Who Is ZAYLEVELTEN (Tenski)? Real Name, Age, Songs, Record Label and Biography
Nigeria’s alternative rap scene is gaining a new generation of artists who are moving beyond the conventional Afrobeats sound, and ZAYLEVELTEN [pronounced “ZAY-level-ten” (/ˈzeɪ.lə.vəl.tɛn/)], popularly known as Tenski, is among the names attracting attention. The Nigerian rapper, record producer and sound engineer is building a reputation for his experimental trap production, energetic delivery and blend of Nigerian street culture with international underground rap influences.
Born Chisom Lucky Okoro, ZAYLEVELTEN was raised in Ikorodu, Lagos State. He was born in August 2002 and is 24 years old as of October 2026. While ZAYLEVELTEN is his primary identity as a rapper, Tenski is the name associated with his work as a producer. He previously performed under the name Aizay before adopting ZAYLEVELTEN, a name that has since become associated with his distinctive sound and creative identity.
ZAYLEVELTEN Biography: Quick Facts
- Real name: Chisom Lucky Okoro
- Stage name: ZAYLEVELTEN
- Also known as: Tenski, Aizay
- Age: 24 years old
- Birth year: 2002
- Birthday: Reported as August 12, 2002, although some online sources list a different date
- Hometown: Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
- State of origin: His parents are from Ohaozara, Ebonyi State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Occupations: Rapper, songwriter, record producer and sound engineer
- Genres: Nigerian hip-hop, trap, rage rap and alternative rap
- Record-label affiliations: Lizzy Records and Antagonist Music are listed in published artist biographies
- Notable project: then 1t g0t crazy
- Breakout song: “Maye”
- Former stage name: Aizay
Early Life and Educational Background
Chisom Lucky Okoro grew up in Ikorodu, Lagos, although his family roots trace back to Ohaozara in Ebonyi State. According to his interview with GreencampNG, he attended St. Margaret for primary school before moving to Kith and Kin, a boarding school, for his secondary education. He later transferred to Tindip, a day school near his home.
His interests extended beyond music during childhood. He enjoyed drawing and dancing before rap gradually became his main creative focus. In a 2025 interview, he explained that pursuing music was important to him because he did not want to look back later in life and regret abandoning something he loved.
GreencampNG also reported that he was studying English Education at the University of Lagos at the time of its interview in March 2025. His current educational status has not been independently confirmed.
Why Is He Called ZAYLEVELTEN and Tenski?
Before becoming widely recognised as ZAYLEVELTEN, he released music as Aizay. He eventually changed the name because people frequently mispronounced it. Rather than abandoning the identity entirely, he developed a new name from elements he already used.
In his March 2026 interview with Dazed, he explained that “Zay” came from a rapper he listened to when he was younger, “ten” referred to something considered top-level, and “level” was added partly because he liked longer names.
The nickname Tenski came from producer and collaborator elemen3, who first called him by that name. ZAYLEVELTEN liked it and kept it as an additional identity. The distinction between the two names reflects his dual role: ZAYLEVELTEN is the rapper, while Tenski is closely connected to his production work.
How ZAYLEVELTEN Started His Music Career
ZAYLEVELTEN began releasing music online as Aizay in 2021, using SoundCloud as an early platform for his work. His early songs included “Poe Up” and “Rich as SHiT.” He continued experimenting with his sound before adopting the ZAYLEVELTEN name in the years that followed.
His development was shaped by listening to American underground rap online while growing up around Nigerian street-pop and African dance music. He has described saving mobile data to discover what was happening in underground music scenes around the world.
Initially, he was uncertain whether Nigerian listeners would embrace his unconventional approach to rap. Meeting other artists exploring similar sounds helped him incorporate more Nigerian slang, Pidgin and local cultural references into his music. That shift became an important part of his artistic identity.
The Projects That Helped Build His Following
ZAYLEVELTEN steadily developed his catalogue through a series of independent releases and mixtapes. His earlier projects included L0cked 1n and bef0re 1t g0t crazy, followed by the self-titled Tenski project, which was later removed from streaming platforms.
His profile grew significantly with then 1t g0t crazy, a mixtape released in November 2025 that brought his experimental sound to a wider audience. The project combines heavy bass, distorted synths, trap percussion, unconventional vocal patterns and Nigerian street expressions.
The project was followed by then 1t g0t crazier, a deluxe edition that expanded the original release. Collaborations and growing support from established artists helped bring additional attention to his music.
His catalogue also includes the L0cked 1n EP and the 2026 EP B4SaveMe, showing his continued interest in developing his sound rather than remaining tied to one formula.
Songs by ZAYLEVELTEN You Should Know
Listeners discovering ZAYLEVELTEN can start with these releases:
- “Maye”: One of the records associated with his growing recognition in 2025, helping introduce his sound to a wider audience.
- “Watching Me”: A single released in February 2025 as he continued developing his catalogue.
- “Yaad 2”: Another release from 2025 that contributed to his growing run of singles.
- “Zanku”: A track that received attention in coverage of his developing sound.
- “Show Me Luv” featuring Fimiguerrero: A collaboration connecting his Nigerian underground rap sound with the UK scene.
- “Wuse Tu” featuring Mavo: A collaboration included in the expanded then 1t g0t crazier project.
- “Muzz”: A 2026 single released as he continued building on his earlier momentum.
- “Go Again”: Another 2026 release.
- “Tease Me”: A single associated with his 2026 B4SaveMe EP.
His wider catalogue also includes Pawon, Fly and Lalakula, the latter featuring Txmmyily and Famous Pluto. He appeared on Cruel Santino’s “Big Drop” alongside OctobersRich in October 2026.
What Makes Tenski’s Production Different?
One of the defining aspects of ZAYLEVELTEN’s music is how closely his rapping connects with his production. In his Dazed interview, he said that he produced approximately 70 per cent of his last project himself.
His sound combines the aggressive energy of American rage rap with elements of South African gqom, Nigerian street-pop and other African dance rhythms. Distorted synths, heavy bass, unconventional flows and distinctive vocal ad-libs help separate his music from more traditional rap and Afrobeats releases.
He also incorporates Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba expressions, internet slang and words of his own creation. His use of expressions such as “Maye,” “Yami” and “tenski” gives his music a recognisable vocabulary connected to his generation and community.
Rather than simply copying international underground rap, his approach brings those influences into a distinctly Nigerian environment. This fusion is a major part of the identity he continues to develop as both a rapper and producer.
Record Label, Collaborations and Industry Recognition
Published artist biographies list ZAYLEVELTEN’s affiliations with Lizzy Records and Antagonist Music. His growing visibility has also been supported by recognition from established names in Nigerian music, including Davido, Zlatan and Odumodublvck, according to Music In Africa’s artist profile.
His collaborations have connected him with a wider range of artists, including Mavo, Fimiguerrero, Famous Pluto, Txmmyily and Cruel Santino. These connections reflect his position within a developing network of Nigerian and international alternative rap artists.
In September 2026, reports also announced that he would support British rapper Dave during the Lagos leg of his The Boy Who Played the Harp tour, another milestone in his growing live-performance profile.
What Is Next for ZAYLEVELTEN?
At 24, ZAYLEVELTEN has already developed a creative identity that extends beyond performing. His experience as a producer and sound engineer gives him greater involvement in the construction of his music, while his experimental approach places him within Nigeria’s expanding alternative hip-hop scene.
His journey from releasing music as Aizay on SoundCloud to gaining wider attention through then 1t g0t crazy illustrates how artists can build audiences outside the traditional mainstream pathway. With new releases, collaborations and live opportunities continuing to expand his profile, Tenski is an artist worth following as Nigerian underground rap evolves.
For listeners looking beyond conventional Afrobeats and exploring the next wave of Nigerian trap and alternative hip-hop, ZAYLEVELTEN, also known as Tenski, is a name to know.
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