It is often said that what a man can do, a woman can do. But here is Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, a female Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, setting the standard for men to follow.
On Sunday night, Tems did not just do what a could do, she had done that severally in the past, she did even more. She made history.
As a matter of fact, Tems did what no Nigerian artist, male or female has ever done.
You see, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrated outstanding achievements in the music industry over the past year.
Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the ceremony honoured a diverse array of artists and genres.
But then, Tems stole the night.
While the like of Kendrick Lamar, receives the respect and accolades he deserves from his country men and fans all over the world, Tems have crafted a spotlight for herself, one that is hard not to notice.
The 2025 Grammy Awards
Tems clinched the Best African Music Performance award for her hit single “Love Me JeJe.”
This marks her second Grammy win, following her previous award in 2023. “Love Me JeJe,” released on April 26, 2024, is a reimagined version of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic, blending Afrobeats with contemporary R&B elements.
With Sunday’s prize, Tems has become the first Nigerian to have two Grammys to her name after winning the Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for featuring on Future’s hit Wait For U.
The fact that Tems defeated top male artists in the category to clinch the Sunday award is in fact a matter of interest.
It is a clear testament to her skills and mastery of her art.
Tems’ Journey To Success
Her remarkable journey from Lagos to international acclaim is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unique artistry.
Tems 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.
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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.
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.
