist.

Career Beginnings

Tekno began his professional career under K-Money Entertainment, releasing his breakout single “Holiday” featuring Davido, which gained massive airplay. In 2012, he was spotted by comedian Julius Agwu at an event in Abuja, where he received a standing ovation after performing a remix of Ice Prince’s “Oleku.” He subsequently met Iyanya and manager Ubi Franklin, who encouraged him to move to Lagos. On October 5, 2013, he signed with Made Men Music Group (MMMG), releasing singles like “Dance” and “Anything” which earned him a nomination for Best New Act of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Breakthrough

Tekno’s 2015 single “Duro” — produced by DJ Coublon — became a smash hit across Africa and charted internationally, peaking at number 5 on Capital XTRA’s Afrobeats Chart. Its remix featuring Phyno and Flavour extended its reach further. He followed up in 2016 with “Pana,” which became one of the biggest Afrobeats songs of the decade. Elton John played “Diana” on his Rocket Hour show on Apple Music in 2016, bringing Tekno international attention, and Billboard named him one of the top 10 hip-hop and R&B talents to watch in 2017.

International Recognition

Tekno’s profile grew globally through a string of high-profile collaborations. He produced Davido’s smash hit “If,” co-produced Swae Lee and Drake’s “Won’t Be Late,” collaborated with Ciara on “Freak Me” (2018), and was featured on Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack on “Don’t Jealous Me” (2019). In June 2018, he signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group Nigeria and the UK-based Island Records. In December 2012, Drake posted photos with Tekno on Instagram, signalling global industry respect.

Debut Album & Continued Growth

After nearly seven years of hit singles, Tekno finally released his debut studio album Old Romance on December 11, 2020, via Island Records and Cartel Entertainment. The 14-track solo project — with no features — showcased his range across Afropop, R&B, neo-soul, and dancehall. In 2022, he featured on Kizz Daniel’s global smash “Buga,” which became the most Shazamed song of the year. His second album, The More The Better, followed in September 2023.

Awards & Recognition

• MTV Africa Music Awards – Best New Act (2016)
• Nigeria Music Video Award – Best Pop Extra Video (“Duro”, 2015)
• Billboard – Top 10 Hip-Hop & R&B Talents to Watch (2017)
• Featured on Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift (2019)
• 600 Million+ Spotify streams – 28th Nigerian artist to achieve the milestone
• Multiple Nigeria Entertainment Award nominations

Recent Developments

Tekno has remained active with a steady stream of releases including “Jericho,” “Wayo,” “Diallo,” “Powerbank,” “Alhaji,” and “Prada” in 2024–2025. He surpassed 600 million Spotify streams in 2025, cementing his legacy as one of Nigeria’s most streamed artists.

Legacy

Tekno’s ability to craft effortlessly melodic Afropop — rooted in his self-taught musicianship and production skill — has made him one of the most influential figures in the genre’s global expansion. From “Duro” to “Pana” to “Buga,” his fingerprints are on some of the most-played African songs of the last decade.