Tenski: The Rising Star Shaking Up Nigeria’s Trap Scene on XIn the ever-evolving landscape of Nigerian music, where afrobeats has long reigned supreme, a fresh wave of trap artists is carving out space for raw, introspective, and boundary-pushing sounds. At the forefront of this movement is Tenski, the enigmatic rapper who’s become a bona fide sensation on X (formerly Twitter). With his unique blend of trap beats, Igbo-infused bars, and self-produced bangers, Tenski is not just riding the wave—he’s creating it. But to fully appreciate his ascent, it’s worth drawing parallels to artists like Deeman, who similarly captured social media buzz and industry co-signs, highlighting how Nigeria’s music ecosystem nurtures underground talents into mainstream contenders.

Who Is Tenski? From Underground to Chart-Topper

Born Olamide Kehinde and performing under the moniker Tenski (sometimes stylized as Teski), this Lagos-based artist has been quietly building his catalog with an eclectic style that fuses trap’s gritty edge with Afro-fusion elements.
His sound draws from global influences like Playboi Carti, YEAT, Young Thug, and Gunna, but he infuses it with local flavor—slipping in seamless Igbo lyrics that catch listeners off guard and add layers of cultural depth. As one X user put it, “Tenski go slip Igbo barz in his song you no go even notice.”
Tenski’s breakthrough came with tracks like “Watching Me” and “Maye,” which earned him shoutouts from heavyweights such as Davido.
But it was his debut mixtape, Then 1t Got Crazy, that catapulted him into the spotlight. Released in 2025, the project peaked at #1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart, marking his first Top 5 entry and solidifying his status as a force in the scene.
Songs like “Save Me” delve into emotional hip-hop territory, exploring vulnerability amid hard-hitting beats, while “Zanku” showcases his slimy, experimental flow that’s “e slimy pass Playboi, YEAT, Thugger and Gunna all together.”
What makes Tenski a “Twitter sensation”? His rise has been organic and viral, fueled by X’s real-time hype machine. Posts praising his self-production skills—”i remember that day producers on here wanted to kill Tenski for using youtube beats, 1 year later he self producing actual bangers”—and his innovative take on Afro-hip-hop have racked up thousands of views and engagements.
Fans and critics alike are buzzing: “Nigeria trap scene is in good hands with tenski,” and “Tenski just created a new part of Afro hip hop Can’t even lie.” His X handle, @zaylevelten, has become a hub for snippets, updates, and fan interactions, turning casual scrolls into conversions for new listeners.

Relating Tenski to Deeman: Parallel Paths in Nigeria’s Music Hustle

To understand Tenski’s trajectory, it’s insightful to compare him to Deeman, another Nigerian artist who exploded on social media a few years earlier. Deeman (real name possibly tied to his #afrojeez brand) burst onto the scene around 2022 with infectious afrobeats and entertainer vibes, gaining massive traction through X and Instagram.
Tracks like “Bread Winner,” “Come My Way,” and “December” showcased his songwriting prowess, blending catchy hooks with personal growth narratives—”please don’t give up on me, I’ll keep working on my self.”
Like Tenski, Deeman’s rise was amplified by industry co-signs. In 2022, he performed alongside Olamide at a major event, and Wizkid’s public support sparked debates like “Wizkid about to make Deeman big”—though credit was due to early backers like Olamide and director TG Omori. Deeman became a meme-worthy figure on X, with viral moments turning him into a cultural talking point, much like Tenski’s current wave of chart success and fan stan accounts (shoutout to @richyxbt, a dedicated Tenski fan page).
While Tenski leans heavily into trap’s rage and experimental production, Deeman’s #afrojeez style incorporates afrobeats with rhythmic storytelling, creating a bridge between genres. Both represent the new guard of Nigerian music: self-made hustlers who leverage social media to bypass traditional gatekeepers. Deeman’s 2022 buzz paved the way for artists like Tenski to thrive in 2025, proving that platforms like X can turn underground gems into sensations. As one observer noted about emerging talents, “Even tenski blowing up too? … Trap music in Nigeria is ah hard sell but @zaylevelten is proofing us wrong…special boy star .”
If Deeman was the spark for afrobeats-adjacent hype, Tenski is the flame reigniting trap’s potential in Naija.Why Tenski Matters for the Future of Nigerian TrapTenski’s story is a testament to persistence and innovation. Starting with YouTube beats and evolving into a self-producing powerhouse, he’s inspiring a generation of artists to blend global trap with local roots. Collaborations like his feature on Rightflow’s “Man O War” hint at international potential, blending Afro-fusion and trap for a global audience.
As Nigeria’s music scene diversifies beyond afrobeats, figures like Tenski—and predecessors like Deeman—show that social media isn’t just a tool; it’s the stage. Whether you’re streaming Then 1t Got Crazy or revisiting Deeman’s catalog, these artists remind us that the next big thing often starts with a viral post. Keep an eye on @zaylevelten
—Tenski’s just getting started, and the trap scene is all the better for it.