March 29, 2024

ExposAfrica Magazine

Let's Expose Africa Together

Funkula! The Magic Of Telz

By Clinton Efe Akporherhe

Funkula!”

This is the triumphant intro for a man whose distinct synth-driven sound craftily mimics Igbo highlife music to create a unique blend of nostalgia and jollification. This perfect blend was evident on onyeka; the romantic cut from Burna boy’s grammy nominated album – twice as tall and patoranking’s smash single, Abule. Ali Odunayo, 23, popularly known as Telz is becoming a leading face in the new crop of ingenious producers emerging out of the Nigerian music scene.

Telz’s first musical breakthrough came on prettyboy D-O and Olamide’s “Wetin you smoke”, a basic street hop cut off D-O’s debut album; wildfire which was released earlier this year. The production on wetin you smoke was pretty basic with Telz playing it safe by plying the oversaturated afro pop route while still adding a little bit of creative flair in the form of a playful, mellow piano rendition that kept repeating in the song’s background.

Telz’s production prowess would eventually come alive in Burna boy’s smash album; Twice as tall, with production credits on songs like “Wonderful”, ” Wetin dey sup”, “Onyeka”, ” Naughty by Nature” and “real life”. A keen listener would spot the diversity in the production of the songs above, especially in Naughty by nature which had this 90’s retro hip hop feel that blended effortlessly with Burna boy’s smooth bravado. Telz in an interview with guardian life attributed the reason for the diversity overstated in his records to musical influences from Timberland, mike dean, Jon bellion and just blaze.

A closer look at the enigma behind the musical direction of Twice as tall shows he started music in 2011 at the early age of 14. Born in Ondo state, and a graduate of Babcock university, Telz didn’t start taking music seriously until 2017 after dropping a couple of songs earlier in 2013 and 2014. He is presently signed to burna boy’s on a spaceship record label as an in-house producer.

At ExposAfrica, we believe that the next couple of years buoys endless possibilities, adventures and illustrious heights for Telz and we are keen to see how his journey pans out. But for now, let’s just relax, sit back and revel in the magic of funkula!

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