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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Tems
| name = Tems
| image = Tems on NdaniTV Sessions -cropped.png
| image = File:Tems on NdaniTV Sessions -cropped.png
| caption = Tems on [[NdaniTV]] Sessions in 2019
| caption = Tems in 2019
| birth_name = Temilade Openiyi
| birth_name = Temilade Openiyi
| alias =
| alias =
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| years_active = 2018–present
| years_active = 2018–present
| label = {{flatlist|
| label = {{flatlist|
* Since '93
* [[Since '93]]
* [[RCA Records|RCA]]
* [[RCA Records|RCA]]
* Leading Vibes
* Leading Vibes
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}}
}}


'''Temilade Openiyi''' (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as '''Tems''', is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The sweet, arresting harmonies of Nigeria's Tems|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/03/09/tems-mr-rebel-try-me-interview|access-date=4 August 2021|website=The FADER|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Tems – Grammy Award">{{Cite web |title=Tems – Grammy Award |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/Tems/38505 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=[[Grammy Award]]}}</ref> She rose to prominence after being featured on [[Wizkid]]'s 2020 single "[[Essence (Wizkid song)|Essence]]", which peaked at number 8 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] chart following the release of the remix version with [[Justin Bieber]]. The song earned her a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nomination.<ref name="Akinyode">{{Cite web |last=Akinyode |first=Peace |date=30 August 2023 |title=I was okay with people not liking my music - Tems |url=https://punchng.com/i-was-okay-with-people-not-liking-my-music-tems/ |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Tems – Grammy Award"/> That same year, she was featured on the song "[[Fountains (song)|Fountains]]" by Canadian rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tems Biography, Songs, Age, Education, and Net Worth |url=https://vk.com/@-175923414-rss-1031911289-2044132150 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=VK |language=en}}</ref>
'''Temilade Openiyi''' (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as '''Tems''' is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The sweet, arresting harmonies of Nigeria's Tems|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/03/09/tems-mr-rebel-try-me-interview|access-date=4 August 2021|website=The FADER|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Tems – Grammy Award">{{Cite web |title=Tems – Grammy Award |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/Tems/38505 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=[[Grammy Award]]}}</ref> She rose to prominence after being featured on [[Wizkid]]'s 2020 single "[[Essence (Wizkid song)|Essence]]", which peaked at number 8 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] chart following the release of the remix version with [[Justin Bieber]]. The song earned her a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nomination.<ref name="Akinyode">{{Cite web |last=Akinyode |first=Peace |date=30 August 2023 |title=I was okay with people not liking my music - Tems |url=https://punchng.com/i-was-okay-with-people-not-liking-my-music-tems/ |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Tems – Grammy Award"/> That same year, she was featured on the song "[[Fountains (song)|Fountains]]" by Canadian rapper [[Drake (musician)|Drake]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tems Biography, Songs, Age, Education, and Net Worth |url=https://vk.com/@-175923414-rss-1031911289-2044132150 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=VK |language=en}}</ref>


In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, ''[[For Broken Ears]]''. Her second extended play, ''[[If Orange Was a Place]]'' (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Tems Signs to Since '93/RCA, Named Apple Music 'Up Next' Artist|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9630254/tems-signs-since-93-rca-records-apple-music-up-next-artist/|access-date=2 October 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref> In 2022, Tems' vocals from her song "[[Higher (Tems song)|Higher]]" were sampled by [[Future (rapper)|Future]] on his single, "[[Wait for U]]", which led to her being credited as a featured artist alongside [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] on the song. It debuted atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making her the first African artist to debut at number one and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart.<ref name="Akinyode"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=9 May 2022 |title=Tems Is The First African Artist To Debut At No. 1 On The Hot 100 |url=https://uproxx.com/music/tems-first-african-artist-no-1-hot-100-chart/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=[[Uproxx]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The song earned her the [[Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/arts/music/grammys-2023-winners-list.html|title=Grammys 2023: Winners List|work=The New York Times|date=5 February 2023|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> Tems covered [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[No Woman, No Cry]]" for the ''[[Black Panther: Wakanda Forever]]'' [[Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (soundtrack)|soundtrack album]] in July 2022<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Nigeria's Tems joins Marvelverse with "No woman No Cry" rendition - Businessday NG |url=https://businessday.ng/amp/life-arts/article/nigerias-tems-joins-marvelverse-with-no-woman-no-cry-rendition/ |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=businessday.ng|date=25 July 2022 }}</ref> and in the same month, her song "[[Free Mind]]" from her debut EP debuted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on [[R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Trevor |date=18 May 2023 |title=Tems' 'Free Mind' Breaks Female Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/tems-free-mind-number-1-record-rb-hip-hop-airplay-chart-1235331860/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2023 |title=Nigerians celebrate Tems' Grammy rap award |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64538716 |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> She also co-wrote the song "[[Lift Me Up (Rihanna song)|Lift Me Up]]" by [[Rihanna]], which earned her nominations for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corrine |first=Amber |date=24 January 2023 |title=Rihanna Earns 2023 Oscar Nomination For 'Black Panther' Song 'Lift Me Up' |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/rihanna-oscar-nomination-lift-me-up-2023-1234729460/ |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=VIBE.com}}</ref> the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |title=Tems, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Angela Bassett & Viola Davis nominated for 2023 Globe Globe Awards |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/12/2023-golden-globes-nomination/ |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=www.bellanaija.com |date=12 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=www.grammy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2023 |title=Tems music, videos, stats, and photos |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Tems |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Last.fm |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, ''[[For Broken Ears]]''. Her second extended play, ''[[If Orange Was a Place]]'' (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Tems Signs to Since '93/RCA, Named Apple Music 'Up Next' Artist|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9630254/tems-signs-since-93-rca-records-apple-music-up-next-artist/|access-date=2 October 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref> In 2022, Tems' vocals from her song "[[Higher (Tems song)|Higher]]" were sampled by [[Future (rapper)|Future]] on his single, "[[Wait for U]]", which led to her being credited as a featured artist alongside [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] on the song. It debuted atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making her the first African artist to debut at number one and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart.<ref name="Akinyode"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=9 May 2022 |title=Tems Is The First African Artist To Debut At No. 1 On The Hot 100 |url=https://uproxx.com/music/tems-first-african-artist-no-1-hot-100-chart/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=[[Uproxx]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The song earned her the [[Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/arts/music/grammys-2023-winners-list.html|title=Grammys 2023: Winners List|work=The New York Times|date=5 February 2023|access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref> Tems covered [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[No Woman, No Cry]]" for the ''[[Black Panther: Wakanda Forever]]'' [[Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (soundtrack)|soundtrack album]] in July 2022<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Nigeria's Tems joins Marvelverse with "No woman No Cry" rendition - Businessday NG |url=https://businessday.ng/amp/life-arts/article/nigerias-tems-joins-marvelverse-with-no-woman-no-cry-rendition/ |access-date=25 July 2022 |website=businessday.ng|date=25 July 2022 }}</ref> and in the same month, her song "[[Free Mind]]" from her debut EP debuted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on [[R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Trevor |date=18 May 2023 |title=Tems' 'Free Mind' Breaks Female Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/tems-free-mind-number-1-record-rb-hip-hop-airplay-chart-1235331860/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2023 |title=Nigerians celebrate Tems' Grammy rap award |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64538716 |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> She also co-wrote and rendered background vocals on the song "[[Lift Me Up (Rihanna song)|Lift Me Up]]" by [[Rihanna]], which earned her nominations for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corrine |first=Amber |date=24 January 2023 |title=Rihanna Earns 2023 Oscar Nomination For 'Black Panther' Song 'Lift Me Up' |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/rihanna-oscar-nomination-lift-me-up-2023-1234729460/ |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=VIBE.com}}</ref> the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |title=Tems, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Angela Bassett & Viola Davis nominated for 2023 Globe Globe Awards |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/12/2023-golden-globes-nomination/ |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=www.bellanaija.com |date=12 December 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Grammy Nominations: See The Full Nominees List {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |access-date=11 November 2023 |website=www.grammy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 2023 |title=Tems music, videos, stats, and photos |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Tems |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Last.fm |language=en}}</ref>


In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album ''[[Born in the Wild]]'' to critical acclaim. The album reached the top thirty in the [[Dutch Album Top 100|Netherlands]], [[Swiss Hitparade|Switzerland]] and in the [[UK Albums Chart|United Kingdom]] where it peaked at number 24. She further embarked on her ongoing [[Born in the Wild Tour]], a supporting world tour.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=10 May 2024 |title=Tems Announces Debut Album's Release Date & World Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tems-debut-album-release-date-world-tour-dates-1235680289/ |access-date=10 May 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=10 May 2024 |title=Tems Unveils 2024 World Tour and Debut Album Release Date: 'My Most Special Moment' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/tems-born-in-the-wild-world-tour-album-1235998918/ |access-date=10 May 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album ''[[Born in the Wild]]'' to critical acclaim. The album reached the top thirty in the [[Dutch Album Top 100|Netherlands]], [[Swiss Hitparade|Switzerland]] and in the [[UK Albums Chart|United Kingdom]] where it peaked at number 24. She further embarked on her ongoing [[Born in the Wild Tour]], a supporting world tour.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=10 May 2024 |title=Tems Announces Debut Album's Release Date & World Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tems-debut-album-release-date-world-tour-dates-1235680289/ |access-date=10 May 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=10 May 2024 |title=Tems Unveils 2024 World Tour and Debut Album Release Date: 'My Most Special Moment' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/tems-born-in-the-wild-world-tour-album-1235998918/ |access-date=10 May 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Tems received three nominations at the [[67th Annual Grammy Awards]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album|Best Global Music Album]], "[[Burning (Tems song)|Burning]]" for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B song]] and "[[Love Me JeJe]]" for [[Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance|Best African Music Performance]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiemeke |first=Jerry |date=2024-11-09 |title=Out Of Africa: Tems, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Other African Artistes Earn GRAMMY Nominations {{!}} The British Blacklist |url=https://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/out-of-africa-tems-wizkid-yemi-alade-other-african-artistes-earn-grammy-nominations/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=2024-11-08 |title=Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Complete List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2024-11-08 |title=Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar Lead 2025 Grammy Nominees |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/grammy-nominations-2025-list-1235156923/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>


Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]], a [[Billboard Women in Music|Billboard Women in Music Award]], four [[NAACP Image Awards]], four [[BET Awards]]<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Quayyim |first=Adedimeji |date=22 February 2023 |title=Tems, Wizkid clinch wins at the NAACP Image Awards |url=https://culturecustodian.com/tems-wizkid-clinch-wins-at-the-naacp-image-awards/ |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB}}</ref> and three [[Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Beresford |first1=Trilby |last2=Coates |first2=Tyler |date=27 February 2022 |title=2022 NAACP Image Awards: 'The Harder They Fall' Takes Best Film, Jennifer Hudson Named Entertainer of the Year |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/naacp-image-awards-2022-winners-list-1235100121/ |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Respers France |first=Lisa |date=29 November 2021 |title=Soul Train Awards 2021: The winners list |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/29/entertainment/soul-train-2021-winners-list/index.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breaking: BET Soul Train Awards 2022 Winners (Full List) |url=https://techscoopsng.com/bet-soul-train-awards-2022-winners-full-list/ |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=Techscoops |publisher=Tolulope Olulana}}</ref><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=12 March 2024 |title=NAACP Image Award Winners List: Victoria Monét, Chris Brown and 'The Color Purple' Nab Early Wins at Virtual Ceremony |url=https://variety.com/2024/awards/awards/naacp-image-award-winners-list-2024-1235938776/ |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=Variety}}</ref>
Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]], a [[Billboard Women in Music|Billboard Women in Music Award]], four [[NAACP Image Awards]], four [[BET Awards]]<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Quayyim |first=Adedimeji |date=22 February 2023 |title=Tems, Wizkid clinch wins at the NAACP Image Awards |url=https://culturecustodian.com/tems-wizkid-clinch-wins-at-the-naacp-image-awards/ |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB}}</ref> and three [[Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Beresford |first1=Trilby |last2=Coates |first2=Tyler |date=27 February 2022 |title=2022 NAACP Image Awards: 'The Harder They Fall' Takes Best Film, Jennifer Hudson Named Entertainer of the Year |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/naacp-image-awards-2022-winners-list-1235100121/ |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Respers France |first=Lisa |date=29 November 2021 |title=Soul Train Awards 2021: The winners list |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/29/entertainment/soul-train-2021-winners-list/index.html |access-date=2 March 2022 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Breaking: BET Soul Train Awards 2022 Winners (Full List) |url=https://techscoopsng.com/bet-soul-train-awards-2022-winners-full-list/ |access-date=27 November 2022 |website=Techscoops |publisher=Tolulope Olulana}}</ref><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=12 March 2024 |title=NAACP Image Award Winners List: Victoria Monét, Chris Brown and 'The Color Purple' Nab Early Wins at Virtual Ceremony |url=https://variety.com/2024/awards/awards/naacp-image-award-winners-list-2024-1235938776/ |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=Variety}}</ref>
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=== 2018–2021: Career beginnings and extended plays ===
=== 2018–2021: Career beginnings and extended plays ===
In 2018, Tems quit her job in digital marketing to pursue a career in music. She began to learn self production skills on [[YouTube]]<ref name=":0" /> and on July 18th, 2018, she released her debut single, "Mr Rebel", a song which she produced by herself.<ref name="reb" /> On 7 August 2019, she released the single "Try Me".<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=6 February 2020|title=Interview: Tems Is On a Mission to Take Over|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/tems-try-me-nigerian-music-interview/|access-date=25 December 2020|website=[[OkayAfrica]]}}</ref> In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of "ten artists to watch" that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rema|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/african-music-artists-to-watch-2020-dj-edu-bbc-radio/?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1?rebelltitem=1|date=6 February 2020|website=[[OkayAfrica]]|access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref> On 23 April 2020, Tems was featured alongside fellow Nigerian singer [[Davido]] on a reworked version of American singer-songwriter [[Khalid (singer)|Khalid]] and English [[electronic music]] duo [[Disclosure (band)|Disclosure]]'s single, "[[Know Your Worth]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khalid Recruits Davido and Tems on New Single 'Know Your Worth (Remix)'|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/listen-to-khalid-davido-tems-new-music/|date=23 April 2020|website=[[OkayAfrica]]|access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garel |first=Connor |date=15 January 2024 |title=No One Sounds Like Tems |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/who-is-tems-cut-cover-interview-music.html |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref>
In 2018, Tems quit her job in digital marketing to pursue a career in music. She began to learn self production skills on [[YouTube]]<ref name=":0" /> and on July 18th, 2018, she released her debut single, "Mr Rebel", a song which she produced by herself.<ref name="reb" /> On 7 August 2019, she released the single "Try Me".<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=6 February 2020|title=Interview: Tems Is On a Mission to Take Over|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/tems-try-me-nigerian-music-interview/|access-date=25 December 2020|website=[[OkayAfrica]]}}</ref> In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of "ten artists to watch" that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rema|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/african-music-artists-to-watch-2020-dj-edu-bbc-radio/?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1?rebelltitem=1|date=6 February 2020|website=[[OkayAfrica]]|access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref> On 23 April 2020, Tems was featured alongside fellow Nigerian singer [[Davido]] on a reworked version of American singer-songwriter [[Khalid (American singer)|Khalid]] and English [[electronic music]] duo [[Disclosure (band)|Disclosure]]'s single, "[[Know Your Worth]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khalid Recruits Davido and Tems on New Single 'Know Your Worth (Remix)'|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/listen-to-khalid-davido-tems-new-music/|date=23 April 2020|website=[[OkayAfrica]]|access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garel |first=Connor |date=15 January 2024 |title=No One Sounds Like Tems |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/who-is-tems-cut-cover-interview-music.html |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref>


On 25 September 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, ''[[For Broken Ears]]''. It was produced primarily by her and the single "[[Damages (song)|Damages]]" from the EP became another follow up hit to "Try Me", peaking at number one on the Nigerian [[Apple Music]] chart and number six on the then-newly launched [[TurnTable Top 50 chart|TurnTable Top 50]] chart and garnering five million views on YouTube. On 30 October 2020, Tems was featured on fellow Nigerian singer [[Wizkid]]'s single, "[[Essence (Wizkid song)|Essence]]", from the latter's fourth studio album, ''[[Made in Lagos]]''. The song earned her a number one spot on [[BBC 1Xtra]] Airplay Chart.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart|url=https://ukairplaychart.com/1239/BBC_1Xtra/|access-date=30 January 2021|website=ukairplaychart.com|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120125450/https://ukairplaychart.com/1239/BBC_1Xtra/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Essence of Wizkid and Tems|url=https://mp3chord.com/entertainment/the-essence-of-wizkid-and-tems/|access-date=10 April 2021|website=Mp3chord.com|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064132/https://mp3chord.com/entertainment/the-essence-of-wizkid-and-tems/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and also earned her first career entry on [[Billboard Hot 100]] at number 9.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9601362/wizkid-essence-enters-hot-100|title=Wizkid's Essence Enters Hot 100 Shoutout to Good Music Lovers Everywhere|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| date=15 July 2021|access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref> Tems won a [[Soul Train Music Awards]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine|title=H.E.R. Is Top Nominee at 2021 Soul Train Awards; Maxwell & Ashanti to Receive Special Awards: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9654359/her-2021-soul-train-awards-nominees|access-date=2 November 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> two [[NAACP Image Awards]],<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Spivey|first=Kemberlie|date=19 January 2022|title=2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kemberliespivey/2022/01/18/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-the-full-list/|access-date=20 January 2022|website=[[Forbes]]|language=en}}</ref> and received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance|Best Global Music Performance]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|title=Wizkid, Burnaboy, oda Nigerian artists wey dey 2022 Grammy nomination|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/media-59394925|access-date=23 November 2021}}</ref> On 8 November 2020, Tems was included in [[The Future Awards Africa]]: Class of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020 |url=https://awards.yafri.ca/the-future-awards-africa-class-of-2020/ |website=The Future Awards Africa |access-date=16 June 2021 |date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024171531/https://awards.yafri.ca/the-future-awards-africa-class-of-2020/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 25 September 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, ''[[For Broken Ears]]''. It was produced primarily by her and the single "[[Damages (song)|Damages]]" from the EP became another follow up hit to "Try Me", peaking at number one on the Nigerian [[Apple Music]] chart and number six on the then-newly launched [[TurnTable Top 50 chart|TurnTable Top 50]] chart and garnering five million views on YouTube. On 30 October 2020, Tems was featured on fellow Nigerian singer [[Wizkid]]'s single, "[[Essence (Wizkid song)|Essence]]", from the latter's fourth studio album, ''[[Made in Lagos]]''. The song earned her a number one spot on [[BBC 1Xtra]] Airplay Chart.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart|url=https://ukairplaychart.com/1239/BBC_1Xtra/|access-date=30 January 2021|website=ukairplaychart.com|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120125450/https://ukairplaychart.com/1239/BBC_1Xtra/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Essence of Wizkid and Tems|url=https://mp3chord.com/entertainment/the-essence-of-wizkid-and-tems/|access-date=10 April 2021|website=Mp3chord.com|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064132/https://mp3chord.com/entertainment/the-essence-of-wizkid-and-tems/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and also earned her first career entry on [[Billboard Hot 100]] at number 9.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9601362/wizkid-essence-enters-hot-100|title=Wizkid's Essence Enters Hot 100 Shoutout to Good Music Lovers Everywhere|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| date=15 July 2021|access-date=4 August 2021}}</ref> Tems won a [[Soul Train Music Awards]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine|title=H.E.R. Is Top Nominee at 2021 Soul Train Awards; Maxwell & Ashanti to Receive Special Awards: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9654359/her-2021-soul-train-awards-nominees|access-date=2 November 2021|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> two [[NAACP Image Awards]],<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Spivey|first=Kemberlie|date=19 January 2022|title=2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kemberliespivey/2022/01/18/2022-naacp-image-awards-nominations-the-full-list/|access-date=20 January 2022|website=[[Forbes]]|language=en}}</ref> and received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance|Best Global Music Performance]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|title=Wizkid, Burnaboy, oda Nigerian artists wey dey 2022 Grammy nomination|work=BBC News Pidgin|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/media-59394925|access-date=23 November 2021}}</ref> On 8 November 2020, Tems was included in [[The Future Awards Africa]]: Class of 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020 |url=https://awards.yafri.ca/the-future-awards-africa-class-of-2020/ |website=The Future Awards Africa |access-date=16 June 2021 |date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024171531/https://awards.yafri.ca/the-future-awards-africa-class-of-2020/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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Furthermore, Tems was listed on the 2023 ''[[Time 100 Next]]'' list<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=13 September 2023 |title=2023 TIME100 Next: Tems |url=https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2023/6308477/tems/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Akinyode |first=Peace |date=14 September 2023 |title=Tems makes TIME Magazine's 2023 Next 100 list |url=https://punchng.com/tems-makes-time-magazines-2023-next-100-list/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref>
Furthermore, Tems was listed on the 2023 ''[[Time 100 Next]]'' list<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=13 September 2023 |title=2023 TIME100 Next: Tems |url=https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2023/6308477/tems/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Akinyode |first=Peace |date=14 September 2023 |title=Tems makes TIME Magazine's 2023 Next 100 list |url=https://punchng.com/tems-makes-time-magazines-2023-next-100-list/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref>


On 5 October 2023, Tems released the single "[[Me & U (Tems song)|Me & U]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Soencer |first=Tallie |date=5 October 2023 |title=Tems Shares New Hypnotic Single "Me & U" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/721295-tems-shares-new-single-me-u |access-date=6 October 2023 |website=www.hotnewhiphop.com}}</ref> The song marks Tems's first solo output since ''If Orange Was a Place'', excluding her cover of [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[No Woman, No Cry]]" which was released in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tems returns with the brand new single, "Me & U" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tems-returns-with-the-brand-new-single-me-u |access-date=13 October 2023 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref> Me & U peaked at number 1 on the [[UK Afrobeats Singles Chart]] and number 34 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] while in the United States, it reached number 10 on [[Bubbling Under Hot 100|Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100]] chart.<ref name=":14">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/58660/tems/|title=Tems songs and albums {{!}} full Official Chart history|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref>
On 5 October 2023, Tems released the single "[[Me & U (Tems song)|Me & U]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Soencer |first=Tallie |date=5 October 2023 |title=Tems Shares New Hypnotic Single "Me & U" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/721295-tems-shares-new-single-me-u |access-date=6 October 2023 |website=www.hotnewhiphop.com}}</ref> The song marks Tems's first solo output since ''If Orange Was a Place'', excluding her cover of [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[No Woman, No Cry]]" which was released in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tems returns with the brand new single, "Me & U" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/tems-returns-with-the-brand-new-single-me-u |access-date=13 October 2023 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref> Me & U peaked at number 1 on the [[UK Afrobeats Singles Chart]] and number 34 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] while in the United States, it reached number 10 on [[Bubbling Under Hot 100|Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100]] chart.<ref name=":14">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/58660/tems/|title=Tems songs and albums {{!}} full Official Chart history|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref>
"Me & U" received an award for Outstanding International Song at the [[55th NAACP Image Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=2024-03-12 |title=NAACP Image Award Winners List: Victoria Monét, Chris Brown and ‘The Color Purple’ Nab Early Wins at Virtual Ceremony |url=https://variety.com/2024/awards/awards/naacp-image-award-winners-list-2024-1235938776/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> and a BET Award for [[BET Award for Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award|Dr. Bobby
Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award]].


On 5 December 2023, Tems announced that her second single of the year "[[Not an Angel]]" would be released on 8 December.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tems Not An Angel Single Release Date Confirmed |work=Uproxx |url=https://uproxx.com/music/tems-not-an-angel-single-release-date/ |access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref>
On 5 December 2023, Tems announced that her second single of the year "[[Not an Angel]]" would be released on 8 December.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Tems Not An Angel Single Release Date Confirmed |work=Uproxx |url=https://uproxx.com/music/tems-not-an-angel-single-release-date/ |access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref>
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The album was a commercial success reaching the top thirty in the [[UK Albums Chart|UK]], [[Dutch Charts|Netherlands]] and [[Swiss Hitparade|Switzerland]]. In the [[Billboard 200|US]], it peaked at fifty six becoming the highest peak for an album by a Nigerian female artist. Tems began her ongoing [[Born in the Wild Tour]] in June and will be on tour till November.<ref name=":17" />
The album was a commercial success reaching the top thirty in the [[UK Albums Chart|UK]], [[Dutch Charts|Netherlands]] and [[Swiss Hitparade|Switzerland]]. In the [[Billboard 200|US]], it peaked at fifty six becoming the highest peak for an album by a Nigerian female artist. Tems began her ongoing [[Born in the Wild Tour]] in June and will be on tour till November.<ref name=":17" />
Tems received the highest nomination for an African act at the [[67th Annual Grammy Awards]], earning three nominations: ''Born in the Wild'' for [[Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album|Best Global Music Album]], "[[Burning (Tems song)|Burning]]" for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B song]] and "[[Love Me JeJe]]" for [[Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance|Best African Music Performance]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiemeke |first=Jerry |date=2024-11-09 |title=Out Of Africa: Tems, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Other African Artistes Earn GRAMMY Nominations {{!}} The British Blacklist |url=https://thebritishblacklist.co.uk/out-of-africa-tems-wizkid-yemi-alade-other-african-artistes-earn-grammy-nominations/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=2024-11-08 |title=Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Complete List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2024-11-08 |title=Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar Lead 2025 Grammy Nominees |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/grammy-nominations-2025-list-1235156923/ |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Artistry ==
== Artistry ==
Tems' mother only allowed her to listen to [[Christian music]] when Tems was a child. Later in her teenage years, she became interested in [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[hip hop music]]. She listened to [[Destiny's Child]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Lil Wayne]], and [[Aaliyah]], and covered [[Alicia Keys]]' 2004 single, "[[If I Ain't Got You]]", in a live performance. Growing up, she was also interested in artists such as [[Burna Boy]], [[Lauryn Hill]], [[Adele]], [[Rihanna]], [[Coldplay]], [[Paramore]], and [[Aṣa|Asa]].<ref name=":4" /> At the age of 15, she stopped listening to other artists in search of her own identity, because "I wanted to learn how to attack a song from what I was feeling, not what Beyoncé would do or anyone else".<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |title=Artist to watch: 5 things to know about Tems |url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/artist-to-watch-5-things-to-know-about-tems-4cfacecd-7963-4581-a448-5491a3405502 |access-date=28 December 2021|website=gq.co.za|language=en}}</ref> Her voice has been described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.<ref name=":5"/><ref name=":4"/>
Tems' mother only allowed her to listen to [[Christian music]] when she was a child. Later in her teenage years, she became interested in [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[hip hop music]]. She listened to [[Destiny's Child]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Lil Wayne]], and [[Aaliyah]], and covered [[Alicia Keys]]' 2004 single, "[[If I Ain't Got You]]", in a live performance. Growing up, she was also interested in artists such as [[Burna Boy]], [[Lauryn Hill]], [[Adele]], [[Rihanna]], [[Coldplay]], [[Paramore]], and [[Aṣa|Asa]].<ref name=":4" /> At the age of 15, she stopped listening to other artists in search of her own identity, because she "wanted to learn how to attack a song from what I was feeling, not what Beyoncé would do or anyone else".<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |title=Artist to watch: 5 things to know about Tems |url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/artist-to-watch-5-things-to-know-about-tems-4cfacecd-7963-4581-a448-5491a3405502 |access-date=28 December 2021|website=gq.co.za|language=en}}</ref> Her voice has been described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.<ref name=":5"/><ref name=":4"/>


==Legal issues==
==Legal issues==
On 14 December 2020, Tems was arrested alongside fellow Nigerian singer [[Omah Lay]] after they performed in a show in [[Uganda]]. The Ugandan police authority identified violation of COVID-19 lockdown protocols as the reason for their arrests, but the two artists felt they were set up.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Why Uganda Police do U-turn for Omah Lay release, tie am 'handcuffs' |work=BBC News Pidgin |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55265376|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 December 2020|title=Nigerian star Omah Lay arrested after Uganda gig|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/nigerian-star-omah-lay-arrested-after-uganda-gig/|access-date=5 April 2021 |website=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, and apologised for the arrests and dropped the charges against the two artists.<ref name="Paulinus">{{cite news |last1=Paulinus |first1=Aidoghie |title=Uganda apologized to FG over arrest of singer Omah Lay, others |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/uganda-apologises-to-fg-over-arrest-of-singer-omah-lay-others/ |access-date=15 June 2021 |publisher=The Sun (Nigeria) |date=16 December 2020}}</ref>
On 14 December 2020, Tems was arrested alongside fellow Nigerian singer [[Omah Lay]] after they performed in a show in [[Uganda]]. The Ugandan police authority identified a violation of COVID-19 lockdown protocols as the reason for their arrests, but the two artists felt they were set up.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Why Uganda Police do U-turn for Omah Lay release, tie am 'handcuffs' |work=BBC News Pidgin |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-55265376|access-date=5 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 December 2020|title=Nigerian star Omah Lay arrested after Uganda gig|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/nigerian-star-omah-lay-arrested-after-uganda-gig/|access-date=5 April 2021 |website=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, apologised for the arrests and dropped the charges against the two artists.<ref name="Paulinus">{{cite news |last1=Paulinus |first1=Aidoghie |title=Uganda apologized to FG over arrest of singer Omah Lay, others |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/uganda-apologises-to-fg-over-arrest-of-singer-omah-lay-others/ |access-date=15 June 2021 |publisher=The Sun (Nigeria) |date=16 December 2020}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
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== Awards and nominations ==
== Awards and nominations ==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Tems}}
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Tems}}
On 5 February 2023, Tems won a [[Best Melodic Rap Performance]] [[Grammy]] for her collaboration on "[[Wait For U]]" with [[Future (rapper)|Future]] and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 February 2023|title=Tems Wins Her First Grammy Award|url=https://africanfolder.com/tems-wins-her-first-grammy-award/|access-date=6 February 2023|website=Africanfolder.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=www.grammy.com}}</ref>
On 5 February 2023, Tems won a [[Best Melodic Rap Performance]] [[Grammy]] for her collaboration on "[[Wait For U]]" with [[Future (rapper)|Future]] and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 February 2023|title=Tems Wins Her First Grammy Award|url=https://africanfolder.com/tems-wins-her-first-grammy-award/|access-date=6 February 2023|website=Africanfolder.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Grammy Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=www.grammy.com}}</ref>
That same month, she won the Female MVP award at the [[Soundcity MVP Awards]] held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)
That same month, she won the Female MVP award at the [[Soundcity MVP Awards]] held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)
|url=https://africanfolder.com/burnaboy-black-sherif-win-at-the-soundcity-mvp-awards-2023-full-winners-list/|website=African Folder |date=12 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref>
|url=https://africanfolder.com/burnaboy-black-sherif-win-at-the-soundcity-mvp-awards-2023-full-winners-list/|website=African Folder |date=12 February 2023 |access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref>
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[[Category:Nigerian alté singers]]
[[Category:Nigerian alté singers]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Afrobeats musicians]]
[[Category:Nigerian Afrobeats musicians]]

Latest revision as of 17:38, 7 December 2024

This article is about the Nigerian singer. For the singular of Tems, see Tem. For other uses, see TEMS.

Tems
Tems in 2019
Tems in 2019
Background information
Birth nameTemilade Openiyi
Born (1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 (age 29)
Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2018–present
Labels
Websiteleadingvibe.com

Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as Tems is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.[2][3] She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination.[4][3] That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.[5]

In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. Her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with RCA Records.[6] In 2022, Tems' vocals from her song "Higher" were sampled by Future on his single, "Wait for U", which led to her being credited as a featured artist alongside Drake on the song. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to debut at number one and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart.[4][7] The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.[8] Tems covered Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack album in July 2022[9] and in the same month, her song "Free Mind" from her debut EP debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[10][11] She also co-wrote and rendered background vocals on the song "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song,[12] the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song[13] and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.[14][15]

In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album Born in the Wild to critical acclaim. The album reached the top thirty in the Netherlands, Switzerland and in the United Kingdom where it peaked at number 24. She further embarked on her ongoing Born in the Wild Tour, a supporting world tour.[16][17] Tems received three nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Album, "Burning" for Best R&B song and "Love Me JeJe" for Best African Music Performance.[18][19][20]

Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards[21] and three Soul Train Music Awards.[22][23][24][21][25][26]

Early life

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Openiyi was born on 11 June 1995 in Lagos, Nigeria. She is of Yoruba ethnicity.[27][28][29][30] Her family relocated to the UK when she was an infant, then returned to Nigeria following her parents' separation, when she was five years old.[31][32] Tems resided in Ilupeju before moving to Lekki and later Ajah.[33]

Openiyi attended Dowen College for her secondary education and Monash South Africa for her tertiary education, where she obtained a degree in Economics.[32][34][35]

At school she was frequently bullied because of her voice, but was noticed by her music teacher and learned to play the piano. She practiced singing with her brother, who often accompanied her on guitar.[36][37]

Career

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2018–2021: Career beginnings and extended plays

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In 2018, Tems quit her job in digital marketing to pursue a career in music. She began to learn self production skills on YouTube[34] and on July 18th, 2018, she released her debut single, "Mr Rebel", a song which she produced by herself.[36] On 7 August 2019, she released the single "Try Me".[31] In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of "ten artists to watch" that year.[38] On 23 April 2020, Tems was featured alongside fellow Nigerian singer Davido on a reworked version of American singer-songwriter Khalid and English electronic music duo Disclosure's single, "Know Your Worth".[39][40]

On 25 September 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. It was produced primarily by her and the single "Damages" from the EP became another follow up hit to "Try Me", peaking at number one on the Nigerian Apple Music chart and number six on the then-newly launched TurnTable Top 50 chart and garnering five million views on YouTube. On 30 October 2020, Tems was featured on fellow Nigerian singer Wizkid's single, "Essence", from the latter's fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. The song earned her a number one spot on BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart.[41][42] and also earned her first career entry on Billboard Hot 100 at number 9.[43] Tems won a Soul Train Music Awards,[44] two NAACP Image Awards,[45] and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Global Music Performance.[46] On 8 November 2020, Tems was included in The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020.[47]

On 13 August 2021, a reworked version of "Essence", which contains an additional feature from Canadian singer Justin Bieber, was released, which propelled the song to reach number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. On 3 September 2021, Tems was featured on Canadian rapper and singer Drake's song, "Fountains", from the latter's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, which debuted at number 26 on the Hot 100.[48][49] On 15 September 2021, Tems released her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place, after being signed to RCA records.[50] It was primarily produced by GuiltyBeatz, and the single "Crazy Tings" was released five days before and peaked at number three on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[51][52] Later, Tems reached number one on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart[53] and the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.[54]

2022–2023: Breakthrough

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On 31 March 2022, Apple Music 1 Launched Leading Vibe Radio Show With Tems.[55] On 2 April, its first episode features an appearance from Muyiwa Awoniyi, and Tunji Balogun.[56] On 29 April 2022, Tems was featured alongside Drake on American rapper Future's single, "Wait for U", from the latter's ninth studio album, I Never Liked You. The song debuted atop the Hot 100, making Tems the first African female artist to top the chart and more so debut atop the chart.[57] The song samples the song "Higher" from For Broken Ears.[58]

In July 2022, Tems covered Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry for the Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack which she was credited alongside Rihanna.[9] On 26 July, Tems gained her fourth Hot 100 with her song "Free Mind" from For Broken Ears which debuted on the chart peaking at number 44 and number 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats song chart. It earned her her first platinum and silver solo certification in the United States and United Kingdom.[59][60][61] In July 2022, Tems was announced as a guest artist on Beyoncé's album Renaissance,[62] collaborating on the song "Move" with Grace Jones, becoming her fifth entry on the Hot 100.[63] In October 2022, she co-wrote Rihanna's song "Lift Me Up" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.[64]

Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Tems were nominated at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards for "Best Original Song — Motion Picture" for "Lift Me Up" from the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.[65][66]

In 2023, Future, Drake, and Tems won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U". Thus, it marks the first female Nigerian artiste to win a Grammy Award.[67][68]

Tems won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards, which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos in February 2023.[69] In May 2023, Tems was invited to fashion's biggest night out, the Met Gala.

Furthermore, Tems was listed on the 2023 Time 100 Next list[70][71]

On 5 October 2023, Tems released the single "Me & U".[72] The song marks Tems's first solo output since If Orange Was a Place, excluding her cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" which was released in 2022.[73] Me & U peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart while in the United States, it reached number 10 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[74] "Me & U" received an award for Outstanding International Song at the 55th NAACP Image Awards[75] and a BET Award for Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award.

On 5 December 2023, Tems announced that her second single of the year "Not an Angel" would be released on 8 December.[76]

2024–Present: Born in the Wild

[edit]

In March 2024, Tems became the first African singer to be awarded a Billboard Women in Music Award in which she received under the Breakthrough category.[25][77] Tems's debut studio album Born in the Wild was released on 7 June and will be supported by a world tour.[78] The second single "Love Me JeJe" off the album was announced and previewed on Tems's debut Coachella set and was released on 25 April.[79][80] Tems further appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and on NPR Tiny Desk Concert to promote the album performing the then unreleased songs from the album.[81]

The album was a commercial success reaching the top thirty in the UK, Netherlands and Switzerland. In the US, it peaked at fifty six becoming the highest peak for an album by a Nigerian female artist. Tems began her ongoing Born in the Wild Tour in June and will be on tour till November.[17] Tems received the highest nomination for an African act at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, earning three nominations: Born in the Wild for Best Global Music Album, "Burning" for Best R&B song and "Love Me JeJe" for Best African Music Performance.[82][83][84]

Artistry

[edit]

Tems' mother only allowed her to listen to Christian music when she was a child. Later in her teenage years, she became interested in R&B and hip hop music. She listened to Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and Aaliyah, and covered Alicia Keys' 2004 single, "If I Ain't Got You", in a live performance. Growing up, she was also interested in artists such as Burna Boy, Lauryn Hill, Adele, Rihanna, Coldplay, Paramore, and Asa.[33] At the age of 15, she stopped listening to other artists in search of her own identity, because she "wanted to learn how to attack a song from what I was feeling, not what Beyoncé would do or anyone else".[85] Her voice has been described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.[85][33]

[edit]

On 14 December 2020, Tems was arrested alongside fellow Nigerian singer Omah Lay after they performed in a show in Uganda. The Ugandan police authority identified a violation of COVID-19 lockdown protocols as the reason for their arrests, but the two artists felt they were set up.[86][87] Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, apologised for the arrests and dropped the charges against the two artists.[88]

Discography

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Main article: Tems discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Tems

On 5 February 2023, Tems won a Best Melodic Rap Performance Grammy for her collaboration on "Wait For U" with Future and Drake.[89][90] That same month, she won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.[91]

References

[edit]
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