Temilade Openiyi, performing under the name Tems, established a significant international presence in pop music through her collaborations and self-produced records. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1995, she transitioned from a career in digital marketing to professional music production in 2018, subsequently achieving multiple Billboard Hot 100 entries and high-profile accolades for her distinctive vocal contributions.
Early Development
Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Tems is of Yoruba ethnicity. Her childhood involved time in the United Kingdom before she returned to Nigeria at age five. She completed her secondary education at Dowen College and later pursued a degree in economics at Monash South Africa. Her musical foundation began in her school choir at age 11, where she learned to sing in falsetto and received piano instruction. She frequently practiced singing with her brother, who provided guitar accompaniment.
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In 2018, she left a digital marketing position to focus on music production, mastering self-recording techniques via online tutorials. Her debut single, Mr Rebel, released on July 18, 2018, was entirely self-produced. She followed this with the 2019 release of Try Me. Her debut extended play, For Broken Ears, arrived in September 2020, featuring the track Damages, which reached the top of the Nigerian Apple Music chart.
International Breakthrough
Tems gained global visibility through her contribution to Wizkid’s 2020 single, Essence, which climbed to number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 following a remix featuring Justin Bieber. In 2022, her vocals from the track Higher were sampled by Future for his song Wait for U, featuring Drake. This release debuted at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking the first time an African artist achieved a number-one debut on the chart.
Discography and Accolades
Tems has expanded her repertoire through the 2021 EP If Orange Was a Place and her 2024 debut studio album, Born in the Wild. She contributed to major soundtracks, including covering No Woman, No Cry for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her collaborative work extends to artists including Drake and Beyoncé. Her industry recognition includes BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards.
Fast facts
- Born: 11 June 1995, Lagos, Nigeria
- Primary Occupations: Singer-songwriter, record producer
- Education: Dowen College; Monash South Africa (Economics)
- Debut Single: Mr Rebel (2018)
- Debut Album: Born in the Wild (2024)
- Notable Collaborations: Wizkid, Future, Drake, Rihanna
- Languages: English
- Citizenship: Nigeria
Questions readers ask
What is the meaning of Tems' first name?
Her first name, Temilade, means 'the crown is mine' in Yoruba.
Which major charts did Tems debut at number one?
She debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 as a guest artist on Future's single, Wait for U, in 2022.
