Are you interested in Tems biography? Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos.
Tems has emerged as one of the most influential artists not just in Nigeria but globally. Her unique sound, powerful vocals, and authentic artistry have resonated with fans across the world. This biography discusses her life, career, achievements, and personal journey.
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Tems Biography
Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos State, Nigeria. She hails from a diverse background, with a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father.
Tems’ early life was shaped by her parents’ separation when she was five. Following their divorce, her mother took Tems and her brother and relocated to Ilupeju, a suburb of Lagos.
As a child, Tems lived in various neighborhoods, including Lekki and Ajah. Growing up in these areas exposed her to traditional and contemporary influences, shaping her artistic vision.
From an early age, she was drawn to various genres, including R&B, Afrobeats, and soul, which would later define her sound.
Temilade gained widespread recognition after collaborating on Wizkid’s 2020 hit single “Essence,” which reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, especially following its remix featuring Justin Bieber. This breakthrough earned her a nomination for a Grammy Award. In the same year, Tems was also featured on the track “Fountains” by Canadian rapper Drake.
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Tems Educational Background
Tems’ educational journey began at Dowen College in Lekki, where she completed her secondary education. Following this, she moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend Monash South Africa University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Tems Early Career
Before venturing into music full-time, Tems worked as a digital marketer. In 2018, Tems left her digital marketing job to pursue music, learning self-production skills via YouTube. She released her debut single, “Mr Rebel,” on July 18, 2018, followed by “Try Me” on August 7, 2019. In 2020, she was recognized as one of the “ten artists to watch” by DJ Edu. On April 23, 2020, she featured with Davido on a reworked version of Khalid and Disclosure’s “Know Your Worth.”
On September 25, 2020, Tems released her debut EP, For Broken Ears, which included the hit “Damages.” She collaborated with Wizkid on “Essence,” which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart. Tems won a Soul Train Music Award, two NAACP Image Awards, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance. She was also recognized in The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020.
On August 13, 2021, a remix of “Essence” featuring Justin Bieber reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Tems was featured on Drake’s “Fountains” from his album Certified Lover Boy, which debuted at number 26 on the Hot 100. She released her second EP, If Orange Was a Place, on September 15, 2021, producing the single “Crazy Tings,” which peaked at number three on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. Tems later topped the Billboard Next Big Sound and Emerging Artists charts.
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Tems Musical Breakthrough
On March 31, 2022, Tems launched the Vibe Radio Show on Apple Music 1, featuring guests like Muyiwa Awoniyi and Tunji Balogun. On April 29, she collaborated with Drake on Future’s single “Wait for U,” which debuted at number one on the Hot 100, making Tems the first African female artist to achieve this milestone. The song samples “Higher” from her EP For Broken Ears.
In July 2022, she covered Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack alongside Rihanna. Her song “Free Mind” from For Broken Ears debuted at number 44 on the Hot 100 and topped the U.S. Afrobeats chart, earning her platinum and silver certifications. Tems also collaborated with Beyoncé on the track “Move” for the album Renaissance, marking her fifth entry on the Hot 100. Additionally, she co-wrote Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther soundtrack.
In November 2022, Tems won Best New Artist at the Soul Train Music Awards and was recognized as the top Afrobeats artist on Billboard’s Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs list. She received nominations for the Golden Globe, Academy, and Grammy Awards for “Lift Me Up,” becoming the first Nigerian singer nominated in these categories.
In January 2023, she headlined the Afrobeats-themed halftime show at the NBA All-Star Game and won a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Wait for U,” making her the first female Nigerian artist to win a Grammy. She also received the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards and attended the Met Gala, becoming the first female Afrobeats artist to do so.
On October 5, 2023, Tems released her single “Me & U,” which peaked at number one on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and number 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The song won Outstanding International Song at the NAACP Image Awards. On December 5, 2023, she announced her second single of the year, “Not an Angel,” set for release on December 8.
Collaborations
Tems has collaborated with numerous high-profile artists, showcasing her versatility and talent. Some notable collaborations include:
| Artist | Song | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake & Future | “WAIT FOR U” | 2022 | Won Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance |
| Wizkid | “Essence” | 2020 | Breakthrough hit that reached Billboard Hot 100; later remixed with Justin Bieber |
| Beyoncé | “MOVE” | 2022 | Featured on Beyoncé’s Renaissance album alongside Grace Jones |
| Drake | “Fountains” | 2021 | Featured on Drake’s Certified Lover Boy album |
| Future | “For da Dogs” | 2023 | Â |
| Rihanna | “Lift Me Up” | 2022 | Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack; Oscar-nominated for Best Original Song |
| Chris Brown | “Call Me Every Day” | 2022 | Â |
| Khalid | “Know Your Worth” (Remix) | 2020 | Collaboration with Davido |
| GoldLink | “Raindrops” | 2021 | Â |
| Rotimi | “In My Bed” | 2019 | Â |
Tems Record Label
In 2021, Tems signed a recording deal with RCA Records, a major American label that has helped amplify her music on an international scale. This partnership has enabled her to collaborate with top-tier artists and produce music that resonates with fans worldwide.
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Discography
| Song Title | Album | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Free Mind | For Broken Ears | 2020 |
| Love Me JeJe | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Me & U | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Damages | For Broken Ears | 2020 |
| Wickedest | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Higher | For Broken Ears | 2020 |
| Free Fall | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Burning | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Crazy Tings | If Orange Was a Place | 2021 |
| Found | If Orange Was a Place | 2021 |
| Vibe Out | Chill Summer 2024 | 2024 |
| Get it Right | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Replay | If Orange Was a Place | 2021 |
| Not An Angel | Not An Angel | 2023 |
| Avoid Things | If Orange Was a Place | 2021 |
| The Key | For Broken Ears | 2020 |
| Gangsta | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| These Days | These Days | 2020 |
| Looku Looku | Looku Looku | 2019 |
| Ready | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Ice T | For Broken Ears | 2020 |
| Hold On | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Interference | For Broken Ears | 2020 |
| Born in the Wild | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| No Woman No Cry | Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Prologue | 2022 |
| Unfortunate | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Turn Me Up | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Forever | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Boy O Boy | Born in the Wild | 2024 |
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| “Mr Rebel” | 2018 | Non-album single |
| “Looku Looku” | 2019 | Non-album single |
| “Try Me” | 2019 | Non-album single |
| “These Days” | 2020 | Non-album single |
| “Not an Angel” | 2023 | Non-album single |
| As Featured Artist |
|---|
| “Know Your Worth” (Khalid and Disclosure featuring Tems) |
| “Essence” (Wizkid featuring Tems or also Justin Bieber) |
| “Wait for U” (Future featuring Drake and Tems) |
Tems Artistry
As a child, Tems’ mother permitted her to listen only to Christian music. However, during her teenage years, she developed a passion for R&B and hip hop. She drew inspiration from artists like Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and Aaliyah, and even performed a cover of Alicia Keys’ 2004 hit, “If I Ain’t Got You.” Additionally, she admired musicians such as Burna Boy, Lauryn Hill, Adele, Rihanna, Coldplay, Paramore, and Asa.
At the age of 15, Tems decided to stop listening to other artists in her quest for self-identity, stating that she wanted to approach songs based on her own feelings rather than imitating others, including Beyoncé. Her voice is often described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.
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Tems Awards and Recognitions
Tems has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her career, showcasing her talent and impact on the music industry. In 2023, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song as a songwriter for “Lift Me Up.”
She has also been recognized at the African Awards (USA), winning titles such as Best Female Artist and Artist of the Year for her contributions. Additionally, she earned accolades for Best Female Artist (Central/West Africa), Best Collaboration, and Best Video for her work on “Essence,” both as a feature with Wizkid and as a standalone song in 2021 and 2022.
In 2022, Tems won an American Music Award for Favorite Hip-Hop Song with “Wait for U,” a collaboration with Future and Drake. She has been nominated for and won multiple BET Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023, further solidifying her presence in the industry. In 2022, she also won the BET Hip Hop Award for Best International Flow and received recognition at the Black Reel Awards in 2023 for “Lift Me Up.”
Her achievements include winning the BMI London Awards in 2022 for “Herself” and “Essence,” both recognized as the most performed songs. She also received nominations at the Headies Awards in 2022 and is set to be honored at the Grammy Awards in 2024.
Tems Net Worth
As of 2024, Tems’ estimated net worth is around $2 million. Her income primarily comes from music sales, streaming, live performances, and endorsement deals. Her growing popularity and successful collaborations have significantly contributed to her financial success.
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Tems Social Media
Twitter/X: @temsbaby
Instagram: @temsbaby
Profile Summary of Tems
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Temilade Openiyi |
| Stage Name | Tems |
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genres | R&B, Hip Hop |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years Active | 2018 – Present |
| Notable Works | “Essence,” “Lift Me Up,” “Wait for U,” “Fountains” |
Tems has shown herself to be a powerful force in the music industry, captivating audiences with her soulful sound and inspiring journey. Fans eagerly anticipate what she will achieve next as she continues to grow and evolve as an artist.
