Tems pictured in 2021 | Instagram

Temilade Openiyi (born 11 June 1995), popularly known by her stage name Tems, is a Nigerian singer. In 2021, she earned two US top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with her collaboration with Drake on the song “Fountains” from his album Certified Lover Boy, and the Wizkid single “Essence”; the latter of which reached the top ten following a remix with Justin Bieber, and earned her a Grammy Award nomination.

In the same year, Tems was ranked number one on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart and number-five on the Billboard Emerging Artist chart. In September 2021, Tems was signed to RCA records, and released her second EP If Orange Was a Place, which reached the top ten on the Billboard World Albums chart.

Early Life and Career

Temilade Openiyi was born on 11 June 1995 in Lagos, Nigeria. Born to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father, Tems’ family moved to the United Kingdom shortly after birth. Her parents divorced when she was five. Tems relocated to Nigeria with her mother, they resided in ilupeju before moving to Lekki then Ajah. Tems attended Dowen College before proceeding to South Africa for her Tertiary education. At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and she learned to play the piano. She would practice singing with her brother’s guitar accompaniment.

In 2018 Tems quit her job to pursue a career in music, she recorded “Mr Rebel”, a song of her own composition. In August 2019, she released the single “Try Me” which became a hit track. In 2020, DJ Edu chose her as one of “ten artists to watch” that year. She was recruited that year by American singer Khalid to join him and fellow Nigerian Davido on an Afrobeats remix of “Know Your Worth”.

On 25 September 2020, Tems released her debut extended play For Broken Ears, it was produced primarily by Tems and her single “Damages” from the EP became another follow up hit to “Try Me”, peaking at number one on the Apple Music Nigeria and number six on the then-newly launched TurnTable Top 50 chart and garnering five million views on YouTube. In 2020, her collaboration with Wizkid on their song “Essence” earned her a number one spot on BBC 1Xtra Airplay Chart. and also earned her first career entry on Billboard Hot 100.

On 8 November 2020, she was included in The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020.

In December 2020, Tems and fellow Nigerian artist Omah Lay were arrested in Uganda after a live performance at a show for violating COVID-19 lockdown safety laws by the Ugandan Police authority. Two days later, they were released and the charges were dropped.

On 2 September 2021, it was announced on billboards in Lagos that Tems was set to feature on rapper Drake’s Certified Lover Boy album. her collaboration with Drake on the song “Fountains” earned her her second Billboard Hot 100 entry debuting at number twenty six.

On 15 September 2021, Tems released her second extended play titled If Orange Was a Place, primarily produced by GuiltyBeatz and supported by the single “Crazy Tings” which peaked at number three on the UK Afrobeats chart, it debuted at number seven on the Billboard World Albums chart and number nine on the Heatseekers Album chart. her collaboration with Brent Faiyaz on the song “Found” from the EP debuted at number seventeen on the Hot R&B Songs chart, number thirty three on the New Zealand hot singles chart and number one on the UK Afrobeats Chart.

Husband/ Boyfriend

Tems is currently single and not in any relationship or dating for now. Tems is also not yet married.

Net Worth

Tems’ net worth as of 2021 is estimated to be around $4 million – $15 million (net worth estimated in 2021).

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