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Trending in Tems’s World
Latest Album
Born in the Wild
Released Jun 6, 2024
Trending Globally
Story
Quick Facts
Born
1995
1995
From
Nigeria
Nigeria
Journey
Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer whose work has contributed significantly to the worldwide growth of Afrobeats and alternative R&B.
Born in Lagos to a Nigerian mother of Yoruba heritage and a British-Nigerian father, she spent part of her early childhood in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria after her parents separated. Growing up in areas such as Ilupeju, Lekki, and Ajah, she developed an interest in music at a young age through church activities, piano lessons, and personal songwriting. She attended Dowen College for her secondary education and later studied Economics at Monash South Africa.
Before pursuing music full-time, Tems worked in the corporate world. Her decision to leave that career path and focus entirely on music became a defining moment in her journey.
She introduced herself as a recording artist in 2018 with the independently produced single “Mr Rebel,” a release that highlighted her unique artistic identity. The following year, “Try Me” gained strong attention and helped establish her presence within Nigeria’s alternative music movement.
Her debut EP, "For Broken Ears," arrived in 2020 and featured tracks such as “Damages” and “Free Mind.” The project drew attention for its introspective writing, stripped-back production, and distinctive atmosphere, gradually attracting audiences beyond Nigeria.
Global recognition followed through a series of high-profile collaborations. Tems featured on Wizkid’s “Essence,” a song that became one of Afrobeats’ biggest international successes. She later appeared on Drake’s “Fountains” and was credited on Future’s chart-topping hit “Wait for U,” which incorporated elements of her song “Higher” and reached the summit of the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2021, she released her second EP, "If Orange Was a Place," through RCA Records. Three years later, her debut album, *Born in the Wild*, explored themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and freedom while drawing from Afrobeats, R&B, and soul influences.
Her achievements have been recognized on some of the industry's biggest stages. Tems earned Grammy Awards for her contribution to “Wait for U” and later for “Love Me JeJe.” She has also received nominations from organizations including the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, BET Awards, and NAACP Image Awards, with notable recognition for her involvement in Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” featured on the soundtrack of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."