# Tems

> Tems (Temilade Openiyi) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer from Lagos who built a two-Grammy career on a contralto voice she once tried to hide. Self-taught on production via YouTube, she went from quitting a digital marketing job in 2018 to becoming the first African female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first Nigerian female Grammy winner, and a co-owner of an MLS soccer team — all while redefining what Afro-fusion sounds like on a global stage.

- **Role:** Recording Artist at Since '93 / RCA Records
- **Organizations:** Since '93, RCA Records, San Diego FC (MLS)
- **From:** Lagos, Nigeria
- **Nationality:** Nigerian
- **Education:** Secondary Education, Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, Bachelor of Economics, Monash South Africa, Johannesburg
- **Known for:** First African female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 ('Wait for U,' 2022), First Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy Award (2023), First Nigerian artist with multiple Grammy Awards (2025)

## Career timeline

- **2011** — Joined school choir at age 11; music teacher recognized her talent and taught her piano
- **2015** — At age 15, stopped listening to other artists to develop her own authentic voice
- **2018** — Quit digital marketing job; self-taught production via YouTube; released debut single 'Mr Rebel'
- **2019** — Released 'Try Me' (2.8M+ YouTube streams); first Headies Award nominations
- **2020** — Featured on Khalid & Disclosure's 'Know Your Worth' remix; released debut EP 'For Broken Ears'; featured on Wizkid's 'Essence'; arrested in Uganda during COVID lockdown performance
- **2021** — Wizkid's 'Essence' (ft. Tems) peaked at #9 Billboard Hot 100; featured on Drake's 'Fountains'; released 'If Orange Was a Place' EP; signed with RCA Records; named Apple Music Up Next artist
- **2022** — 'Wait for U' (Future ft. Drake & Tems) debuted at #1 Billboard Hot 100 - first African female artist to do so; co-wrote Rihanna's 'Lift Me Up' (Oscar/Golden Globe nominated); featured on Beyonce's Renaissance; won Soul Train Best New Artist
- **2023** — Won Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance ('Wait for U'); headlined NBA All-Star halftime show; first female Afrobeats artist at Met Gala; named TIME 100 Next
- **2024** — Released debut album 'Born in the Wild' (Metacritic 86/100); performed at Coachella; won Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Award; three Grammy nominations
- **2025** — Won second Grammy (Best African Music Performance, 'Love Me JeJe') - first Nigerian artist with multiple Grammys; joined San Diego FC MLS ownership (first African woman MLS co-owner); 'Raindance' with Dave hit #1 UK Singles Chart; released EP 'Love Is A Kingdom'
- **2026** — Appeared with Justin Bieber at Coachella 2026; co-headlining All Points East festival London with Jorja Smith

## Achievements

- First African female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 ('Wait for U,' 2022)
- First Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy Award (2023)
- First Nigerian artist with multiple Grammy Awards (2025)
- First female Afrobeats artist to attend the Met Gala (2023)
- First African singer to win Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Award (2024)
- First African woman with partial ownership in a Major League Soccer team (San Diego FC, 2025)
- Grammy Award: Best Melodic Rap Performance - 'Wait for U' (65th Grammy Awards, 2023)
- Grammy Award: Best African Music Performance - 'Love Me JeJe' (67th Grammy Awards, 2025)
- Academy Award nomination: Best Original Song - 'Lift Me Up' for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2023)
- Golden Globe nomination: Best Original Song - 'Lift Me Up' (2023)
- 4 BET Awards
- 4 NAACP Image Awards
- Over 25 million certified units sold worldwide
- Born in the Wild (2024) highest-charting album by a Nigerian female artist on Billboard 200 (#56)
- 'Raindance' with Dave - first UK #1 single (2025)

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Appeared with Justin Bieber at Coachella 2026; co-headlining All Points East festival in London with Jorja Smith
- **2026-01** — Performing at Forwards Festival 2026 alongside Little Simz, Self Esteem, and Wet Leg
- **2025-11** — Released surprise EP 'Love Is A Kingdom' - most intimate project to date
- **2025-06** — Performed at FIFA Club World Cup halftime show alongside Coldplay, Doja Cat, and J Balvin
- **2025-05** — 'Raindance' with Dave hit #1 on UK Singles Chart - her first UK number-one
- **2025-02** — Won Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance ('Love Me JeJe') at 67th Grammy Awards; joined San Diego FC MLS ownership group

## Links

- Website: https://temsbaby.com
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/temsbaby
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@temsbaby
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temsbaby
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/temsbaby
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@temsbaby

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tems
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-24