Tems Explained

Tems
Birth Name:Temilade Openiyi
Birth Date:11 June 1995
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Years Active:2018–present

Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.[1] [2] She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination.[3] [2] That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.[4]

In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. Her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with RCA Records.[5] 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.[3] [6] The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.[7] Tems covered Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" for the soundtrack album in July 2022[8] and in the same month, her song "Free Mind" from her debut EP debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[9] [10] She also co-wrote the song "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song,[11] the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song[12] and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.[13] [14]

In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album Born in the Wild and further announced a supporting tour.[15] [16]

Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards[17] and three Soul Train Music Awards.[18] [19] [20] [21]

Early life

Temilade Openiyi was born on 11 June 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, and when she was an infant, her family relocated to the UK; however, when she was five years old, her family returned to Nigeria following her parents' separation.[22] She is Yoruba.[23] [24] [25] [26] Tems resided in Ilupeju before moving to Lekki and later Ajah.[27] Tems attended Dowen College for her secondary education and Monash South Africa for her tertiary education.[28] [29] At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and learned to play the piano. She practiced singing with her brother and often used his guitar accompaniment.[30] [31]

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 July 18th, 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".[32] In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of "ten artists to watch" that year.[33] 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".[34] [35]

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.[36] [37] and also earned her first career entry on Billboard Hot 100 at number 9.[38] Tems won a Soul Train Music Awards,[39] two NAACP Image Awards,[40] and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Global Music Performance.[41] On 8 November 2020, Tems was included in The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020.[42]

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.[43] [44] On 15 September 2021, Tems released her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place, after being signed to RCA records.[45] 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.[46] [47] Later, Tems reached number one on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart[48] and the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.[49]

2022–2023: Breakthrough

On 31 March 2022, Apple Music 1 Launched Leading Vibe Radio Show With Tems.[50] On 2 April, its first episode features an appearance from Muyiwa Awoniyi, and Tunji Balogun.[51] 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.[52] The song samples the song "Higher" from For Broken Ears.[53]

In July 2022, Tems covered Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry for the Marvel movie soundtrack which she was credited alongside Rihanna. On 26 July, Tems gained her fourth Hot 100 with her song "Free Mind" from For Broken Ears which debuted on the chart peaking at number 44 and number 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats song chart. It earned her her first platinum and silver solo certification in the United States and United Kingdom.[54] [55] [56] In July 2022, Tems was announced as a guest artist on Beyoncé's album Renaissance,[57] collaborating on the song "Move" with Grace Jones, becoming her fifth entry on the Hot 100.[58] In October 2022, she co-wrote Rihanna's song "Lift Me Up" for the soundtrack.[59]

Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Tems were nominated at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards for "Best Original Song — Motion Picture" for "Lift Me Up" from the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.[60] [61]

In 2023, Future, Drake, and Tems won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U". Thus, it marks the first female Nigerian artiste to win a Grammy Award.[62] [63]

Tems won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards, which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos in February 2023.[64] In May 2023, Tems was invited to fashion's biggest night out, the Met Gala.

Furthermore, Tems was listed on the 2023 Time 100 Next list[65] [66]

On 5 October 2023, Tems released the single "Me & U".[67] The song marks Tems's first solo output since If Orange Was a Place, excluding her cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" which was released in 2022.[68] Me & U peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart while in the United States, it reached number 10 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[69]

On 5 December 2023, Tems announced that her second single of the year "Not an Angel" would be released on 8 December.[70]

2024–Present: Born in the Wild

In March 2024, Tems became the first African singer to be awarded a Billboard Women in Music Award in which she received under the Breakthrough category.[71] [72] Tems's debut studio album Born in the Wild was released on 7 June and will be supported by a world tour.[73] The second single "Love Me JeJe" off the album was announced and previewed on Tems's debut Coachella set and was released on 25 April.[74] [75]

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".[76] Her voice has been described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.[76] [27]

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.[77] [78] Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, and apologised for the arrests and dropped the charges against the two artists.[79]

Discography

See main article: Tems discography. Studio albums

Extended plays

Tours

Awards and nominations

See main article: List of awards and nominations received by Tems. On 5 February 2023, Tems won a Best Melodic Rap Performance Grammy for her collaboration on "Wait For U" with Future and Drake.[80] [81] That same month, she won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.[82]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The sweet, arresting harmonies of Nigeria's Tems. 4 August 2021. The FADER. en.
  2. Web site: Tems – Grammy Award . 2 March 2022 . Grammy Award.
  3. Web site: Akinyode . Peace . 30 August 2023 . I was okay with people not liking my music - Tems . 9 October 2023 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  4. Web site: Tems Biography, Songs, Age, Education, and Net Worth . 19 January 2024 . VK . en.
  5. Tems Signs to Since '93/RCA, Named Apple Music 'Up Next' Artist. 2 October 2021. Billboard. en.
  6. Web site: 9 May 2022 . Tems Is The First African Artist To Debut At No. 1 On The Hot 100 . 9 May 2022 . . en-US.
  7. Web site: Grammys 2023: Winners List. The New York Times. 5 February 2023. 5 February 2023.
  8. Web site: Nigeria's Tems joins Marvelverse with "No woman No Cry" rendition - Businessday NG . 25 July 2022 . businessday.ng. 25 July 2022 .
  9. Anderson . Trevor . 18 May 2023 . Tems' 'Free Mind' Breaks Female Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart . 22 October 2023 . Billboard.
  10. Web site: 6 February 2023 . Nigerians celebrate Tems' Grammy rap award . 15 January 2024 . BBC News . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Corrine . Amber . 24 January 2023 . Rihanna Earns 2023 Oscar Nomination For 'Black Panther' Song 'Lift Me Up' . 24 January 2023 . VIBE.com.
  12. Web site: BellaNaija.com . Tems, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Angela Bassett & Viola Davis nominated for 2023 Globe Globe Awards . 12 December 2022 . www.bellanaija.com . 12 December 2022 . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List GRAMMY.com . 11 November 2023 . www.grammy.com.
  14. Web site: 21 July 2023 . Tems music, videos, stats, and photos . 19 January 2024 . Last.fm . en.
  15. Mamo . Heran . 10 May 2024 . Tems Announces Debut Album's Release Date & World Tour . 10 May 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  16. Web site: Garcia . Thania . 10 May 2024 . Tems Unveils 2024 World Tour and Debut Album Release Date: 'My Most Special Moment' . 10 May 2024 . Variety . en-US.
  17. Web site: Quayyim . Adedimeji . 22 February 2023 . Tems, Wizkid clinch wins at the NAACP Image Awards . 3 July 2023 . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Beresford . Trilby . Coates . Tyler . 27 February 2022 . 2022 NAACP Image Awards: 'The Harder They Fall' Takes Best Film, Jennifer Hudson Named Entertainer of the Year . 2 March 2022 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: Respers France . Lisa . 29 November 2021 . Soul Train Awards 2021: The winners list . 2 March 2022 . CNN. .
  20. Web site: Breaking: BET Soul Train Awards 2022 Winners (Full List) . 27 November 2022 . Techscoops . Tolulope Olulana.
  21. Web site: Jackson . Angelique . 12 March 2024 . NAACP Image Award Winners List: Victoria Monét, Chris Brown and 'The Color Purple' Nab Early Wins at Virtual Ceremony . 12 March 2024 . Variety.
  22. Web site: Olatunji . Mercy . 28 February 2021 . Full biography of Nigerian singer Tems and other facts about her . 4 August 2021 . DNB Stories Africa . en-US.
  23. Web site: 7 June 2024 . Tems Was Made For This Moment . 8 June 2024 . W Magazine . en.
  24. Mamo . Heran . 4 March 2024 . Tems Stopped 'Worrying About What People Think' — And Became One of Africa's Biggest Stars . 8 June 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  25. Web site: Tems: 5 Things To Know About Afrobeats' Latest Superstar . 8 June 2024 . BET . en.
  26. Web site: Olatunji . Mercy . 18 February 2021 . Full biography of Nigerian singer Tems and other facts about her . 8 June 2024 . DNB Stories Africa . en-US.
  27. Web site: The sweet, arresting harmonies of Nigeria's Tems. 15 June 2020. The Fader.
  28. Web site: Tems interview: Nigerian music's biggest new star . 27 May 2022 . The Face . 24 May 2022 . en-gb.
  29. Web site: 18 December 2022 . Tems Biography And Net Worth - NairaPawa . 18 December 2022 . en-US.
  30. Web site: Native Exclusive: How Tems Triumphs after "Mr Rebel". 23 October 2018. The Native. 5 May 2020.
  31. Web site: Tems Music Artist, Actress, Composer . 19 January 2024 . IMDb . en-US.
  32. Web site: 6 February 2020. Interview: Tems Is On a Mission to Take Over. 25 December 2020. OkayAfrica.
  33. Web site: Rema. 6 February 2020. OkayAfrica. 4 May 2020.
  34. Web site: Khalid Recruits Davido and Tems on New Single 'Know Your Worth (Remix)'. 23 April 2020. OkayAfrica. 4 May 2020.
  35. Web site: Garel . Connor . 15 January 2024 . No One Sounds Like Tems . 19 January 2024 . The Cut . en.
  36. Web site: BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart. 30 January 2021. ukairplaychart.com. 20 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210120125450/http://ukairplaychart.com/1239/BBC_1Xtra/. dead.
  37. Web site: The Essence of Wizkid and Tems. 10 April 2021. Mp3chord.com. 10 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064132/https://mp3chord.com/entertainment/the-essence-of-wizkid-and-tems/. dead.
  38. Wizkid's Essence Enters Hot 100 Shoutout to Good Music Lovers Everywhere. Billboard. 15 July 2021. 4 August 2021.
  39. H.E.R. Is Top Nominee at 2021 Soul Train Awards; Maxwell & Ashanti to Receive Special Awards: Exclusive. 2 November 2021. Billboard.
  40. Web site: Spivey. Kemberlie. 19 January 2022. 2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List. 20 January 2022. Forbes. en.
  41. News: Wizkid, Burnaboy, oda Nigerian artists wey dey 2022 Grammy nomination. BBC News Pidgin. 23 November 2021.
  42. Web site: The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020 . The Future Awards Africa . 16 June 2021 . 8 November 2020 . 24 October 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211024171531/https://awards.yafri.ca/the-future-awards-africa-class-of-2020/ . dead .
  43. Web site: Espinoza. Joshua. 2 September 2021. Drake Reveals 'Certified Lover Boy' Album Features on Billboards. 2 September 2021. Complex. en.
  44. Web site: 2 September 2021. Tems to feature on Drake's CLB album. 16 September 2021. Pulse Nigeria. en.
  45. Web site: Singer, Tems: Biography, Age, Parents, Boyfriend, Net Worth and Source of Wealth . 27 June 2022 .
  46. Web site: Tems shares new EP If Orange Was A Place. 5 October 2021. The FADER. en.
  47. Web site: 27 September 2021. Tems' 'Found' with Brent Faiyaz Hits New Peak on the UK Afrobeats Chart. 5 October 2021. NotjustOk.
  48. Web site: 19 May 2021 . Tems Claims Number One Spot on Billboard Next Big Sound Chart . 2 October 2021 . Arise News . en-US.
  49. Zellner . Xander . 8 June 2022 . Tems Tops Emerging Artists Chart for First Time, Chase McDaniel & Dehd Debut in Top 10 . 23 June 2022 . Billboard.
  50. Rys . Dan . Apple Music 1 Launches New 'Leading Vibe Radio' Show With Tems . Billboard . 24 June 2022 . 31 March 2022.
  51. Web site: Courage . Onyema . Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun joins Leading Vibe Radio with Tems . Pulse Nigeria . 24 June 2022 . en . 2 May 2022.
  52. Future, Drake & Tems' 'Wait For U' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 which won a Grammy in 2023 . Trust. Gary. Billboard. 9 May 2022. 9 May 2022.
  53. Future is a Platinum-Encrusted Antihero on 'I Never Liked You' . Rolling Stone. Reeves. Mosi. 29 April 2022. 3 May 2022.
  54. United States. Tems. 4 October 2023.
  55. United Kingdom. Tems. 21 October 2023.
  56. billboardcharts. 1551658192156987393. @temsbaby's "Free Mind" debuts at No. 90 on this week's #Hot100.. 25 July 2022. 26 July 2022.
  57. Web site: Beyoncé Announces Release Date for New 16-Song Project 'Renaissance' . 27 July 2022 . Complex . en.
  58. Zellner . Xander . 8 August 2022 . Beyoncé Sends All 16 Songs From 'Renaissance' Onto Billboard Hot 100 . 21 October 2022 . . en-US.
  59. Web site: Garcia . Thania . 26 October 2022 . Rihanna Returns to Music With 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Original Song . 26 October 2022 . . en-US.
  60. Web site: 13 December 2022 . Tems Snags 2023 Golden Globe Nomination . 23 January 2023 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.
  61. Web site: A Complete List of the 2023 Golden Globe Nominees . 10 January 2023 .
  62. Web site: Future, Drake, and Tems Win Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U" at 2023 Grammys. 5 February 2023. Pitchfork.
  63. News: Tems Becomes The First Nigerian Female Artiste To Win Grammys. Imisioluwa. Ogunsunlade. 5 February 2023.
  64. News: Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (Full Winners List) . African Folder . 12 February 2023 . 12 February 2023.
  65. 13 September 2023 . 2023 TIME100 Next: Tems . 22 October 2023 . Time . en.
  66. Web site: Akinyode . Peace . 14 September 2023 . Tems makes TIME Magazine's 2023 Next 100 list . 22 October 2023 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  67. News: Soencer . Tallie . 5 October 2023 . Tems Shares New Hypnotic Single "Me & U" . 6 October 2023 . www.hotnewhiphop.com.
  68. Web site: Tems returns with the brand new single, "Me & U" . 13 October 2023 . The Line of Best Fit . en-US.
  69. Web site: Tems songs and albums full Official Chart history. Official Charts Company. 18 October 2023.
  70. News: Tems Not An Angel Single Release Date Confirmed . Uproxx . 7 December 2023.
  71. Grein . Paul . 24 January 2024 . 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards to Honor Ice Spice, NewJeans, Victoria Monét, Kylie Minogue & More . 7 March 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  72. Mamo . Heran . 4 March 2024 . Tems Stopped 'Worrying About What People Think' — And Became One of Africa's Biggest Stars . 7 March 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  73. Mamo . Heran . 15 April 2024 . Tems Announces Debut Album 'Born in the Wild' . 16 April 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  74. Mamo . Heran . 22 April 2024 . Tems Announces 'Love Me Jeje' Single After Debuting It at Coachella . 4 May 2024 . Billboard . en-US.
  75. Web site: Hussain . Shahzaib . 26 April 2024 . Tems Shares Blithe Summer Soundtrack 'Love Me Jeje' News . 4 May 2024 . Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews .
  76. News: Artist to watch: 5 things to know about Tems . 28 December 2021. gq.co.za. en.
  77. News: Why Uganda Police do U-turn for Omah Lay release, tie am 'handcuffs' . BBC News Pidgin . 5 April 2021.
  78. Web site: 14 December 2020. Nigerian star Omah Lay arrested after Uganda gig. 5 April 2021 . Vanguard (Nigeria). en-US.
  79. News: Paulinus . Aidoghie . Uganda apologized to FG over arrest of singer Omah Lay, others . 15 June 2021 . The Sun (Nigeria) . 16 December 2020.
  80. Web site: 6 February 2023. Tems Wins Her First Grammy Award. 6 February 2023. Africanfolder.com. en.
  81. Web site: 2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List . 15 November 2022 . www.grammy.com.
  82. Web site: Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST). African Folder . 12 February 2023 . 12 February 2023.

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