Tems
Biography
Tems is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer known for blending alternative R&B, neo-soul, alté, and Afrobeats influences into a distinctive sound. She rose from Nigeria’s alternative music scene to become one of Africa’s most globally recognised artists, earning Grammy Awards, major international chart success, and collaborations with some of the biggest names in contemporary music.
Rise to International Fame
Tems first gained widespread attention through songs such as Mr Rebel and Try Me, but her global breakthrough came with her appearance on Essence by Wizkid. The song became an international hit and helped introduce Afrobeats and Nigeria’s alté movement to a broader audience, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 after a remix featuring Justin Bieber.
Style and Artistic Identity
Her music is characterised by rich vocals, introspective songwriting, and genre-blending production. Unlike many mainstream Afrobeats artists, Tems often focuses on personal reflection, emotional growth, and self-discovery, drawing from R&B, soul, reggae, pop, and African musical traditions. She is frequently cited as one of the leading figures of Nigeria’s alté movement.
Major Achievements
Tems became the first African artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 through the song Wait for U, which sampled her track Higher. She has also collaborated with artists including Drake, Future, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. Her songwriting contribution to Rihanna’s Lift Me Up earned major film and music award nominations, while her own recordings have won Grammy, BET, NAACP Image, and Soul Train awards.
Today, Tems is regarded as one of the most influential African artists of her generation. Her debut studio album, Born in the Wild, expanded her international profile and showcased a broader musical range while maintaining the emotional depth that has become her trademark.
