From the streets of Lagos to the Grammys; Tems’ path to stardom

In the vibrant field of Nigerian music, few players shine as brightly as Temilade Openiyi, known to the world as Tems. Her journey from the bustling streets of Lagos to the international scene is one of talent, resilience and an unyielding passion for her craft. In this feature, Weekend Trust details her journey to global […]

In the vibrant field of Nigerian music, few players shine as brightly as Temilade Openiyi, known to the world as Tems. Her journey from the bustling streets of Lagos to the international scene is one of talent, resilience and an unyielding passion for her craft. In this feature, Weekend Trust details her journey to global stardom in the music industry.

 

Early life

Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, Tems was introduced to a blend of cultures early on, with a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father. She attended Dowen College in Lekki before moving to Johannesburg, South Africa, to pursue a degree in Economics. However, Life had other plans, as she was drawn to music. Her childhood was deeply rooted in the rich sounds of Nigerian music, and she frequently sang in the church choir, establishing the foundation for her future in music.

 

Humble beginnings

Tems made an impression in the music industry in 2018 with her debut track, ‘Mr. Rebel’. The track, with its lyrical depth and unique sound, quickly drew the attention of music fans. This was followed by ‘Looku Looku’, which sealed her status as a new voice in Nigerian music. However, ‘Try Me’, which was released in 2019, became her breakthrough hit, resonating with many and showing her ability to merge Afrobeat rhythms with soulful melodies.

Notwithstanding, Tems’ unique voice and style drew attention. In 2020, her collaboration with Wizkid on ‘Essence’, a song that crossed borders became a global success. The song’s popularity was momentous, hitting at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning a Grammy nomination.

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Leveraging on the pattern, Tems appeared on Drake’s ‘Fountains’ in 2021, building her presence in the international music scene. In 2022, she worked with Future and Drake on the song ‘Wait for U’, which won her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Tems also co-wrote ‘Lift Me Up’ for the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, which was sung by Rihanna and received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Song.

 

Accolades and Achievements

Tems’ journey is decorated with numerous accolades. Though not winning the 2020 Grammy nomination for ‘Essence’, a track she featured on with Wizkid, the song received other awards, including African Entertainment Awards USA, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, The Headies Awards and at the Soul Train Music Awards.

In 2023, she made history by winning her first Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance with ‘Wait for U’. A song she starred on alongside Future and Drake. In 2025, she continued her winning streak, securing the Best African Music Performance Grammy for her hit ‘Love Me Jeje’, triumphing over notable artistes like Yemi Alade, Burna Boy and Wizkid.

In an emotional acceptance speech, Tems acknowledged everyone who had supported her along the way saying, “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team.

“Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammys. I just want to thank you, mum, because she’s really done a lot for me and my brother. I want to thank my team —thank you so much. To God be the glory, because honestly, He’s changed my life so much. Thank you so much, thank you God.”

 

Streaming data

Tems’ debut EP, ‘For Broken Ears’ (2020), which included songs like ‘Damages’ and ‘Free Mind’ and showcased her unique blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and soul, received over 581 million Spotify streams. ‘Born in the Wild’, her current album, also broke prior records, receiving over 8 million Spotify listens on its first day of release.  As of January 31, 2025, the album had received around 423 million streams on Spotify.

Tems has achieved over 2 billion Spotify streams, becoming the platform’s most-streamed female African artiste. Her top tracks are ‘Wait for U’ with Drake, which has over 855 million streams, and ‘Essence’ with Wizkid, which has 255 million streams. ‘Wait for U’ peaked at number 10 on the global Spotify rankings, while ‘Essence’ climbed to number 177.

 

Impact

Tems’ music combines Afrobeat, R&B, and soul to create a sound that is both unique and relatable. Her songs frequently dive into personal experiences, emotions and societal challenges, which hit emotionally with listeners. Beyond her musical talent, Tems represents a new wave of Nigerian artists that are knocking down barriers and altering a global music landscape.

As Tems continues her ascent, the world watches with anticipation. Her rise from a little girl in Lagos to a global music queen has inspired many people. Tems’ persistent passion and great talent ensure that she will continue to make waves and leave a lasting legacy on the music industry.

 

2025 Grammy congratulatory messages

Following her 2025 Grammy win, heartfelt messages poured in from government officials, colleagues and fans.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised Tems and other nominated artists, stating:

“From Africa to Antarctica, Asia to Australia, Europe to the Americas, the Nigerian music industry—particularly Afrobeats—has become a source of national pride, promoting a sense of identity and self-expression while uniting people across borders.”

“You are all inspirations and role models to many young people. The nation remains deeply grateful for your contributions to music, job creation and tourism promotion. I wish you all continued success in your musical careers.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also celebrated Tems, reinforcing Lagos’ reputation as the centre of Nigerian entertainment, culture and arts:

“Tems winning the 67th Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance confirms that our dear Lagos State remains the hub of entertainment, creativity and tourism in the West African sub-region.”

“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate Tems for achieving this great feat, and I urge her not to rest on her oars as the future remains even brighter.”

Afrobeats superstars Davido and Ayra Starr also sent their congratulations. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Davido wrote, “Congratulations to my one and only @chrisbrown! And to the Queen @temsbaby, we are proud of you!”

Ayra Starr also wrote, “Temsbabyyyyyyy, congratulations my love!!!!”

 

Tems’ Reflection on Her Grammy Win

While acknowledging the nomination for ‘Love Me Jeje’, Tems took to X to express her gratitude:

“Love Me Jeje is MY GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING SONG! But for me, this 🏆 is for Free Mind, Higher, Found, Me & U, Burning, You in My Face, and Hold On. Some of my favorites to create. Truly, you can do whatever you want—believe in yourself before anyone acknowledges you. Because it’s really about who you believe you are and how you speak to yourself.”

She also showed appreciation to Seyi Sodimu, the original singer of the 1997 classic Love Me Jeje, which featured Nollywood star Shaffy Bello.

“I just want to thank the wonderful @seyimusic for his role in the support and clearance of his OG song Love Me Jeje. It has brought the original song back to life for me, and I’m glad it’s getting its flowers today. A timeless classic. I appreciate you so much. Thank you for your love and support.”