Nigerian superstar Tems has expressed profound gratitude for her extraordinary journey, stating she has accomplished far more than she ever imagined possible. The Grammy-winning artist, born Temilade Openiyi, highlighted her evolution from a Lagos choir girl and economics student to a global icon with two Grammy wins, including Best African Music Performance for "Love Me JeJe" in 2025 the first for a Nigerian and Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U" with Future and Drake in 2023.
Tems credited her breakthrough to hits like "Try Me" in 2019 and the global smash "Essence" with Wizkid in 2020, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a Justin Bieber remix and earned a Grammy nod. Her 2024 debut album Born in the Wild garnered further nominations for Best Global Music Album and Best R&B Song ("Burning"), alongside collaborations with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake, and others, cementing her as Nigeria's most decorated female artist with BET, NAACP, and Soul Train honors.
Reflecting on turning 30, Tems emphasized her genre-blending Afrobeats-soul sound's role in elevating African music worldwide, paving paths for peers while maintaining artistic integrity amid tours, RIAA certifications, and cultural influence.