Nigerian Afrobeats star Tekno has revealed that he refunded more than $1 million after losing his voice at the height of his career, describing the period as one of the darkest times of his life.
Tekno Refunded Over $1 Million After Losing Voice
Speaking in a recent interview with Cool FM, the singer recalled the financial and emotional struggles that followed a vocal condition which forced him to cancel several shows. Tekno said the situation became so severe that he could not afford surgery at the time.
“I was refunding so much money over $1 million worth, that was very dark. Even after my surgery, I couldn’t pay for the surgery,” he said.
Financial Struggles Despite Peak Career Success
The singer explained that a performance in Cameroon, booked a year earlier, eventually helped him cover his medical bills. “I received approximately $110,000 for the show but was left with only $3,000 after covering my expenses,” he added.
Tekno noted that the experience shifted his outlook on life. He admitted he could have questioned why the health challenge struck at the peak of his career, but chose instead to focus on the positives.
“For me, I really understand that life is a journey. All of us here, everyone in this room, we are all just experiencing life in our own way. It’s like I could be mad at myself or be mad at God, saying why me, why at the time where I was literally sitting on top of everything and lose my voice. I could focus on that or I could focus on the fact that happened and I’m able to still wake up and smile and laugh and then keep doing what I do which is music,” he said.
Fans React to Tekno's Story
Legit.ng compiled the reactions of netizens below:
- @hymnself022: “Life go just happen ?♂️?♂️?♂️”
- @ruphc: “You’re paid over $100k for a show before Burna Ye Era and Before Calm down Era. Brah you were probably the among the highest paid Afrobeat artists of that Era”
- @welistixxx: “Omo the million dollars even small sef...man had to forego life and career changing collaborations with Drake and OVO team that would have set him miles ahead of everyone in the industry”
- @Seyiquadri: “Jesus christ for money wey you refund ....... You returned what they paid you, no loses nah”
- @meo_joule: “Great to see his recovery. Life throws the craziest curve balls.”
- @Eddys_Hair: “Over a million refunded? That’s brutal ?”
Tekno Speaks on Wizkid's Influence on His Career
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that singer Tekno confirmed his popular track “Rara” drew its core inspiration directly from Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba.” Speaking on a recent podcast, the singer explained that both songs share the same musical progression. He added that he was shocked when he learned that Afrobeats superstar Wizkid almost shelved the classic record before its release.
