Tems
Biography
Tems, born Temilade Openiyi on June 11 1995 in Lagos State, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who emerged from independent self-releases to become one of the most celebrated voices of her generation, winning a Grammy Award and collaborating with some of the world's biggest artists — all within a career spanning barely five years. She began releasing music independently in 2018 and released the single Mr Rebel in that year, building a devoted audience through raw vocal performances and uncompromising artistic direction that prized emotional authenticity over commercial formula. Her breakthrough collaboration with Wizkid on Essence (2020) — a song that captured the world's attention during the pandemic and became the first Nigerian song to crack the Billboard Hot 100 top ten — transformed her into an international star. She followed with the EP If Orange Was a Place (2021) and began work that led to her debut album Born in the Wild (2024). Her feature on Future and Drake's Wait for U (2022) won her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023, making her the first African woman to win a Grammy in that category. Tems has been named TIME magazine's Next Generation Leader and appeared on the covers of major international fashion and music publications. She collaborated with Beyoncé on the Lion King: The Gift soundtrack and has performed on the world's most prestigious stages. Her voice — a rich, unhurried contralto with extraordinary range — is considered one of the defining vocal instruments of contemporary global music. She represents the global zenith of Nigerian women in music, having crossed over not as a novelty but as a genuinely indispensable artistic presence.
