Tems-Temilade Openiyi, stage name Tems is one of Africas latest music sensations. She was born on the 11th of June 1995 to a British father and a Nigerian mother. Tems discovered her love for music with the help of her music teacher at a tender age. She has proven, beyond doubt, to be one of the hottest singers not only in Nigeria but internationally.
Her recent collaboration with Wizkid on the production of ‘Essence’ added to her credibility as an artist to watch in the African entertainment industry. Let’s take at who she really is.
Tem’s Early Years
Tems, born in Nigeria, relocated to the United Kingdom with her parents as a child. Her parents separated when she was five leading to her mother relocating back to Nigeria with her. She went to Dowen College in Lekki, Lagos, then studied Economics at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. Her passion for music made her join the school choir, where she practised with her brother’s guitar. Tems had her first shot at a professional music career after her session in the studio was sponsored. That dream has blossomed into something huge. Tems has her record label, which she named Leading Vibes, which she uses for her music production.
Tems’s Music Career
She started her career in marketing, which she eventually let go to have a career in music. She released her first EP in 2013. The release of her track Time Swap didn’t go as expected, but this didn’t stop her from pushing harder. This young talent does not only sing. She produces most of her music. Tems has released songs like Mr Rebel, Broken Ears, and the single that made her famous, ‘Try Me’. This hit went viral in 2019 with over 2 million views on YouTube in the first couple of weeks. Tems’s collaboration on the Grammy-nominated song Essence gave her more international recognition. Other partnerships are with Davido in 2021 and Drake on ‘Fountain’ that charted in the top 40 in the United States. She is presently signed to the RCA record label.
Songs and Awards
Tems has released some beautiful sounds. ‘Try Me’, which was a banger before the release of ‘Crazy Tings’. ‘Damage’ is still rocking the continent. Check out some of her other sounds in most music apps that have African sounds.
Tems has won a number of awards and received many nominations compared to other rising artists. She got the Soul Train award in the best collaboration category as well as the award for the best vocal in the female category. Other nominations include the MTV Europe Music Award for the best African act, the African Music USA award for the best female artist in Western Africa and the next rated female artist.
Read more about the African music entertainment scene here.
Net worth
Tems is estimated to be worth $350,000 as of 2021, and she’s definitely going to surpass that with her constant rise in the industry. She makes her money from music sales, tours, endorsements and concerts.
Conclusion
Tems, regarding her style of music and the uniqueness of her sound, have shown herself worthy of the superstar life. With some of her songs topping African charts, we are looking forward to what will become of her career in the future.
