Tems: From digital marketer to Grammy winner

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, made history at the 67th Grammy Awards, securing her second Grammy win and first solo award for her ‘Love Me Jeje’ in the ‘Best African Music Performance’ category.

This achievement marks her as the first Nigerian female artist to win a solo Grammy, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the Afrobeat scene and a leading figure in the global music landscape.

Tems’ journey to Grammy glory began in 2018 after she quit her job in digital marketing to chase a music career. She released ‘Mr Rebel’ and ‘Try Me’ in 2019, which started as an underground hit but soon became a social media sensation, setting her up as one to look out for by the contemporary media.

Read also: Meet Tems, Nigeria’s first two-time Grammy winner

This led to her first international feature with Khalid, an American singer-songwriter, and fellow Nigerian singer Davido in April 2020 on a remix version of the single ‘Know Your Worth.’

Tems’ collaboration with Wizkid on ‘Essence’ significantly boosted her international recognition. Although the song was originally Wizkid’s, Tems’ captivating hook and chorus became the standout elements, resonating with a global audience and solidifying her international presence. The song’s popularity surged even further with a remix featuring Justin Bieber, which propelled it to number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.

By early 2021, ‘Essence’ was widely popular, frequently appearing in the background of celebrity social media videos. Many celebrities expressed interest in meeting and collaborating with Tems, and the song even featured on Barack Obama’s summer playlist.

The song’s impact was evident at the 2024 Grammys, where US rapper DJ Khaled proclaimed himself Tems’ biggest fan. She also connected with prominent figures like Rick Ross, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Drake, who reached out to her on social media.

In September 2021, Tems was featured on Drake’s song ‘Fountains’ from his album ‘Certified Lover Boy,’ which debuted at number 26 on the Hot 100. Shortly after, Tems signed with RCA Records and released her second EP, ‘If Orange Was a Place,’ which included the single ‘Crazy Things,’ peaking at number three on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.

Her involvement in the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack, alongside Rihanna, demonstrated her versatility across genres, and her feature on Future and Drake’s ‘Wait For U’ earned her a first Grammy Award.

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Tems’ music transcends the contemporary Afrobeats genre, incorporating elements of R&B and Pop often heard in American music.

In a Beats FM interview, she revealed that she faced pressure to conform to the mainstream Afrobeats style early in her career, as her music was deemed unsuitable for the Nigerian audience. However, Tems resisted, asserting her artistic freedom and versatility.

This decision has propelled her to achieve remarkable success, including a nomination for Best R&B Song at the 2025 Grammys for her single ‘Burning,’ surpassing the expectations of those who doubted her early on.