Award-winning Afrobeats singer and producer, Tekno, has revealed that a prolonged throat condition cost him millions of dollars in performance fees after he was forced to cancel several high-profile shows at the peak of his career.
  
According to the Gon Gon and No Forget crooner, the condition not only disrupted his touring schedule but also dealt a significant financial blow, as live performances were a major source of income.
  
Speaking candidly about the difficult chapter, the Pana hitmaker in a recent interview on Cool FM, revealed that between 2017 and 2019, he struggled with a throat issue that made him unable to sing or perform and eventually forced him to travel to the United States for surgery. He added that the health challenge left him unable to perform, compelling him to turn down lucrative bookings despite overwhelming demand for his music.
  
“I lost millions of dollars because I couldn’t perform. I was refunding so much money. I think I refunded over a million dollars in shows,” the singer said, reflecting on the painful sacrifices he had to make while focusing on his recovery.
  
Despite the financial losses, Tekno said prioritising his health was the only option, stressing that no amount of money was worth risking his long-term wellbeing or career. For him, being able to rise beyond the challenges offered him a different perspective in life as he learnt to be grateful and appreciative of being able to still make music.
  
The revelation sheds light on the often unseen realities of the music business, where an artiste’s ability to perform is directly tied to earnings. For many musicians, live concerts, tours and private performances account for a substantial portion of their income, making health setbacks particularly costly.
  
Although the setback temporarily slowed his career, Tekno has since bounced back, returning to the studio and the stage with renewed energy. He has continued to release successful records, collaborate with leading African artistes and maintain his reputation as one of Afrobeats’ most accomplished singer-songwriters and producers.