Once upon a time, a star named Tems appeared in the land of Nigeria, captivating hearts across Africa and beyond. With her soulful voice, genre-bending sound and undeniable talent, Tems has risen to become one of the region’s greatest female artists.
Born Temilade Openiyi in 1995, Tems’ journey to stardom began with her appearance in Wizkid’s hit single “Perfume” in 2020. The song rose to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, highlighting her unique vocal abilities, while marking a milestone for African music on the global stage .
In 2021, Tems released his debut EP “Because Broken ear,” had a chart-topping single “Damages.” The EP received critical acclaim, cementing her place in the music industry. Her fusion of R&B, soul and Afrobeat music has been praised for its emotional depth and authenticity.
Tems’ influence continues to grow in 2022. She is featured on Drake’s album “The boy was certified as a lover” and collaborated with Beyoncé on her album “Renaissance,” expanding her fan base and showcasing her versatility.
Tems is truly a standout feature on Future’s album, “I have never liked you.” She contributed her unique voice to the song “Wait for you,” next to Drake. The song topped the charts and earned Tems her first Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, marking a major milestone in her career.
Her talent and hard work have earned her many awards, including a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance for her contribution to “Perfume.” Tems made history as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy for “Future’s”Wait for you,” won the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
In addition to awards and chart success, Tems also symbolizes hope and inspiration for young African artists. She proves that with talent, determination and a unique voice, one can overcome any barriers and make a mark on the global music scene.
As Tems himself said, “I believe that not every Nigerian needs to do generic sounds because in general we are talented and whatever we decide to do, we will do it well..” This statement represents her approach to music and her vision for the future of African music.
