TEMS

Early Life and Background

Tems was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to the United Kingdom, but they returned to Nigeria when she was five after her parents separated. She was raised primarily by her mother in Lekki, Lagos.

She attended Dowen College for her secondary education and later studied Economics at Monash South Africa University in Johannesburg. Tems discovered her passion for music at a young age. She learned to play the piano and began producing her own music using software on her laptop, teaching herself the skills needed to create her unique sound.

Career Beginnings and Breakthrough

After graduating from university in 2018, Tems returned to Nigeria and worked a corporate job in digital marketing. However, she felt unfulfilled and decided to leave her job to pursue a full-time career in music, despite the uncertainty.

She released her debut single, "Mr Rebel," in August 2018. The self-produced track showcased her distinctive alternative R&B style and immediately set her apart in the Nigerian music scene. She followed this up with the single "Looku Looku" in 2019.

Her major breakthrough came in August 2019 with the release of the single "Try Me." The song, an anthem of defiance and self-empowerment, became a massive viral hit. Its raw emotion and powerful message resonated with a huge audience, establishing Tems as a formidable new talent.

International Rise to Fame and Major Collaborations

Tems' career soared to international heights after she was featured on Wizkid's 2020 global smash hit, "Essence." The song, from Wizkid's album Made in Lagos, became the first Nigerian song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. A remix featuring Canadian superstar Justin Bieber further propelled its success, earning Tems a Grammy Award nomination. "Essence" was dubbed the "song of the summer" and introduced her unique vocals to a massive global audience.

Following this success, she was featured on the song "Fountains" from Drake's 2021 album, Certified Lover Boy.

In 2022, her global profile reached new heights when she was featured on Future's hit single, "Wait for U," alongside Drake. The song, which sampled her track "Higher," debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first Nigerian artist to debut at the top of the chart. The collaboration earned her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, her first win.

Songwriting for Global Superstars and Born in the Wild

Tems' talent as a songwriter has been sought after by some of the biggest names in music. She co-wrote the song "Lift Me Up," performed by Rihanna for the soundtrack of the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The song earned her nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best Original Song.

She released her debut full-length studio album, "Born in the Wild," in June 2024. The album was met with widespread critical acclaim and featured collaborations with artists like Asake and J. Cole. It solidified her status as a global music icon, praised for its lyrical depth, vulnerability, and masterful production.

Tems is celebrated for her authenticity and her role in pioneering the "alte" (alternative) sound in the mainstream, breaking barriers for a new generation of African artists.