- Tems, born Temilade Openiyi on 11 June 1995, mixes Afrobeats, R&B and alternative sounds.
- She is credited on Future’s “Wait for U”, which won a Grammy in 2023, and “Love Me JeJe” won a Grammy in 2025.
- She co-wrote “Lift Me Up” for Rihanna’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever song.
The short answer
Tems built a global career with a deep, calm voice and thoughtful songwriting rather than loud showmanship. She mixes Afrobeats with R&B, soul and alternative sounds, and she writes about love, self-belief and freedom. In a few years she went from posting songs in Lagos to winning Grammys and writing for global film soundtracks.
Early life
Temilade Openiyi was born on 11 June 1995 in Lagos. Her family moved to the United Kingdom when she was an infant and returned to Nigeria when she was about five, after her parents separated. Her first name means “the crown is mine” in Yoruba. She studied and worked in a corporate setting before deciding to commit fully to music.
Rise to prominence
- 2018–2019: she released “Mr. Rebel”, then “Looku Looku” and “Try Me”, which won her a loyal following.
- 2020: her debut EP For Broken Ears arrived in September, and she featured on Wizkid’s “Essence”, which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- 2021: after signing with RCA, she released the EP If Orange Was a Place.
- 2022–2023: her song “Higher” was sampled in Future’s “Wait for U” with Drake, which reached number one on the Hot 100 and won the Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance in February 2023.
Writing for film
Tems co-wrote “Lift Me Up”, the Rihanna song from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The song earned nominations for a Golden Globe, an Academy Award and a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. This showed her talent as a songwriter as well as a singer.
Born in the Wild and recent work
- Born in the Wild (2024): her debut studio album, released to wide praise.
- “Love Me JeJe”: won Best African Music Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
- Love Is a Kingdom (2025): an EP released at the end of 2025.
- Recognition: in 2024 she became the first African singer to receive a Billboard Women in Music award, in the Breakthrough category.
What makes her sound different
- A rich, low voice that sounds relaxed even in emotional songs.
- Layered vocals and a calm, atmospheric production style.
- Lyrics about self-belief, healing and love.
- A mix of Afrobeats with R&B, soul and alternative music, sometimes called alté.
Lessons for artists
- You do not need to be loud to be heard. A clear identity stands out.
- Feature wisely. A strong guest verse can introduce you to a new audience. See how streaming playlists and recommendations work.
- Write for others too. Songwriting credits can open new income. See how independent artists earn royalties in Nigeria.
- Protect your credits and splits. See how to protect your music copyright.
Career timeline
- 2019 and 2020: early songs and the EP For Broken Ears.
- 2020: features on Wizkid’s “Essence”.
- 2021: releases the EP If Orange Was a Place.
- 2023: wins her first Grammy, for “Wait for U”.
- 2024: releases her debut album Born in the Wild.
- 2025: wins Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe”.
Where to start listening
- “Essence” with Wizkid: the song that introduced her to the world.
- “Free Mind”: a calm, reflective solo song.
- “Love Me JeJe”: a Grammy-winning record with warm, nostalgic energy.
- Born in the Wild: her debut album, best heard from start to finish.
Common questions
- How many Grammys has she won? Two, at the 2023 and 2025 ceremonies.
- What does her voice sound like? Deep, smoky and calm, which is a big part of her appeal.
- Did she write songs for others? Yes. She is credited as a co-writer of “Lift Me Up”, which received an Oscar nomination.
Quick facts
- Born 11 June 1995 in Lagos
- Featured on Wizkid’s “Essence” in 2020
- Won a Grammy in 2023 for “Wait for U”
- Born in the Wild released in 2024
- “Love Me JeJe” won a Grammy in 2025
Key points to remember
Tems proves that a quiet voice can reach the world. Facts in this profile were checked against reference sources in October 2026. Chart positions, awards and release dates can change, so check official pages for the latest details. See how she connects with the wider scene in our profiles of Wizkid and Rema.
