Teeks is finally getting his first time in South Africa, and it’s been five years in the making. After his breakout hit “First Time” found a second home on South African TikTok in 2021, fans have spent years in comment sections asking when the New Zealand singer-songwriter would finally make the trip.
It’s not hard to see why South Africans have been waiting for this moment.
“First Time” reportedly topped the local iTunes chart, reached No. 2 on Apple Music and cracked Spotify South Africa’s Top 20, before becoming a TikTok favourite in more than 18,000 videos that collectively reached tens of millions of views.
The double platinum-certified hit introduced Teeks to an entirely new audience. Now, that wait is almost over as the soulful artist is set to perform in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg later this month, marking the 32-year-old’s first-ever South African tour.
Speaking ahead of the shows about his feelings on preparing to touch South African soil, Teeks told The National it feels like a long time coming.
“I’ve been trying to get over to South Africa for a long time, I mean since 2021 when the song came out and went viral. So I’m super excited to get over there and meet the people. I’m just very grateful for the love and support that they’ve shown me over the past few years,” he admitted.
Although he’s only experienced South African fans through his phone screen, he’s expecting the real thing to be on another level.
“I’m mostly looking forward to the energy because I feel the energy online and it’s online. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like in person,” he said.
“They feel very passionate and from what I’ve observed through social media and the comment sections, South Africans go hard. I can’t wait to share space with them in real life and have that reciprocity of energy.”
Since releasing his debut album “Something To Feel”, Teeks has built a global audience, but he shared that one lesson has stayed with him throughout his journey.
He has learned that trusting his own intuition is far more important than trying to please everyone.
“It can be hard, especially as an upcoming artist. There’ll be so many people with so many opinions, but I think what makes a great artist is someone who stays authentic to themselves and leads with their own voice.”
Born Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi, Teeks is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui descent which is known for their powerful performing arts.
He has previously credited his Māori heritage and upbringing for the role it has played in shaping his artistry, something listeners can hear in the emotion, storytelling and vulnerability that run through much of his music.
For the MTV EMA Best New Zealand Act, authenticity is also what shapes the heartfelt and soulful music he’s become known for.
He explained that most of his songs come from his own lived experiences, making the writing process healing in itself. At the same time, he does not always sit down to write with healing in mind.
Sometimes the songs are simply about documenting whatever emotion he is living through in that moment, whether it’s love, sadness, anger or joy.
“The writing process in itself is cathartic and healing for me. It also depends on what I’m writing about and where I’m coming from emotionally and mentally. Sometimes it’s just self-expression. Sometimes it’s not always having to heal. Sometimes it’s just an expression of love, sometimes anger, sometimes sadness,” he shared.
Once the music is released, he believes it no longer belongs to him alone.
“The beauty about music is that when it’s out in the world, people are able to connect with it in their own unique way because we all have similar experiences. The shared human experience and music is what connects us all.”
When asked about the South Africa’s music scene and if he would be interested in tapping into some collaborations, Teeks did not rule out dipping his toes into local sounds.
“I would love to use Amapiano. If I have the right collaboration and permission, then I would love to explore that for sure,” he said.
The “My Boy” hitmaker will perform in Cape Town on Thursday, August 27 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, alongside Good Neighbours, before heading to Durban on Friday, August 28 at The Station.
He will wrap up the tour in Johannesburg on Sunday, August 30, performing at Parklive Jozi at Marks Park in Emmarentia.
nomathamsanqa.sithathu@nationalmg.co.za