Tems (singer)

Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer. She rose to prominence after she was featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence," which reached the top ten of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 after the release of a remixed version with an additional feature from Justin Bieber, and earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on Drake's song, "Fountains."

On 25 September 2020, she released her debut extended play, '' For Broken Ears''. Tems released her second extended play, '' If Orange Was a Place'' (2021), after being signed to RCA Records. 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.
Tems covered Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" for the '' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' soundtrack, released in July 2022 and in the same month, her song "Free Mind" from her debut EP debuted on the Hot 100.

Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including two NAACP Image Awards, two BET Awards and two Soul Train Music Awards. Tems became one of five notable Nigerian women who made history in the month of July, as she won a BET award. She also co-wrote the song " Lift Me Up" by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

Early life

Temilade Openiyi, was born on 11 June 1995 in Lagos, Nigeria. Tems resided in Ilupeju before moving to Lekki then Ajah. Tems attended Dowen College for her tertiary education. At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and learned to play the piano. She practised singing with her brother and often used his guitar accompaniment.

Career

2018–2021: Career beginnings and extended plays

In 2018, Tems quit her job to pursue a career in music. She began to learn self production skills on YouTube and on 18 July 2018, she released her debut single, "Mr Rebel", a song which she produced by herself. On 7 August 2019, she released the single "Try Me". In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of "ten artists to watch" that year. 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".

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. and also earned her first career entry on Billboard Hot 100 at number 9. Tems won a Soul Train Music Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Global Music Performance. On 8 November 2020, Tems was included in The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020.

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. On 15 September 2021, Tems released her second extended play, '' If Orange Was a Place'', after being signed to RCA records. 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. Later, Tems reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Next Big Sound chart and the ''Billboard'' Emerging Artists chart.

2022–present: Breakthrough

On 31 March 2022, Apple Music 1 Launched Leading Vibe Radio Show With Tems. On 2 April, its first episode features an appearance from Muyiwa Awoniyi, and Tunji Balogun. 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. The song samples the song "Higher" from ''For Broken Ears''.

In July 2022, Tems covered Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry for the upcoming Marvel movie '' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'' soundtrack. On 26 July, Tems gained her fourth Hot 100 with her song "''Free Mind''" from ''For Broken Ears'' debuted on the chart. In July 2022, Tems was announced as a guest artist on Beyoncé's album ''Renaissance,'' collaborating on the song "Move" with Grace Jones, becoming her fifth entry on the Hot 100. In October 2022, she co-wrote Rihanna's song " Lift Me Up" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

Tems has added another feat to her never ending list of achievemnets, snagging a nomination at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards.

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 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. 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". Her voice has been described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.

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. Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, apologised for the arrests, and dropped the charges.

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Other charted songs

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

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1995 births
21st-century Nigerian women singers
English-language singers from Nigeria
Living people
Nigerian people of British descent
Nigerian rhythm and blues singers
Nigerian women singer-songwriters
RCA Records artists
Singers from Lagos State
Yoruba women musicians
Nigerian alté singers