Tems took Nigeria to Beyoncé and Rihanna. Now, she’s up for 3 Grammys

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As I delve into the captivating journey of Tems, I am struck by her resilience and unwavering spirit. Born in Nigeria, raised in America, and now a global phenomenon, her story is one of triumph over adversity and an embodiment of the power of music to transcend borders.

In October, the Nigerian singer Tems caught sight of an attractive man seated in the front row at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.

She chuckled, “It seems this fellow is winking at me. At least you’re feeling bold,” as she playfully scaled the railing to belt out her tunes straight towards him, who introduced himself as Toby. “I’m going to make this moment unique,” Tems addressed the audience. “I’ll attempt to improvise with your name, but you need to focus on me.

She sang his name in a playful, drawn-out manner, suggesting he reveal his desires as she teased him with the words “tell me what you want from me, it seems like you’re eager.” Overwhelmed, he became as limp as a puddle. Caught off guard by her influence, she burst out laughing. “Now I feel bashful,” she admitted. “I’m not skilled at improvising.

Toby would beg to differ. But the moment was emblematic of a world that’s fallen for Tems.

Through captivating performances on hits such as Wizkid’s “Essence” and the Grammy-winning collaboration with Future and Drake titled “Wait For U”, Tems established herself as a prominent figure in contemporary African music, seamlessly blending regional sounds, R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Her 2024 debut album, “Born in the Wild”, was expansive yet profoundly personal, showcasing her diverse musical influences with insightful, emotionally charged songwriting.

At next year’s ceremony, Tems is nominated for three Grammys – in categories for Global Music Album, R&B Song, and African Music Performance. This represents a broad recognition of her work, ushering in a new era for Nigerian music on the global stage. However, this level of fame hasn’t always been comfortable for her, and she has worked diligently to maintain her tranquility amidst it.

Tems’ motto for 2024 is ‘Hang In There.’ This phrase is derived from a hopeful and reflective track titled ‘Born in the Wild.’ In this song, Tems was speaking to her past, present, and future selves. Essentially, it’s a message of self-encouragement to persevere and keep moving forward, no matter what obstacles may come.

Music

The artist clinched the very first Grammy award for Best African Music Performance, thanks to her seductive and beautifully rendered hit “Water.” Given its success, her self-titled debut album, launched in March, might have a good chance of winning another one soon.

Born Temilade Openiyi, a 29-year-old resident of Lagos, is one of the top contemporary African artists, joining the likes of Nigerian artist Burna Boy and South Africa’s Tyla. They have all gained global recognition through pop charts. However, it’s too narrow to categorize her solely within the Afrobeats movement from recent years, as her music also draws heavily from millennial American R&B and the refined modern soul scene in London, where she currently resides.

Over the course of four years, Tems’ remarkable vocal range and unique songwriting approach made her an essential collaborator for pop stars seeking to tap into Africa’s diverse musical trends. A confident, self-taught artist, Tems is a rare blend of musical inquisitiveness and captivating stage presence. As she put it, “The perfectionist in me felt that nobody else would be able to work on my vocals because I am so meticulous.” She has a preference for manipulating sounds but dislikes auto-tune and vocal effects, leading her to take on the roles of singer, songwriter, producer, and engineer herself.

At Coachella in April, Tems gave a packed set that saw collaborations with Nigerian superstar Wizkid and Justin Bieber on their vibrant rendition of “Essence.” Beyoncé invited her to share the stage with Grace Jones for the pulsating track “MOVE” from her album “Renaissance,” which is focused on club music. When Rihanna returned to music (in a sense) for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she teamed up with Tems to create the single “Lift Me Up,” which has been nominated for both a Grammy and an Oscar.

Tems explained that he’s attempted to compose for others and mimic their style, but it proves challenging. What they truly desire is for him to express himself authentically, as if they are trying to capture his unique voice and walk a mile in his footsteps.

On “Born in the Wild,” a sprawling 18-track compilation, she fully blossomed that resonating sound. The track “Love Me JeJe,” nominated for a Grammy in African music performance, is a languid reinterpretation of Seyi Sodimu’s popular late ’90s song of the same name, evoking the most inviting feelings and offering a captivating peek into the history of Nigerian R&B. The hit single “Me & U” is a hypnotic guitar ballad, reinforced by sharp percussion and repetitive incantations; “Ready” recaptures the essence of Sade’s quiet storm, while “Wickedest” delves into the hazy realm of Atlanta hip-hop.

She remarked that Nigerians have a rich variety in their preferences and cultural backgrounds. They appreciate a multitude of things while staying true to their roots. In creating her first album, she felt it necessary to be as genuine as possible, reflecting all the influences from her upbringing. These sounds shaped her into the artist she is today, and she didn’t consider who would receive it.

Recently, she’s found herself pondering on this more often. As her fame grew, she’s been faced with a treacherous maze of public scrutiny. This includes being imprisoned following a performance in Uganda in 2020 (she claims it was essentially a setup due to permit issues), as well as unfounded rumors in 2023 that she was carrying Future’s child, a person she hadn’t actually met.

Several tracks from the album “Born in the Wild” hint at the dangers of newfound fame for celebrities. The song “Burning” echoes the style of ’90s new jack swing to explore modern-day celebrity and its destructive impact on young artists. Lyrics like, “Got your face on magazines / How does it feel? It’s killing me,” express this idea. The singer warns, “These games will kill you / Don’t let them define you / Sweet words are not truth.

In the standout track “Wickedest,” she expresses her sorrow over the fact that “People seem to want to deceive, instigate conflict, and even wish harm upon me, but truth be told, they don’t truly understand who I am.

It was a bracing learning experience. “I think I’ve let all that go now,” Tems said. “You can’t really stop other people in the Internet age, where anybody can wake up and say anything. You just have to always make sure that you’re validated from within.”

Music

As a devoted fan, I’m proud to say he made history by selling out an American stadium, becoming the first African artist to do so. Currently, Burna Boy is aiming higher with a fresh album brimming with hip-hop beats, eyeing even grander achievements.

So far, things have gone smoothly. Her stunning fashion style has been a sensation at every awards ceremony (earning a bit of humor for her towering, attention-diverting white headscarf at the 2023 Oscars). Her fall tour was a success, and the Afrobeats trend that boosted her career continues to gain momentum as it reshapes global pop music.

The Grammys are facing an unusual situation with the African music performance category. Last year, this category was introduced, and it’s now at a peculiar stage because controversial American R&B artist Chris Brown has been nominated, despite him being ineligible under typical criteria, while Tyla, who won the inaugural award, wasn’t nominated for her 2024 debut album.

Tems stated that the reason people from other countries are drawn to Afrobeats is because of its success. However, this trend is not unique to Afrobeats; it has also occurred with genres like R&B, reggae, and dancehall. In Tems’ opinion, despite being an American awards organization, the Grammys are fair and fulfilling their intended purpose.

Tems, an African artist, acknowledges that international recognition comes with significant responsibilities for Africans worldwide. She’s mindful of the increasing immigration challenges in countries like the U.S. and Europe. Tems believes that the world becomes more vibrant when individuals can pursue their dreams and careers, whether they aspire to be artists or ordinary people, in cities such as Lagos, London, or Los Angeles.

She expressed her sorrow about the hardships many people around the world are currently experiencing. She’s filled with sadness and dismay, but acknowledges that governments will behave as they always do. However, she does her utmost to lessen sadness for those in Nigeria and her local community. Each person should do what they can with their own abilities. If we all contribute, then things can improve.

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2024-12-12 14:32