Tems, born Temilade Openiyi on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the most celebrated voices to emerge from the Alte and R&B scene. Raised between the UK and Lagos following her parents’ divorce, she studied economics in Johannesburg before returning fully to music.
She launched her career in 2018 with the self-produced single “Try Me,” quickly establishing a sound that fuses Afrobeats, R&B, and Alte into something distinctly her own. Her breakout arrived with “Damages” and the Grammy-nominated “Essence” alongside Wizkid, which became a global crossover hit after a Justin Bieber remix.
Tems has since become one of the most in-demand vocalists in music, featured on Future and Drake’s Grammy-winning “Wait for U,” and Beyonce’s “Move.” Her debut album, Born in the Wild, further cemented her reputation for emotionally rich songwriting and genre-blending production.
At the 2026 Headies Awards, Tems is nominated for Best R&B Single (“What You Need”) and Best R&B Album (Love Is a Kingdom), continuing her run as one of Nigeria’s most decorated exports on the global stage.
