Tems

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from Temilade Openiyi)
This article is about the Nigerian singer. For the singular of Tems, see Tem. For other uses, see TEMS.

Tems
Tems on NdaniTV Sessions in 2019
Tems on NdaniTV Sessions in 2019
Background information
Birth nameTemilade Openiyi
Also known asTems
Born (1995-06-11) 11 June 1995 (age 28)
Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2018–present
Labels
  • Since ’93
  • RCA
  • Leading Vibes
Websiteleadingvibe.com

Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer.[2][3] She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination.[4][3] That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.[5]

In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. Her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place (2021), was released after she signed a record deal with RCA Records.[6] In 2022, Tems' vocals from her song "Higher" were sampled by Future on his single, "Wait for U", which led to her being credited as a featured artist alongside Drake on the song. It debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to debut at number one and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart.[4][7] The song earned her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.[8] Tems covered Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack album in July 2022[9] and in the same month, her song "Free Mind" from her debut EP which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[10][11] She also co-wrote the song "Lift Me Up" by Rihanna, which earned her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song,[12] the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song[13] and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.[14][15]

In 2024, Tems announced that her upcoming debut studio album Born in the Wild will be released in May.[16]

Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, three BET Awards[17] and three Soul Train Music Awards.[18][19][20][17][21][22]

Early life

Temilade Openiyi was born on 11 June 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, and when she was an infant, her family relocated to the UK; however, when she was five years old, her family returned to Nigeria following her parents' separation.[23][24] Tems resided in Ilupeju before moving to Lekki and later Ajah.[25] Tems attended Dowen College for her secondary education and Monash South Africa for her tertiary education.[24][26][27] At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and learned to play the piano. She practised singing with her brother and often used his guitar accompaniment.[28][29]

Career

2018–2021: Career beginnings and extended plays

In 2018, Tems quit her job to pursue a career in music. She began to learn self production skills on YouTube[26] and on 18 July 2018, she released her debut single, "Mr Rebel", a song which she produced by herself.[28] On 7 August 2019, she released the single "Try Me".[23] In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of "ten artists to watch" that year.[30] On 23 April 2020, Tems was featured alongside fellow Nigerian singer Davido on a reworked version of American singer-songwriter Khalid and English electronic music duo Disclosure's single, "Know Your Worth".[31][32]

On 25 September 2020, Tems released her debut extended play, For Broken Ears. It was produced primarily by her and the single "Damages" from the EP became another follow up hit to "Try Me", peaking at number one on the Nigerian Apple Music chart and number six on the then-newly launched TurnTable Top 50 chart and garnering five million views on YouTube. On 30 October 2020, Tems was featured on fellow Nigerian singer Wizkid's single, "Essence", from the latter's fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. The song earned her a number one spot on BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart.[33][34] and also earned her first career entry on Billboard Hot 100 at number 9.[35] Tems won a Soul Train Music Awards,[36] two NAACP Image Awards,[37] and received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Global Music Performance.[38] On 8 November 2020, Tems was included in The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020.[39]

On 13 August 2021, a reworked version of "Essence", which contains an additional feature from Canadian singer Justin Bieber, was released, which propelled the song to reach number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. On 3 September 2021, Tems was featured on Canadian rapper and singer Drake's song, "Fountains", from the latter's sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, which debuted at number 26 on the Hot 100.[40][41] On 15 September 2021, Tems released her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place, after being signed to RCA records.[42] It was primarily produced by GuiltyBeatz, and the single "Crazy Tings" was released five days before and peaked at number three on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart.[43][44] Later, Tems reached number one on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart[45] and the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.[46]

2022–present: Breakthrough

On 31 March 2022, Apple Music 1 Launched Leading Vibe Radio Show With Tems.[47] On 2 April, its first episode features an appearance from Muyiwa Awoniyi, and Tunji Balogun.[48] On 29 April 2022, Tems was featured alongside Drake on American rapper Future's single, "Wait for U", from the latter's ninth studio album, I Never Liked You. The song debuted atop the Hot 100, making Tems the first African female artist to top the chart and more so debut atop the chart.[49] The song samples the song "Higher" from For Broken Ears.[50]

In July 2022, Tems covered Bob Marley's No Woman, No Cry for the Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack which she was credited alongside Rihanna.[9] On 26 July, Tems gained her fourth Hot 100 with her song "Free Mind" from For Broken Ears which debuted on the chart peaking at number 44 and number 1 on the U.S. Afrobeats song chart. It earned her her first platinum and silver solo certification in the United States and United Kingdom.[51][52][53] In July 2022, Tems was announced as a guest artist on Beyoncé's album Renaissance,[54] collaborating on the song "Move" with Grace Jones, becoming her fifth entry on the Hot 100.[55] In October 2022, she co-wrote Rihanna's song "Lift Me Up" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.[56]

Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Tems were nominated at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards for "Best Original Song — Motion Picture" for "Lift Me Up" from the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.[57][58]

In 2023, Future, Drake, and Tems won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U." Thus, it marks the first female Nigerian artiste to win a Grammy Award.[59][60]

Tems won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards, which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos in February 2023.[61] In May 2023, Tems was invited to fashion's biggest night out, the Met Gala.

Furthermore, Tems was listed on the 2023 Time 100 Next list[62][63]

On 5 October 2023, Tems released the single "Me & U".[64] The song marks Tems's first solo output since If Orange Was a Place, excluding her cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" which was released in 2022.[65] Me & U peaked at number 1 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart while in the United States, it reached number 10 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[66]

On 5 December 2023, Tems announced that her second single of the year "Not an Angel" would be released on 8 December.[67]

In March 2024, Tems became the first African singer to be awarded a Billboard Women in Music Award in which she received under the Breakthrough category.[21][68] Tems debut studio album Born in the Wild is scheduled for release in May.[16]

Artistry

Tems' mother only allowed her to listen to Christian music when Tems was a child. Later in her teenage years, she became interested in R&B and hip hop music. She listened to Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, and Aaliyah, and covered Alicia Keys' 2004 single, "If I Ain't Got You", in a live performance. Growing up, she was also interested in artists such as Burna Boy, Lauryn Hill, Adele, Rihanna, Coldplay, Paramore, and Asa.[25] At the age of 15, she stopped listening to other artists in search of her own identity, because "I wanted to learn how to attack a song from what I was feeling, not what Beyoncé would do or anyone else".[69] Her voice has been described as deep, velvety, and androgynous.[69][25]

Legal issues

On 14 December 2020, Tems was arrested alongside fellow Nigerian singer Omah Lay after they performed in a show in Uganda. The Ugandan police authority identified violation of COVID-19 lockdown protocols as the reason for their arrests, but the two artists felt they were set up.[70][71] Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, and apologised for the arrests and dropped the charges against the two artists.[72]

Discography

Main article: Tems discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Tems

On February 5, 2023, Tems won a Best Melodic Rap Performance Grammy for her collaboration on "Wait For U" with Future and Drake.[73][74] That same month, she won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.[75]

References

  1. ^ Monger, Timothy. "Tems Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  2. ^ "The sweet, arresting harmonies of Nigeria's Tems". The FADER. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Tems – Grammy Award". Grammy Award. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  4. ^ a b Akinyode, Peace (30 August 2023). "I was okay with people not liking my music - Tems". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Tems Biography, Songs, Age, Education, and Net Worth". VK. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Tems Signs to Since '93/RCA, Named Apple Music 'Up Next' Artist". Billboard. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Tems Is The First African Artist To Debut At No. 1 On The Hot 100". Uproxx. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Grammys 2023: Winners List". The New York Times. 5 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Nigeria's Tems joins Marvelverse with "No woman No Cry" rendition - Businessday NG". businessday.ng. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  10. ^ Anderson, Trevor (18 May 2023). "Tems' 'Free Mind' Breaks Female Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Nigerians celebrate Tems' Grammy rap award". BBC News. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  12. ^ Corrine, Amber (24 January 2023). "Rihanna Earns 2023 Oscar Nomination For 'Black Panther' Song 'Lift Me Up'". VIBE.com. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  13. ^ BellaNaija.com (12 December 2022). "Tems, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Angela Bassett & Viola Davis nominated for 2023 Globe Globe Awards". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  14. ^ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Tems music, videos, stats, and photos". Last.fm. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  16. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (15 April 2024). "Tems Announces Debut Album 'Born in the Wild'". Billboard. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b Quayyim, Adedimeji (22 February 2023). "Tems, Wizkid clinch wins at the NAACP Image Awards". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  18. ^ Beresford, Trilby; Coates, Tyler (27 February 2022). "2022 NAACP Image Awards: 'The Harder They Fall' Takes Best Film, Jennifer Hudson Named Entertainer of the Year". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  19. ^ Respers France, Lisa (29 November 2021). "Soul Train Awards 2021: The winners list". CNN. Retrieved 2 March 2022..
  20. ^ "Breaking: BET Soul Train Awards 2022 Winners (Full List)". Techscoops. Tolulope Olulana. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  21. ^ a b Grein, Paul (24 January 2024). "2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards to Honor Ice Spice, NewJeans, Victoria Monét, Kylie Minogue & More". Billboard. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  22. ^ Jackson, Angelique (12 March 2024). "NAACP Image Award Winners List: Victoria Monét, Chris Brown and 'The Color Purple' Nab Early Wins at Virtual Ceremony". Variety. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Interview: Tems Is On a Mission to Take Over". OkayAfrica. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  24. ^ a b Olatunji, Mercy (28 February 2021). "Full biography of Nigerian singer Tems and other facts about her". DNB Stories Africa. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  25. ^ a b c "The sweet, arresting harmonies of Nigeria's Tems". The Fader. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Tems interview: Nigerian music's biggest new star". The Face. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Tems Biography And Net Worth - NairaPawa". 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Native Exclusive: How Tems Triumphs after "Mr Rebel"". The Native. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Tems | Music Artist, Actress, Composer". IMDb. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Rema". OkayAfrica. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Khalid Recruits Davido and Tems on New Single 'Know Your Worth (Remix)'". OkayAfrica. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  32. ^ Garel, Connor (15 January 2024). "No One Sounds Like Tems". The Cut. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  33. ^ "BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart". ukairplaychart.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  34. ^ "The Essence of Wizkid and Tems". Mp3chord.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  35. ^ "Wizkid's Essence Enters Hot 100 Shoutout to Good Music Lovers Everywhere". Billboard. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  36. ^ "H.E.R. Is Top Nominee at 2021 Soul Train Awards; Maxwell & Ashanti to Receive Special Awards: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  37. ^ Spivey, Kemberlie (19 January 2022). "2022 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: The Full List". Forbes. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Wizkid, Burnaboy, oda Nigerian artists wey dey 2022 Grammy nomination". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  39. ^ "The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020". The Future Awards Africa. 8 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  40. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (2 September 2021). "Drake Reveals 'Certified Lover Boy' Album Features on Billboards". Complex. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  41. ^ "Tems to feature on Drake's CLB album". Pulse Nigeria. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  42. ^ "Singer, Tems: Biography, Age, Parents, Boyfriend, Net Worth and Source of Wealth". 27 June 2022.
  43. ^ "Tems shares new EP If Orange Was A Place". The FADER. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  44. ^ "Tems' 'Found' with Brent Faiyaz Hits New Peak on the UK Afrobeats Chart". NotjustOk. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Tems Claims Number One Spot on Billboard Next Big Sound Chart". Arise News. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  46. ^ Zellner, Xander (8 June 2022). "Tems Tops Emerging Artists Chart for First Time, Chase McDaniel & Dehd Debut in Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  47. ^ Rys, Dan (31 March 2022). "Apple Music 1 Launches New 'Leading Vibe Radio' Show With Tems". Billboard. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  48. ^ Courage, Onyema (2 May 2022). "Def Jam CEO Tunji Balogun joins Leading Vibe Radio with Tems". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  49. ^ Trust, Gary (9 May 2022). "Future, Drake & Tems' 'Wait For U' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 which won a Grammy in 2023". Billboard. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  50. ^ Reeves, Mosi (29 April 2022). "Future is a Platinum-Encrusted Antihero on 'I Never Liked You'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  51. ^ "American certifications – Tems". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  52. ^ "British certifications – Tems". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 October 2023. Type Tems in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. ^ @billboardcharts (25 July 2022). "@temsbaby's "Free Mind" debuts at No. 90 on this week's #Hot100" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 July 2022 – via Twitter.
  54. ^ "Beyoncé Announces Release Date for New 16-Song Project 'Renaissance'". Complex. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  55. ^ Zellner, Xander (8 August 2022). "Beyoncé Sends All 16 Songs From 'Renaissance' Onto Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  56. ^ Garcia, Thania (26 October 2022). "Rihanna Returns to Music With 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Original Song". Variety. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  57. ^ "Tems Snags 2023 Golden Globe Nomination". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  58. ^ "A Complete List of the 2023 Golden Globe Nominees". 10 January 2023.
  59. ^ "Future, Drake, and Tems Win Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U" at 2023 Grammys". Pitchfork. 5 February 2023.
  60. ^ Ogunsunlade, Imisioluwa (5 February 2023). "Tems Becomes The First Nigerian Female Artiste To Win Grammys".
  61. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  62. ^ "2023 TIME100 Next: Tems". Time. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  63. ^ Akinyode, Peace (14 September 2023). "Tems makes TIME Magazine's 2023 Next 100 list". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  64. ^ Soencer, Tallie (5 October 2023). "Tems Shares New Hypnotic Single "Me & U"". www.hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  65. ^ "Tems returns with the brand new single, "Me & U"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  66. ^ "Tems songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  67. ^ "Tems Not An Angel Single Release Date Confirmed". Uproxx. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  68. ^ Mamo, Heran (4 March 2024). "Tems Stopped 'Worrying About What People Think' — And Became One of Africa's Biggest Stars". Billboard. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  69. ^ a b "Artist to watch: 5 things to know about Tems". gq.co.za. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  70. ^ "Why Uganda Police do U-turn for Omah Lay release, tie am 'handcuffs'". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  71. ^ "Nigerian star Omah Lay arrested after Uganda gig". Vanguard (Nigeria). 14 December 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  72. ^ Paulinus, Aidoghie (16 December 2020). "Uganda apologized to FG over arrest of singer Omah Lay, others". The Sun (Nigeria). Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  73. ^ "Tems Wins Her First Grammy Award". Africanfolder.com. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  74. ^ "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  75. ^ "Burnaboy, Black Sherif, Win At The Soundcity MVP Awards 2023 (FULL WINNERS LIST)". African Folder. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.

External links