From Lagos to the Grammys, Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has risen to global stardom without compromising her true self. “Authenticity is everything to me,” she says. “It’s the one thing I can’t compromise on because it’s all I have — who I really am.”
When Tems took the stage at New York’s MetLife Stadium for the FIFA Club World Cup halftime show in July, millions of viewers around the world were watching. The 30-year-old admits she felt the pressure of performing before such a massive audience, but she reflects on the experience with gratitude. “It was an honor to just be there,” she shares.
For many, her performance was a first introduction to the soulful pop star who has become one of Africa’s most prominent cultural exports. For others, it was simply confirmation of what they already knew: Tems is reshaping the landscape of global music.
Born Temilade Openiyi in Lagos, Nigeria, Tems began writing songs at a young age and taught herself to produce music at a time when few were willing to give her a chance. “It was really hard to get people to take me seriously — not just as a producer, but as a singer, period,” she remembers. “I didn’t feel safe, I didn’t feel seen, and I didn’t feel supported for a very long time.” Despite those early challenges, they never stopped her — instead, they fueled her determination.
That determination and grit fueled her rise to superstardom. In 2020, Tems collaborated with Wizkid on Essence, a track that made history as the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. She made waves again in 2022 when her vocal snippets from Higher were sampled in Future and Drake’s Grammy-winning Wait for U, which debuted at No. 1 — another first for Nigerian artists. Her own single Free Mind climbed the US charts, while her distinctive voice and powerful lyrics were featured on Beyoncé’s Move and Rihanna’s Lift Me Up.
In 2025, Tems solidified her place among music’s elite, winning a Grammy for Best African Music Performance for Love Me JeJe, a modern take on a Nigerian classic.
Yet, despite her meteoric rise, Tems is clear that fame was never her driving force. “I wasn’t thinking, ‘Is this working or not working?’ I was just like, well, I’m going to be me. If being me lands me under the bridge, cool. If it lands me on top of the mountain, cool.” Her authenticity has been the foundation of her success, and she’s unwavering in her commitment to staying true to herself.
That fearless authenticity has become her trademark.
Now, Tems is channeling her conviction into something even bigger than herself. In August, she launched the Leading Vibe Initiative, a mentorship and training platform aimed at supporting women in the music industry. The initiative seeks to challenge and reshape an industry that often sidelines female talent. “There are so many talented women who could be producers, managers, audio engineers — but they’re not even visible,” she explains. “I want to make them visible and create a space where we can redefine the role of women in music.”
The initiative, open to women ages 18-35, started in Lagos, but Tems’ vision stretches far beyond Nigeria. “We’re definitely taking this beyond Nigeria. Actually, we’re going to Kenya next,” she says. “There are women everywhere who just need to feel seen. All they need is that platform, all they need is that chance, and I really believe it’s going to change the shape of the music industry for sure.”
With the Leading Vibe Initiative, Tems is creating an environment where female talent can thrive, be recognized, and ultimately transform the landscape of music — on their own terms.
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The launch event in Lagos attracted a vibrant crowd of young women — singers, producers, and engineers — all eager to be part of the Leading Vibe Initiative. “It’s amazing how many people have come and supported us, and the amount of talent we have,” Tems said at the event. “Honestly, I’m blown away, and I can’t wait. This is a journey we’re all taking together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start.”
Her vision for Leading Vibe is deeply personal. Tems recalls the early days of hustling from studio to studio, trying to find allies in an industry dominated by men. The gatekeepers only began to take notice when her music reached a level they couldn’t ignore. “People started taking me seriously when my music got to a place they couldn’t fathom,” she reflects. “They were like, ‘How did she do that? We didn’t give this to her.'”
Reflecting on fame and success, Tems shares a grounded perspective: “Fame is not what you want. You could be famous and uncomfortable, famous and unsuccessful. What you really want is to be comfortable, to be able to provide for yourself — and fame isn’t always that.”
With Leading Vibe, Tems is focused not on chasing fame but on empowering others to thrive on their own terms, carving out a path for women in music that’s about authenticity, support, and real impact.
“So, I think it’s very important for you to define who you are, because if you don’t, other people will,” she says.
Tems’ most lasting impact may not just be the music she creates, but the doors she opens for other women across Africa and beyond. By building a movement that empowers women, she is helping shape a legacy far beyond her artistry.
CNN’s Larry Madowo and Lamide Akintobi contributed to this report.
