Precious
Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, is a talented and rising Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer who has recently taken the music scene by storm. She has achieved incredible success in a short amount of time, with her Grammy Award nomination and wins, NAACP and BET Awards wins, and numerous international endorsement deals.
READ ALSO: Singer Tems Makes History At 2023 Grammys, As Burna Boy Loses
Here are Twelve key things to know about Nigeria’s Grammy Award-winning artist, Tems:
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Tems was born in England, and when she was only five years old her parents separated. She was mainly raised by her mother, with whom she has a close relationship as shown in her debut EP, “For Broken Ears.” The fourth track, “Temilade Interlude,” features her mother’s voice throughout the entire piece.
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Tems attended Dowen College in Lekki and graduated with an economics degree from Monash University in Johannesburg.
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As a child, Tems found solace in the music room and was noticed by her music teacher. She learned to play the piano and guitar, and would often perform mini-concerts in her brother’s room. She was influenced by artists such as OutKast, Kate Nash, Green Day, and Lauryn Hill.
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Tems’ biggest musical influences are Frank Ocean, Asa, and Lil Wayne.
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Tems is private about her personal life and is currently single.
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She is a fan of anime and lists “Attack on Titan,” “Darker Than Black,” and “Demon Slayer” as some of her favorites.
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Tems writes, sings, and produces her own music, which is a rare accomplishment in the music industry. She began producing at the age of 20 and released her first single “Mr Rebel” in 2018.
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Tems’ collaboration with WizKid on “Essence” brought her unexpected fame and success. The song went viral, topped the charts, and earned Tems her first Billboard 100 listing. Despite already having a following in the Alté scene, Tems’ global breakthrough was explosive, leaving fans wondering who was behind the lush vocals they had been singing along to.
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In 2019, Tems was arrested for two days after performing at a concert in Uganda that failed to comply with COVID-19 guidelines. Despite the extreme situation, she said it gave her a new perspective on life and a deeper appreciation for her fans’ love.
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2022 was a successful year for Tems, with her song “Essence” receiving a Grammy nomination, and she won an NAACP award for her collaboration with Drake and Future. She also made history as the first Nigerian to win a BET award.
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According to BET, Tems is a fan of Asa, Adele, Lojay, and Zinloeesky.
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Tems is the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy award.
