Ten years after its release, Tekno's 'Pana' remains fresh, exciting, and a reliable party starter, cementing its place as one of Afrobeats' greatest songs. Released on July 22, 2016, the track captured the mood of an expanding soundscape where new innovators were introducing fresh sounds to Nigerian pop music.
The Birth of 'Pana' and the Ghana Bounce Influence
In the mid-2010s, Afrobeats was gaining international momentum. While leading stars Wizkid and Davido made bold moves into the American market, other artists found inspiration closer to home. In 2015, Mr Eazi returned to Nigeria from Ghana with a sound called 'Ghana bounce,' which Nigerians embraced through hits like 'Skin Tight' and 'Holl Up.' Nigerian artists quickly domesticated the sound, but none did it on the scale of Tekno's 'Pana.'
Produced by Kritzbeat, 'Pana' combined dreamy Ghana bounce, classic Afrobeats colloquialism, and infectious melodies to create a monumental hit that swept across the continent. From Lagos to Accra, Malabo to Cape Town, it became an African anthem, transforming Tekno from a fresh-faced multi-hyphenate into a mainstream superstar.
Award Season Dominance and Critical Acclaim
'Pana' dominated award seasons, winning Song of the Year at the Soundcity MVP Awards Festival 2016 and Certified Banger of the Year at the tooXclusive Awards. It also earned nominations for Best Single of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2017 and Best Song in Lyrics at the COSON Song Awards. The music video, directed by Clarence Peters, received four nominations at the WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards 2016, including African Video of the Year and Best African Male Video. That same year, Tekno won Best Breakthrough Act at the MTV Africa Music Awards.
In 2020, TurnTable Charts selected 'Pana' as the biggest song of 2016 in its list of Afrobeats' greatest songs. The track also holds a place on Pulse Nigeria and Billboard's lists of the greatest Afrobeats songs of all time.
Tekno's Rise and the Weight of Expectations
For Tekno, 'Pana' was more than a hit—it translated into a run of successes that solidified his place as a leading hitmaker from 2016 to 2017. He followed up with 'Diana,' 'Rara,' and 'Yawa' within 10 months. His impact was so significant that when Davido returned to Nigeria after a tricky foray into the American market, Tekno assisted him in crafting the comeback mega hit 'IF,' a full-circle moment since Davido's guest verse on 'Holiday' had rocketed Tekno to fame in 2013.
However, the sheer size of 'Pana's impact created high expectations. Nigeria's foremost pop culture curator, Ayomide Tayo, described Tekno as 'The Prince who never became king' on his Substack page, The Naija Way. While Tekno cites a throat infection in 2019 for slowing him down commercially, critics argue he may have caved under the weight of massive talent.
Legacy and Enduring Relevance
Despite the pressures, 'Pana' remains a one-of-one record that showcased Tekno's ability to combine sensuality, infectious rhythm, and cultural relatability to craft a hit that recalibrated the soundscape. Ten years later, it continues to be a reliable party starter, and Afrobeats is better for its existence.
