Tekno has returned to the spotlight with Foolish, a track that serves as a potent reminder of why he is considered one of Afrobeats premier melody architects. The song is impressive in the “less is more” philosophy that Tekno has championed since his breakout days. Built on a foundation of mid-tempo percussion and a hypnotic, looping guitar riff, the production is sparse, allowing Tekno’s voice and his unique rhythmic syncopation to drive the song. It is the kind of production that sounds simple until you try to replicate it, a signature trait of the “Alhaji Tekino” sound.
The title Foolish is a playful misdirection. Tekno isn’t lamenting stupidity; he is celebrating the kind of reckless, head-over-heels love that makes smart people do irrational things. The lyrics are delivered with his trademark blend of English, Pidgin, and onomatopoeic slang, creating a linguistic rhythm that is as catchy as the beat itself. He employs a call-and-response structure in the chorus that is tailor-made for live performances, practically begging the crowd to sing the refrain back to him.
What sets Foolish apart from the glut of love songs on the market is its self-awareness. Tekno performs with a wink and a nod, infusing the track with a sense of humour and lightness. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, and that charisma bleeds through the recording. The track builds slowly, adding layers of backing vocals and subtle percussion elements that transform it from a casual listen into a genuine earworm. By the second chorus, the melody has already lodged itself firmly in the listener’s brain.
Commercially, Foolish is positioned to be a slow-burning hit. It’s not the aggressive club banger that explodes on day one, rather, it’s the track that DJs play to bridge the gap between high-energy sets, the song that stays on radio rotation for months because it never feels intrusive. It fits perfectly into the current “vibe” culture of Afrobeats, where groove is prioritized over high-octane energy.
With this release, Tekno proves that he hasn’t lost his touch. In an industry that is constantly looking for the “new,” he remains a reliable source of the fundamental elements that made Afrobeats global: irresistible melody, impeccable rhythm, and a sense of effortless cool. Foolish is a track that invites you to dance, not because you have to, but because you simply can’t help yourself.
