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Tekno Opens Up on Career-Threatening Throat Condition That Cost Him Over $1 Million
Afrobeats star Tekno has reflected on one of the most difficult periods of his career, revealing that a serious throat condition forced him off the stage for years and resulted in massive financial losses.
Speaking during a recent interview on Cool FM, the singer, songwriter, and producer recalled how the health challenge, which occurred between 2017 and 2019, left him unable to sing or perform at a time when his career was reaching new heights.
According to Tekno, the condition forced him to cancel numerous performances, refund promoters and eventually undergo surgery in the United States after searching extensively for the right medical specialist.
“I was refunding so much money. I think I refunded over a million dollars in shows,” Tekno said, explaining the financial impact of the illness and the number of bookings he was unable to honour.
The award-winning musician also disclosed that finding the right treatment was far from straightforward.
He revealed that he travelled to several places in search of a qualified doctor before eventually undergoing surgery in New York, saying he was unable to access the level of specialised care he needed in Nigeria at the time.
โI was refunding over a million dollars worth of shows. That was dark.โ
Years ago, Tekno lost his voice after severe acid reflux damaged his vocal cords, forcing him to cancel shows, undergo surgery in New York, and step away from music at a career-defining moment. pic.twitter.com/NzawBMp2we
โ @๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ท๐ผ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ๐๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐ (@OneJoblessBoy) July 8, 2026
Tekno’s experience highlights the physical demands of a music career and the challenges artists can face behind the scenes, even during the peak of their success. His recovery ultimately allowed him to return to recording and performing, continuing a career that has produced several Afrobeats hits over the years.