Jena Teba Brings The Vibes On “Sur ma peau” & Talks More Her Craft
Intro:
In today’s article, we’ll be interviewing French-based singer Jena Teba after the release of her new single “Sur ma peau” last month. After debuting in 2022 with her first single “Aïe aïe aïe,” Jena has solidified a brand of genre-bending R&B/Soul that’s focused on authenticity & emotion. This new record is a groovy & intimate sonic experience produced by the talented Randy IV REAL. Additioanlly, her versatility & creative mind allows here to build great chemistry with other global stars like Nigerian artist TUCEE who makes a fitting guest appearance on “Sur ma peau.” Before reading our brief conversation, make sure you check out this new single below.
Me: How would you describe your creative process while making “Sur ma peau”?
Jena Teba: The creative process was very organic and intuitive. Randy sent me the instrumental, and I wrote my part in a single evening, about a year and a half ago. The song came from a place of love and latent desire — something quiet, restrained, but deeply present. I wanted the lyrics to stay simple and accessible, while subtly revealing the idea of connected souls, an unspoken bond that exists beyond words.
From the beginning, I knew the track needed a feature. I felt there was a missing layer — someone who could bring contrast, relief, and elevate the cosmic alchemy I felt within the song. It wasn’t about adding a verse for the sake of it, but about completing the emotional dialogue. In the meantime, I travelled to Kinshasa for personal reasons, and during that time, I shot part of the music video there, in July 2025. The video is still unreleased, but that experience deeply nourished the atmosphere of the song.
When I returned to Paris, I was introduced to Tucee, and everything clicked instantly. He immediately found his flow, and the next day the feature was recorded. Even though the entire process was done remotely, between France and Nigeria, and wasn’t always easy, it felt natural and aligned. In the end, the distance didn’t weaken the connection; it actually reinforced the idea behind the song — two energies meeting across space.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it before? Has it evolved over time?
My music is sensory. It asks the listener to take their time and fully immerse themselves — especially with Sur ma peau, which has a more laid-back, intimate vibe. The goal is never to stay fixed in one place, but to continuously explore different facets of my art, my thoughts, and my being. To truly experience it, one has to live through time and allow oneself to perceive all the colors it has to offer.
I love the song name “Sur ma peau”! Can you explain what it means & why it was important to choose as the title?
Sur ma peau means exactly what it should — the years, the loves, the friendships, the successes, and the disappointments all leave traces on our skin, indelible, or nearly so. For me, Sur ma peau also reflects the feeling of something missing. We are one, or sometimes three — yet one is never truly separate from two, within ourselves. It’s about balance, the interplay between the love we give and the love we receive.
What was the most difficult aspect of making this new record for you?
The most challenging part was definitely the overall production — managing all the steps remotely between Nigeria, Kinshasa, and France. Even the mix was an adventure! I really want to thank Nicolas, the sound engineer here, for his patience 😅.
That’s understandable, haha! Furthermore, what does your life look like outside of music?
A bit of adventure, a bit of drama, a bit of love, a bit of disappointment, a bit of trouble, a bit of dreaming, a bit of doubt, a bit of faith, a bit of glamour, a bit of ghetto. A movie. And you don’t see the ending.
Was there a specific moment when you realized music was your calling? Or was it a natural progression?
One day, I had a dream — a man, looking like a wise sage, came to me and said, “You’re still not famous.” Haha. When I woke up, I thought, What was that about?! It was like he was telling me that I’d been sleeping too much and that it was time to leave my mark in our shared space. From that moment, it became clear that music wasn’t just a passion — it was my calling.
Oh wow! That is quite interesting. Additionally, are there any upcoming releases or plans you're comfortable sharing with readers?
I don't have any official singles lined up yet, but I'm already working on what's next, and I'm really thrilled Honestly, I love surprises and I love to surprise… and, to be honest, it also gives me some room to maneuver 😉.
And finally, in your own words, why should a new listener check out this new release today?
It’s only 3 minutes and 41 seconds, buddy… just kidding 😄. Listen if you want to feel a different kind of musical connection and disconnect your mind for a while.
