Discover Tems’ journey from Lagos to global stardom. Learn about her Grammy wins, debut album “Born in the Wild,” collaborations with Drake & Wizkid, and inspiring story.
When Temilade Openiyi walked into her boss’s office in 2018 to announce she was quitting her digital marketing job to pursue music full-time, she was shaking with fear. Her manager’s response was threatening: “If you’re not careful, I will fire you.” But Tems stood her ground, declaring simply, “I’m going to sing.” That trembling moment of courage transformed into one of the most remarkable success stories in contemporary African music.
I find Tems’ journey deeply inspiring because it exemplifies the power of authentic self-belief. In an industry that often pushes artists toward commercial formulas, she chose to be unapologetically herself—blending R&B, Afrobeats, and soul into something entirely unique. Her deep, velvety voice and introspective lyrics stood out precisely because they refused to conform. Today, she’s a two-time Grammy winner, an Academy Award nominee, and the first African artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, proving that authenticity and artistry can coexist with global commercial success.
Key Details Of Tems Biography At a Glance
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Temilade Openiyi |
| Stage Name | Tems |
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1995 |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Place of Birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian (British-Nigerian father) |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Genres | Afro-R&B, Afrobeats, Alternative R&B, Soul |
| Record Label | RCA Records (since 2021) |
| Debut EP | For Broken Ears (2020) |
| Debut Album | Born in the Wild (June 2024) |
| Grammy Wins | 2 (Best Melodic Rap Performance 2023, Best African Music Performance 2025) |
| Total Grammy Nominations | 8 |
| Notable Collaborations | Wizkid, Drake, Future, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber |
| Estimated Net Worth | $2-5 million |
| Breakout Hit | “Essence” with Wizkid (2020) |
| Billboard Hot 100 Peak | #1 (“Wait for U” by Future feat. Drake & Tems) |
Early Life and Musical Foundations
Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Nigerian mother and British-Nigerian father, Tems’ childhood was marked by cultural diversity and family challenges. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to the United Kingdom. When her parents divorced at age five, young Temilade moved back to Nigeria with her mother and brother, settling in Ilupeju, Lagos.
Growing up in Nigeria during the late 1990s and early 2000s meant exposure to diverse musical influences. While Afrobeats dominated the Nigerian soundscape, Tems gravitated toward international R&B and soul legends. She recalls hearing Celine Dion frequently on Nigerian radio, saying, “Nigerians love Celine Dion. Her songs are very emotional, jump-off-a-cliff type songs. They entered my soul. I think that’s where my love for music started.”
Artists like Whitney Houston and Destiny’s Child became her formative influences, shaping her desire to create music that provokes deep emotional responses. This early connection to soul-stirring vocals would later define her signature sound—a blend of ethereal melodies, introspective storytelling, and vocal depth unusual in contemporary Afrobeats.
As an adolescent, Tems was shy and reserved with only a small circle of friends. She found refuge in music, performing in church choirs where she honed her vocal skills. These formative years of relative isolation taught her self-reliance and cultivated the introspective quality that permeates her songwriting.
The Leap of Faith: From Corporate Life to Music
Before becoming “Tems,” Temilade worked a conventional 9-to-5 job in digital marketing. But the corporate world felt suffocating to someone with artistic vision burning inside. In 2018, she made the terrifying decision to quit without a backup plan, musical training, or industry connections.
“I left the room shaking but I felt relieved, like ‘OK, now I’m starting my real life,'” she recalled. At that moment, she had recorded zero songs and possessed minimal production knowledge. What she did have was unwavering faith in her purpose and a willingness to learn.
Self-Taught Producer and Early Singles
Unable to find producers who understood her vision or took her seriously as a female artist, Tems turned to YouTube to teach herself music production, engineering, and songwriting. This self-sufficiency would become her superpower, allowing complete artistic control over her sound.
On July 18, 2018, she released her self-produced debut single “Mr Rebel”—a declaration of independence and artistic identity. The song introduced her unique alternative R&B sound to Nigerian audiences accustomed to more commercial Afrobeats.
In August 2019, she released “Try Me,” which became her breakout hit in Nigeria. The melancholic, introspective track resonated deeply with young Nigerians navigating their own struggles, establishing Tems as an artist unafraid to explore vulnerability and emotional depth.
Global Breakthrough: “Essence” and International Recognition
Tems’ trajectory changed forever on October 30, 2020, when she featured on fellow Nigerian artist Wizkid’s single “Essence” from his album Made in Lagos. Her haunting vocals on the Afrobeats summer anthem created something magical—a song that felt simultaneously Nigerian and universal.
“Essence” became a global phenomenon, earning the distinction of being the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. When Justin Bieber joined a remix in August 2021, the song peaked at number nine, introducing Tems to millions of new listeners worldwide. The track earned Grammy and Soul Train Music Awards nominations and established her as a sought-after collaborator.
That same year, Canadian rapper Drake featured her on “Fountains” from his Certified Lover Boy album, further cementing her international appeal. The song debuted at number 26 on the Hot 100, proving her crossover potential.
Debut Album “Born in the Wild” and Grammy Success
In June 2024, Tems released her long-awaited debut studio album Born in the Wild. The 18-track project showcased her versatility, blending Afro-R&B, soul, and alternative sounds while maintaining lyrical authenticity about survival, growth, and self-discovery.
“To be Born in the Wild means learning to have tough skin and be comfortable in uncertainty,” she explained. The album reflects her journey from shy corporate worker to global superstar, processing the risks and epiphanies along the way.
Lead single “Love Me JeJe”—a reimagining of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 Nigerian classic—topped UK Afrobeats charts and demonstrated her ability to honor African musical heritage while creating something fresh. The album reached the top 30 in the UK, Netherlands, and Switzerland, and peaked at 56 in the US—the highest for any Nigerian female artist.
Historic Grammy Wins
At the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, Tems won Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe,” her second Grammy after winning Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for Future’s “Wait for U.” She received three nominations total in 2025, making her the most-nominated Nigerian artist that year with eight career Grammy nominations.
In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to her mother, whose birthday coincided with the ceremony: “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. To God be the glory, because honestly, He’s changed my life so much.”
Major Achievements and Historic Milestones
First African Artist to Debut at #1 on Billboard Hot 100: When Future’s “Wait for U” (sampling her song “Higher”) debuted atop the chart in 2022, Tems made history as the first African artist to achieve this milestone.
Academy Award Nomination: She received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023), making her the first Nigerian singer nominated in this category.
Billboard Women in Music Award: In March 2024, she became the first African singer to receive this honor, winning in the Breakthrough category.
Leading Vibe Initiative: In August 2025, Tems launched this mentorship platform to support women in music, addressing the industry’s gender disparities. “There are so many talented women that can be producers, managers, audio engineers—but they’re not even visible,” she stated. “I want to make them visible.”
Playing Style and Artistic Philosophy
Tems describes her voice as androgynous, deep, and velvety—qualities that distinguish her in a crowded musical landscape. Her production style is minimalist yet emotionally rich, prioritizing feeling over commercial trends.
“Music is meant to make you feel something. And a lot of music now is for utility, it doesn’t necessarily make you feel something,” she declares. “I really want to feel it in my chest! I want to feel sad, I want to feel happy, I want to feel motivated.”
This philosophy drives her meticulous creative process. She writes, produces, and engineers most of her music herself, maintaining complete artistic control. “I felt like, for my first album, it should be me,” she explained about Born in the Wild.
Personal Life and Values
Tems remains notably private about her personal life, with no public romantic relationships. She’s introverted by nature but uses interviews to discuss mental health, self-awareness, and spiritual inspiration.
She identifies as a YouTube fanatic, preferring educational content over entertainment: “YouTube is my Netflix. I watch interviews, like talking series of really intelligent people,” mentioning favorites like “The Diary Of A CEO.”
Despite fame, she maintains grounded perspective: “I wasn’t thinking, is this working or not working? I was just like, well, I’m going to be me. If being me lands me under the bridge, cool. If it lands me on top of the mountain, cool.” This fearless authenticity has become her trademark.
Challenges and Controversies
In December 2020, Tems and fellow Nigerian artist Omah Lay were arrested in Uganda for performing at a concert despite COVID-19 restrictions. The incident drew international outrage, with many viewing it as selective enforcement. They were detained for two days before charges were dropped.
At the 2023 Oscars, her dramatic white Lever Couture gown with an oversized structured collar sparked controversy when attendees behind her complained they couldn’t see the stage. The incident became a viral moment, though Tems handled it with grace.
Interesting Facts
Self-Taught Everything: Tems learned production, engineering, and mixing entirely from YouTube tutorials.
Church Background: She honed her vocal skills singing in church choirs as a child.
Celine Dion Superfan: The Canadian legend was her earliest musical influence and inspired her emotional vocal style.
Nigerian Soul: She’s credited with pioneering Nigeria’s “alté” scene—a movement blending R&B, Afrobeats, and alternative sounds.
Rihanna Collaborator: She co-wrote “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which Rihanna performed.
Conclusion
Tems’ story is one of profound courage and unwavering authenticity. From shaking in her boss’s office to accepting Grammy Awards, her journey proves that artistic integrity and commercial success need not be mutually exclusive. She didn’t conform to industry expectations; instead, she carved her own path, teaching herself to produce, trusting her unique voice, and refusing to compromise her vision.
What makes her impact even more significant is how she’s opening doors for other African women in music. Through her Leading Vibe Initiative and her own success, she’s demonstrating that women can be producers, engineers, and creative directors—not just performers. She’s redefining what’s possible for African artists on the global stage.
As she continues touring Born in the Wild and working on new music, one thing remains clear: Tems isn’t chasing trends or approval. She’s creating art that moves people, building a legacy rooted in emotional truth and creative fearlessness. In her own words, she’s simply being herself—and that self happens to be reshaping contemporary music’s landscape, one soul-stirring song at a time.
FAQs
Who is Tems? Tems (Temilade Openiyi) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer who rose to global fame through her collaboration on Wizkid’s “Essence.” She’s a two-time Grammy winner and the first African artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
What is Tems’ most famous song? “Essence” with Wizkid (featuring Justin Bieber on the remix) is her most famous song, becoming the first Nigerian track to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Grammy nominations.
How many Grammys has Tems won? Tems has won two Grammy Awards: Best Melodic Rap Performance (2023) for “Wait for U” and Best African Music Performance (2025) for “Love Me JeJe.” She has eight total Grammy nominations.
What is Tems’ net worth? While exact figures aren’t publicly confirmed, estimates place Tems’ net worth between $2-5 million based on streaming royalties, performances, and collaborations with major artists.
What does Tems mean by “Born in the Wild”? For Tems, being “Born in the Wild” means developing tough skin and learning to be comfortable with uncertainty—qualities she cultivated throughout her unconventional journey to stardom.