Tems achieved major international recognition, winning a Grammy for "Love Me Jeje" and becoming one of Nigeria's most successful female musicians after a breakthrough on "Essence." She rose from financial constraints and limited early support to collaborate with global stars such as Beyonce and Drake and perform at major events including the NBA All-Star Game half-time, Coachella 2024, and the Fifa Club World Cup final. Tems now helps African women navigate the music industry. Female artists in Africa confront structural barriers—lack of funding and infrastructure—and pervasive misogyny, including sexual exploitation and gendered discouragement from instruments and roles.
In February, the singer Tems won the second of her two Grammy awards for the single Love Me Jeje, a milestone that made her arguably the most successful Nigerian woman in music since Sade Adu. Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage, Tems said, flanked by her mother and members of her team. It was yet another win for the rising talent since her breakthrough five years ago on the track Essence with fellow Nigerian superstar Wizkid.
As a newcomer in Nigeria's music industry, Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, faced many challenges. Unable to afford beats for her songs, only a handful of people believed in her vision in those early days. Today, the 30-year-old is a household name, collaborating with megastars such as Beyonce and Drake. She has also performed at festivals and on stages that many of her peers still covet the 2023 NBA All-Star Game half-time show, Coachella in 2024, and at this summer's Fifa Club World Cup final.
Succeeding as a musician in Africa remains a tough endeavour and only a few make it to stardom. On that slope to success are many barriers, including lack of funding and infrastructure, that are even further compounded for women who additionally face misogyny. There are some people who I looked up to in the industry but, surprisingly, they also wanted sex, the singer Yemi Alade said in an interview in 2016. The Beninese-French singer Angelique Kidjo has also spoken of people discouraging her from playing the drums, with one person insisting drums are not made for women to play.
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