Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems, has once again etched her name in music history, securing her second Grammy Award and first solo win at the 67th Grammy Awards. Her song Love Me Jeje won Best African Music Performance, making her the first Nigerian female artist to win a solo Grammy, a groundbreaking achievement that solidifies her global dominance in the Afrobeats genre.
From Corporate Office to Global Stardom
Tems’ rise to fame was anything but conventional. In 2018, she took a bold step by quitting her job as a digital marketer to pursue her passion for music. She gained early recognition with songs like Mr Rebel and Try Me in 2019, which started as underground hits but soon became social media anthems.
Her first major international collaboration came in 2020, when she featured alongside Khalid and Davido on a remix of Know Your Worth. However, it was her game-changing collaboration with Wizkid on Essence that propelled her into global stardom.
The Essence Effect: A Star is Born
Originally a track on Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album, Essence became a cultural phenomenon, with Tems’ soulful hook stealing the spotlight. A remix featuring Justin Bieber pushed the song to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning it the title of “song of the summer.”
By early 2021, Essence had dominated airwaves worldwide, earning a spot on Barack Obama’s summer playlist and catching the attention of industry heavyweights like Rihanna, Jay-Z, Drake, and DJ Khaled, who all praised her unique artistry.
A Grammy Winner and Hollywood Collaborator
Tems continued to break barriers, landing a feature on Drake’s Fountains and signing with RCA Records. She later contributed to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack alongside Rihanna, and her feature on Future and Drake’s Wait For U earned her her first Grammy in 2023.
Despite facing initial resistance from the Nigerian music industry for her unconventional sound, Tems refused to conform. Instead, she blended Afrobeats, R&B, and Pop, carving out a distinct global identity that resonated with audiences beyond Africa.
Now, with a second Grammy win and a nomination for Best R&B Song at the 2025 Grammys for Burning, Tems has proven her doubters wrong, reinforcing her status as one of the most influential artists of her generation.
