In the ever-expanding universe of Afrobeats, few stars have burned as brightly and as quickly as Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems. Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, Tems has carved a space that is uniquely hers, blending Afrobeats with soulful R&B, neo-soul, and alternative influences. With her velvety voice and emotionally charged lyrics, she has transformed from a promising Lagos talent into a global icon, reshaping how the world listens to African music.
Tems’ journey to stardom was far from conventional. Raised by her Nigerian mother after her parents’ separation, she grew up in a modest household where music became her safe space. She attended Dowen College in Lagos before moving to South Africa to study Economics at Monash University. Her love for music, however, never waned. After returning to Nigeria, she briefly worked in digital marketing but quit in 2018 to pursue music full-time. Armed with little more than determination and a self-taught production skillset from YouTube tutorials, Tems began to shape her sound.
Her early singles, particularly Mr Rebel (2018) and Try Me (2019), announced her as a voice of rebellion and authenticity. Try Me resonated deeply with Nigerian youth, frustrated with societal constraints and eager for a sound that mirrored their emotions. This grassroots success laid the foundation for her meteoric rise. But the real turning point came in 2020, when she collaborated with Wizkid on the global hit Essence. The track not only topped African charts but also became a summer anthem worldwide, later boosted by a remix featuring Justin Bieber. Essence earned Tems her first Grammy nomination and firmly placed her in the global spotlight.
Riding on that momentum, Tems released her EP For Broken Ears in 2020, showcasing her lyrical depth and production skills. Tracks like Damages and Free Mind became instant fan favorites, with Free Mind enjoying long-lasting success on streaming platforms, particularly in the United States where it charted on the Billboard Hot 100 years after its release. Her sophomore EP, If Orange Was a Place (2021), further solidified her artistry, proving she was no one-hit wonder but a fully-formed musician with range and staying power.
Tems’ global appeal only grew stronger through high-profile collaborations. She co-wrote and featured on Future’s Grammy-winning hit “Wait For U” alongside Drake, a track that debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She also lent her voice to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, delivering a haunting rendition of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry. In 2025, Tems reached another milestone, winning the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her single Love Me JeJe, making her the first Nigerian artist to claim that honor in the newly created category.
Beyond her chart success, Tems has become a powerful symbol of female resilience in the Nigerian music industry. She has spoken candidly about the struggles women face in a male-dominated field, from lack of respect to limited opportunities. Instead of bowing to pressure, she has used her platform to inspire and uplift emerging female artists, emphasizing creativity, authenticity, and independence. Her ability to remain true to her craft, while navigating an industry rife with challenges, makes her journey even more compelling.
Today, Tems stands as one of Africa’s most influential cultural exports. From Lagos to London, Los Angeles to Johannesburg, her music transcends borders and language, uniting listeners through shared emotion and universal themes of love, freedom, and self-discovery. As she continues to break records and barriers, one thing is certain: Tems is not just riding the Afrobeats wave — she is redefining it, shaping the sound of a generation, and proving that African women can lead on the global stage.
