The first time you hear Tems sing, it stops you in your tracks. That voice – deep, soulful, and impossibly rich – doesn’t just demand attention; it commands it. In a music industry often criticized for its artifice, Temilade Openiyi emerged from Lagos with something rare: unfiltered truth.
“I used to think I wasn’t meant to be heard,” she once told an interviewer, reflecting on her early days making music in her bedroom. Now, that voice echoes through stadiums, tops global charts, and has earned her a Grammy. But success hasn’t changed her approach – if anything, it’s made her more determined to stay true to herself.
When “Try Me” dropped in 2019, it felt like a bolt from the blue. Here was a track that didn’t fit neatly into any box – not quite Afrobeats, not purely R&B, but something entirely its own. The song spread through Lagos like wildfire, with young women especially finding their own stories in her lyrics of defiance and self-discovery.
Then came “Essence.” Her collaboration with Wizkid didn’t just break records as the first Nigerian song to crack the Billboard Hot 100 – it became the song of summer 2021, the kind you couldn’t escape even if you wanted to. Justin Bieber hopping on the remix only confirmed what many already knew: Tems wasn’t just going global; she was redefining what global music could sound like.
Listen to songs like “Free Mind” or “Damages” and you’ll hear what makes her special. While other artists might hide behind production tricks, Tems lays herself bare. Her lyrics read like diary entries set to melody, touching on everything from heartbreak to self-doubt to ultimate triumph. “I write what I live,” she says simply, and you believe her.
The industry has noticed. Beyond her Grammy win for “Wait for U” with Future and Drake, she’s been in the studio with everyone from Beyoncé to Rihanna. In 2022, when she became the first Nigerian woman to win the BET Award for Best International Act, it felt less like a breakthrough and more like an acknowledgment of what was already clear: Tems had arrived.
But what sets Tems apart isn’t just her accolades or collaborations – it’s the emotional depth of her artistry and the cultural movement she represents. Across social media, fans describe her as “the voice of a generation,” and her songs often feel like personal anthems for listeners navigating their own struggles. Critics and artists alike praise her for infusing African music with a universal vulnerability that resonates beyond borders. “When Tems sings, you don’t just listen – you feel,” one reviewer remarked.
Her rise is part of a larger wave of African artists breaking down barriers and redefining global music. From Burna Boy selling out arenas to Rema and Ayra Starr topping international charts, Tems stands at the forefront of a movement proving that African voices are shaping the sound of the future. Her ability to blend authenticity with universal appeal is inspiring a new generation of artists to dream big without losing their roots.
Perhaps what’s most striking about her rise is how she’s managed it on her own terms. As both producer and songwriter, she maintains control over her sound, refusing to water down her artistry for broader appeal. Her upcoming debut album, she insists, won’t be rushed. “Music isn’t fast food,” she says. “It needs time to marinate.”
In an age where social media often feels more important than the music itself, Tems remains refreshingly focused on the art. You won’t find her chasing trends or stirring up controversy for clicks. Instead, she’s in the studio, crafting songs that feel like conversations with the soul.
The future? It looks limitless. With her debut album on the horizon and a growing list of high-profile collaborations, Tems stands at the forefront of a new generation of African artists showing the world that authenticity has no borders. She’s not just making music; she’s showing a whole generation of young artists that they don’t have to choose between being themselves and being successful.
“I’m just getting started,” she says with that characteristic quiet confidence. Looking at her trajectory so far, you’d be foolish to doubt her.
