Tems, first Nigerian two time Grammy winner

Yesterday the city of Los Angeles came alive as the Grammy Awards, the biggest award to celebrate music and its artists took place and Tems stamped her name in history as the first Nigerian artist to win two Grammy Awards.
The highlight of the event for Africans was the Best African Music Performance category which was dominated by Nigeria’s biggest music artist Wizkid, BurnaBoy, Asake, Lojay, Davido, Yemilade and Tems. But the star of the night was Tems who bagged the Grammy award for the Best African category a toast to her exceptional talent and consistency.
Her remarkable journey from Lagos to international acclaim is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unique artistry.
Born Temilade Openiyi on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, Tems developed an early passion for music. She had worked as a digital media manager before switching lanes to music. Tems honed her vocal skills and learned to play the keyboard, using YouTube lessons to lay the foundation for her future in the music industry.
Her distinctive blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and Alté set her apart in Nigeria’s vibrant music scene.
She gained widespread recognition with her feature on Wizkid’s 2020 hit single “Essence.” The song’s success, including a remix featuring Justin Bieber, propelled it to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned a Grammy nomination. This collaboration showcased Tems’ soulful voice to a global audience.
In June 2024, Tems released her debut studio album, Born in the Wild, under RCA Records and Since ’93. The album received critical acclaim and commercial success, featuring singles like “Me & U,” “Love Me JeJe,” and “Burning.” It reached the top thirty in the UK, Netherlands, and Switzerland, and peaked at number fifty-six on the U.S. Billboard 200, marking the highest charting album by a Nigerian female artist at that time.
At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, Born in the Wild was nominated for Best Global Music Album. The track “Love Me JeJe” won the award for Best African Music Performance, making Tems the first Nigerian artist to secure multiple Grammy wins.
Beyond her solo projects, Tems has collaborated with international artists, contributing to tracks like Future’s “Wait for U” alongside Drake, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She also co-wrote “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, performed by Rihanna, earning nominations for prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song.