For too long, African music—especially the women within it—has been placed on the periphery of global recognition. African women in music have battled invisibility, their voices often drowned out in an industry that prioritizes their male counterparts. While artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Fela Kuti have been lauded globally, African women have had to fight twice as hard for half as much recognition. Yet, amidst this reality, a new vanguard of female musicians is emerging, their presence impossible to ignore. At the forefront of this revolution stands Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems— whose achievements have rewritten the rules of global music.
When Tems was announced as the Grammybwinner for Best Melodic Rap Performance on Wait For U, her collaboration with Future and Drake, it was not just her name that was called—it was the name of every African woman who had ever been told that she was not enough. It was a moment that went beyond music; it was a victory for representation, for visibility, for the many unspoken voices in the industry.
Beyond her music, Tems exudes a quiet majesty. Her sense of style is a reflection of her personality—minimalist yet grand, understated yet powerful. From the ethereal white Lever Couture gown that made waves at the Oscars to her Met Gala debut in Vivienne Westwood, she carries herself with the grace of a woman who knows she belongs on the world’s biggest stages.
Tems’ music is not designed to be background noise. It is meant to be felt, absorbed, and experienced. Her voice—husky yet ethereal, delicate yet commanding—lingers long after the music stops, leaving an imprint on the listener’s soul. She does not merely sing; she evokes.
It is this rare gift of evocation that propelled her from Lagos to the global stage. Her breakout moment came with “Essence”, a collaboration with Wizkid. The song, which became the first Nigerian track to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, was more than just a hit—it was a cultural shift. It marked the beginning of Afrobeats’ global reign, with Tems’ voice elevating the song into something transcendent.
In that breakout moment, the world took notice. Global heavyweights like Drake, Future, Rihanna, and Beyoncé soon followed, eager to collaborate with the star whose sound was as fresh as it was timeless.
Her upcoming projects are among the most anticipated releases in the industry. There is a hunger for more—more of her raw, vulnerable lyricism, more of her genre-bending experimentation, more of the authenticity that has made her one of the most exciting artists of this era.
And if her journey so far has taught us anything, it is that Tems does not just meet expectations—she surpasses them.
