Tems' Star Power: The Journey and The Achievements.
Over the years, Nigerian music has witnessed a rollercoaster of musical stars and memorable events that put the country on the world map. Albeit, most of the successes attained would, without doubt, allude to the male artistes more because the Nigerian music industry is structured in a certain way that gives the highest number of listening audience to the male artistes, while, the minority of the listeners goes to the female artistes.
A few years ago, we had a paradigm shift where we now have more outstanding female artists erupting, making colourful music and changing the music narrative of the industry and even, competing with the male artists on the global market.
While we had Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Kizz Daniel, Phyno and M.I, Psquare, D Banj, Wande Coal, and Don Jazzy, we could only point to Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and Simi. Young artists like Fireboy, Omah Lay, Victony, and Buju were starting to emerge and effectively fill the void as Don Jazzy, Olamide, and M.I. aged. We wouldn't deny that we also have some female artists in the picture, but unfortunately, the number of emerging male young generation artists outweighs the females.
Then out of the blue, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, a Nigerian/British singer, songwriter, and producer erupted amidst other shining queens like Fave, Ayra Starr, and others. In 2018 when she started making some freestyle videos on Instagram. At first, it looked as if she had made a bad move but consciously, Tems began to prove her mettle after she earned a nomination for the Headies Awards for Best Vocal Performance for her single ‘Mr. Rebel’ and was also a nominee for the Next Rated artist for 2020.
Over the years, Nigerian music has witnessed a rollercoaster of musical stars and memorable events that put the country on the world map. Albeit, most of the successes attained would, without doubt, allude to the male artistes more because the Nigerian music industry is structured in a certain way that gives the highest number of listening audience to the male artistes, while, the minority of the listeners goes to the female artistes.
A few years ago, we had a paradigm shift where we now have more outstanding female artists erupting, making colourful music and changing the music narrative of the industry and even, competing with the male artists on the global market.
While we had Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Kizz Daniel, Phyno and M.I, Psquare, D Banj, Wande Coal, and Don Jazzy, we could only point to Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, and Simi. Young artists like Fireboy, Omah Lay, Victony, and Buju were starting to emerge and effectively fill the void as Don Jazzy, Olamide, and M.I. aged. We wouldn't deny that we also have some female artists in the picture, but unfortunately, the number of emerging male young generation artists outweighs the females.
Then out of the blue, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, a Nigerian/British singer, songwriter, and producer erupted amidst other shining queens like Fave, Ayra Starr, and others. In 2018 when she started making some freestyle videos on Instagram. At first, it looked as if she had made a bad move but consciously, Tems began to prove her mettle after she earned a nomination for the Headies Awards for Best Vocal Performance for her single ‘Mr. Rebel’ and was also a nominee for the Next Rated artist for 2020.
Tems, the first thing about her that catches one immediate attention is her voice. Her identity voice has a mellow and deep texture to it yet at the same time it’s so polarizing. In 2020, Tems released her first EP called ‘For Broken Ears’, a 7-track project centred around R&B and Afrobeat-centric sonics. I must admit for a first project this is a good body of work, she gives me H.E.R vibes with an African accent & rhythm.
With "For Broken Ears” EP, she warmed her way into the majority of hearts and made a home there. We found her music very hard to resist. Therapeutic and different from the norms. It had been long since someone blessed us with a song so emotional that it happened to win the hearts of both the male and female gender. Slowly, Tems began to gain a spot in our hearts, and ever since then, her dominance in the music scene has proved that she's here to stay forever. Although we have pacesetters like Tiwa Savage, Simi, and Sheyi Shay.
Tems is the female frontier of the major push for the "Afrobeat To The World" agenda by setting records across the globe.
This begs the question: "Is it High time we called Tems the Queen of Afrobeats?"
Deep research into Tems career run lately gives a resounding YES to the question. And as Tems continues to rule locally and stretches that feat to the world beyond, it’s safe to say she has successfully queened 2022.
None of the female artists, old or young, can be compared to the dominance she has spelt out in a couple of years of her emergence, the endless hits with long shelf lives, the international awards, the International collaborations, the sold-out concerts, and many more feats attained by the veteran artist.
In 2020, Tems featured on Wizkid's Album "Made In Lagos" and made a global anthem and 2021 Song of the summer with "Essence" with different certifications. The song peaked at number 1 on BBC’s 1Xtra Airplay chart, giving her her first number 1 single. In 2021, Tems received her biggest feature to date with Drake on ‘Fountains’ off Drake’s highly anticipated album ‘Certified Lover Boy’. In 2022, Tems received the BET award for the Best International act. She also got credited as a songwriter on Beyonce's "Renaissance album".
With "For Broken Ears” EP, she warmed her way into the majority of hearts and made a home there. We found her music very hard to resist. Therapeutic and different from the norms. It had been long since someone blessed us with a song so emotional that it happened to win the hearts of both the male and female gender. Slowly, Tems began to gain a spot in our hearts, and ever since then, her dominance in the music scene has proved that she's here to stay forever. Although we have pacesetters like Tiwa Savage, Simi, and Sheyi Shay.
Tems is the female frontier of the major push for the "Afrobeat To The World" agenda by setting records across the globe.
This begs the question: "Is it High time we called Tems the Queen of Afrobeats?"
Deep research into Tems career run lately gives a resounding YES to the question. And as Tems continues to rule locally and stretches that feat to the world beyond, it’s safe to say she has successfully queened 2022.
None of the female artists, old or young, can be compared to the dominance she has spelt out in a couple of years of her emergence, the endless hits with long shelf lives, the international awards, the International collaborations, the sold-out concerts, and many more feats attained by the veteran artist.
In 2020, Tems featured on Wizkid's Album "Made In Lagos" and made a global anthem and 2021 Song of the summer with "Essence" with different certifications. The song peaked at number 1 on BBC’s 1Xtra Airplay chart, giving her her first number 1 single. In 2021, Tems received her biggest feature to date with Drake on ‘Fountains’ off Drake’s highly anticipated album ‘Certified Lover Boy’. In 2022, Tems received the BET award for the Best International act. She also got credited as a songwriter on Beyonce's "Renaissance album".
Recently, Tems performed Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” in the Official Teaser for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” alongside the legendary American Rapper Kendrick Lamar.
With this mouthwatering impact and influence in the industry which is undeniable, considering that no one else has ever done it at this relatively young age, and without age sentiment or the number of years in the industry, should we still ask ourselves who the Queen of Afrobeat is or give the crown to Tems?
With this mouthwatering impact and influence in the industry which is undeniable, considering that no one else has ever done it at this relatively young age, and without age sentiment or the number of years in the industry, should we still ask ourselves who the Queen of Afrobeat is or give the crown to Tems?
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