Temilade Openiyi
Biography of Tems
Temilade Openiyi (born June 11, 1995), known professionally as Tems, is a multi-award-winning Nigerian Singer, Songwriter, and Record Producer. She is globally recognized for her soulful voice and distinctive blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and Alté music.
Early Life and Career Start
- Origin and Education: Tems was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and is of Yoruba ethnicity. She moved to the United Kingdom as an infant, but returned to Nigeria with her mother following her parents’ separation when she was five years old. She holds a degree in Economics from Monash South Africa (a university in Johannesburg).
- Career Transition: In 2018, Tems quit her job in digital marketing to pursue music full-time, teaching herself production skills on YouTube.
- Debut: She released her self-produced debut single, Mr Rebel, in July 2018, followed by the breakout hit Try Me in August 2019.
Breakthrough and Global Success
- First EP: In 2020, Tems released her debut Extended Play (EP), For Broken Ears, which featured the popular single Damages and Free Mind.
- Global Hit: Her career saw a massive surge after being featured on Wizkid’s smash hit Essence (2020), which was dubbed the “song of the summer” and received a platinum certification in the United States.
- Second EP: She released her second EP, If Orange Was A Place, in 2021, which included the hit track Crazy Tings.
- International Features: Tems achieved further global recognition by featuring on Drake’s album Certified Lover Boy (2021) on the track Fountains.
- Soundtrack Success: In 2022, she contributed a cover of Bob Marley’s No Woman, No Cry to the soundtrack for the Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
- Grammy Award: In 2023, Tems won her first Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future’s song Wait For U.
Tems is celebrated for her unique sound, often referred to as a blend of alternative R&B and Afrobeats, and is a leading figure in the global exportation of contemporary African music.
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