Seunfunmi Joshua
Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has once again taken the world by storm after becoming the latest Nigerian artist to clinch a Grammy Award. Her historic win for Best African Music Performance with her hit track “Love Me Jeje” has cemented her position as one of Africa’s most remarkable music stars. From her self-taught beginnings in 2018 to global stardom, Tems’ journey has been a story of bold decisions, boundary-breaking collaborations, and countless accolades. Let’s take a look at the incredible milestones that shaped her rise to fame.
2018: Taking the Leap and Debut Single Release
- Tems resigned from her job in digital marketing to pursue a career in music.
- On July 18, 2018, she released her debut single “Mr. Rebel”, which she self-produced after teaching herself music production.
2019: Breakout Single “Try Me”
- On August 7, 2019, Tems released the hit single “Try Me”.
- The song gained massive attention, earning love from radio stations, bloggers, and key figures in the music industry.
2020: Global Recognition and Breakthrough Collaboration
- April 23, 2020: Tems was featured on a reworked version of DJ Khalid and Disclosure’s song “Know Your Worth.”
- September 2020: She released her extended play For Broken Ears, with the track “Damages” amassing over 5 million YouTube views.
- October 30, 2020: Tems featured on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence” from the Made in Lagos album, earning her a #9 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2022: Breaking Records and Topping Charts
- Tems became the first African female artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart after being featured on Future’s song “Wait for U.”
- July 2022: Her track “Free Mind” earned platinum certification in the U.S. and silver certification in the UK.
2023: Historic Award Nominations and Wins
- Tems became the first Nigerian artist to be nominated by both the Academy Awards and Grammy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Song Written for Visual Media with “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
- February 2023: She became the first female Nigerian artist to win a Grammy Award, alongside Future and Drake for Best Melodic Rap Performance with “Wait for U.”
- She received three additional awards in 2023.
2024: Studio Album and Billboard Recognition
- March 2024: Tems became the first African artist to win a Billboard Women in Music Award, receiving the Breakthrough Artist category award.
- June 7, 2024: She released her debut studio album Born in the Wild, which earned three Grammy nominations:
- Best Global Music Album
- “Burning” for Best R&B Song
- “Love Me Jeje” for Best African Music Performance
2025: Grammy Victory
- In January 2025, Tems once again made Nigerians proud by winning the Best African Music Performance Grammy Award for “Love Me Jeje.”
Final Thoughts
From quitting her 9-to-5 job to self-producing her first single and now standing as a Grammy-winning global sensation, Tems’ journey embodies resilience, authenticity, and an unyielding passion for music. Over the past eight years, she has redefined what it means to be an African artist on the world stage, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of musicians. As she continues to soar, there’s no doubt that Tems is not just making history, she’s shaping the future of music.
