2 weeks ago
22
I always imagined what I would ask Tems whenever I got the opportunity to interview her one on one. I mean, what do you ask a girl who entered the industry quietly but beat the odds of just being another bad bitch with the body of a goddess to becoming a woman of means and identity – a global star. What do you ask such a woman?
I digress.
This piece is not about what I would ask Tems, but what the world is saying about her… listening attentively, all I can hear the world saying is “Take your flowers Tems baby, you phenomenal woman”. The world is not wrong, Tems is phenomenal.
Temilade Openiyi, known to the world as Tems, has carved her name into the annals of music history, not just as a Nigerian artiste, but as a global sensation. A fusion of Afrobeats and R&B, Tems’ sound is a unique reflection of her Nigerian roots, an unwavering passion for music, and a soul that speaks the truth of her journey.
Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Tems’ early life was a whirlwind of change. At the tender age of five, after her parents’ separation, she moved back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, experiencing life in various parts of Lagos, from the hustle and bustle of Ilupeju to the serene environments of Lekki and Ajah. It was in these vibrant streets of Lagos that Tems would sow the seeds of her musical destiny.
Her education began at Dowen College, followed by a degree in Economics from Monash South Africa. But Tems’ true calling was music. A teenager with a powerful voice, she was soon drawn into the world of performance, joining her school choir. Her music teacher, seeing the potential in her, nurtured her talent and taught her to play the piano. Her brother’s guitar skills became the perfect companion as she began to hone her vocal abilities.
2019 marked a breakthrough in Tems’ career with the release of her debut extended play ‘For Broken Ears’. The project not only showcased her distinctive voice but also her remarkable songwriting talent. But it wasn’t until her 2020 collaboration with Wizkid on ‘Essence’ that the world truly began to take notice. The track, which soared to number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, became a global anthem, earning her critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. A remix featuring Justin Bieber catapulted it even further, cementing her place in the global music landscape.
But Tems wasn’t stopping there. 2021 saw her collaborating with music mogul Drake on ‘Fountains’, while the following year, she made history as the first African artist to have a song debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with Future’s ‘Wait For U’. Her presence on the track, alongside Drake and Future, cemented her place as a genre-defining artiste, earning her the coveted Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
In 2024, Tems released her highly anticipated debut album ‘Born in the Wild’. The album, which blends Afrobeats with modern R&B, was met with rave reviews and produced the hit single ‘Love Me JeJe’, a reinterpretation of Seyi Sodimu’s iconic 1997 track. This led to another Grammy win in 2025, where Tems made history again by becoming the first Nigerian artiste to collect multiple Grammy trophies.
Beyond the music, Tems is a woman of profound thought and deep introspection. Her lyrics touch on themes of love, pain, healing, and empowerment. She’s not just a singer; she’s an icon, a voice for those navigating their own journeys of growth and self-discovery. While her career skyrockets, Tems remains fiercely private about her personal life, preferring to let her music speak for her.
In a world that often values instant fame, Tems’ rise has been nothing short of inspiring. From the heart of Lagos to the global stage, her story is one of hard work, authenticity, and resilience. And as she continues to break boundaries and make history, Tems stands as a beacon of what happens when talent, passion, and perseverance align. The world is watching and Tems Baby is just getting started.
English (US) ·