The Voice of a New Generation
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Temilade Openiyi
- Born: June 11, 1995
- Origin: Lagos, Nigeria
- Genres: Afrobeats, R&B, Alternative R&B, Soul, Alternative Pop
- Years Active: 2018-present
- Labels: Leading Vibe Records, RCA Records
- Notable Awards: Grammy Award, BET Award, NAACP Image Award
Biography
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, emerged as one of Africa’s most compelling voices, breaking through with her distinctive blend of alternative R&B and Afrobeats. Born in Lagos to a Nigerian mother and British father, she spent her early years between the UK and Nigeria. Teaching herself music production at 17, she developed her signature sound while working as a digital marketer.
Her breakthrough came in 2020 with “Try Me,” but it was her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” that catapulted her to global stardom. This was followed by high-profile collaborations with Drake, Future, and Beyoncé, cementing her position as a global music phenomenon.
Musical Style & Voice
- Vocal Characteristics
- Deep, rich alto
- Distinctive vibrato
- Emotive delivery
- Powerful range
- Unique tone coloration
- Songwriting Themes
- Self-empowerment
- Emotional vulnerability
- Personal growth
- Spiritual journey
- Love and relationships
Discography
EPs
For Broken Ears (2020)
- “Damages”
- “Ice T”
- “Free Mind”
If Orange Was a Place (2021)
- “Crazy Tings”
- “Found” ft. Brent Faiyaz
- “Replay”
Notable Singles & Features
- “Try Me” (2019)
- “Essence” with Wizkid (2020)
- “Higher” (2020)
- “Wait For U” with Future & Drake (2022)
- “Move” with Beyoncé (2022)
- “Free Mind” (2022)
- “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Awards & Achievements
Grammy Awards
- Best Melodic Rap Performance (2023)
- Multiple nominations
Other Major Awards
- BET Award for Best International Act
- NAACP Image Award
- BMI Impact Award
- Nigerian Entertainment Awards
Artistic Impact
Musical Innovation
- Blend of genres
- Unique vocal styling
- Alternative sound in Afrobeats
- Emotional depth in songwriting
Cultural Influence
- Female empowerment
- African representation
- Global sound fusion
- Fashion influence
Performance Style
- Stage Presence
- Commanding aura
- Minimalist approach
- Emotional connection
- Powerful vocal delivery
- Natural charisma
- Live Shows
- Intimate performances
- Festival appearances
- International tours
- Special guest appearances
Brand & Image
Visual Aesthetic
- Sophisticated style
- Natural hair advocacy
- Minimalist fashion
- African influences
- Modern elegance
Public Persona
- Authentic
- Reserved
- Spiritual
- Empowering
- Thoughtful
Notable Collaborations
Major Artists
- Wizkid
- Drake
- Future
- Beyoncé
- Rihanna (Songwriting)
- Justin Bieber
- Chris Brown
Producers
- GuiltyBeatz
- Oddio
- Blaize
- Kyle Cross
Business Ventures
- Leading Vibe Records
- Independent label
- Artist development
- Music production
- Creative direction
Digital Presence
- Strong social media following
- Engaging content creation
- Personal brand development
- Global audience reach
Social Impact
Advocacy
- Women’s empowerment
- African creativity
- Mental health awareness
- Youth inspiration
Philanthropy
- Education initiatives
- Arts support
- Community development
Creative Process
- Self-taught production
- Emotional songwriting
- Spiritual inspiration
- Collaborative approach
- Genre-blending experimentation
Industry Recognition
Charts Performance
- Billboard Hot 100 entries
- UK Singles Chart success
- Global streaming records
- African chart dominance
Critical Acclaim
- International press coverage
- Critical reviews
- Industry respect
- Peer recognition
Future Projects & Direction
- Album anticipation
- International tours
- Collaborative projects
- Label development
- Brand expansion
Cultural Significance
African Music
- Modern sound pioneer
- Genre evolution
- Global representation
- Cultural fusion
Female Empowerment
- Industry role model
- Creative independence
- Business leadership
- Artistic authenticity
Legacy Building
- Sound innovation
- Cultural impact
- Global recognition
- Genre expansion
- Industry influence
Media Presence
Press Coverage
- International features
- Magazine covers
- Documentary appearances
- Interview highlights
Content Creation
- Music videos
- Social media
- Behind-the-scenes
- Live performances
