Tems talks on career milestones and new music plans to Billboard

Tems in Billboard Spotlight

On May 14, 2025, Tems appeared on the cover of Billboard, following her 2025 Grammy win for Best African Music Performance. In the interview, she talked on her rise in global music and the surprise of winning.

Tems hinted at new music, calling it a shift from her 2024 album Born in the Wild. She also revealed an unreleased track from the “Essence” sessions with Wizkid that remains unheard.

Tems Grammy Moment with Her Mom

She told Billboard that at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Tems brought her mom with her. It was a very special night for both of them. Tems shared that when her mom met famous actor Will Smith, she was excited and amazed. Tems said her mom just said, “Will Smith, wow!”

This showed how proud and happy her family was to be part of her big moment. It was not just about winning awards but also sharing unforgettable memories with the people she loved.

The Global Rise of “Essence”

Tems told Billboard how “Essence,” her 2020 hit with Wizkid, changed her life. Released on October 30, 2020, it became the first Nigerian song to hit the Billboard Hot 100. They recorded the track in 2019 when she had only three songs out.

The song’s success brought Tems major attention, and the remix with Justin Bieber in 2021 pushed it higher. She explained how this moment made her believe in her, even before her debut album dropped.

Nigerian Pride in Tems’ Grammy Wins

When Tems won her Grammy Awards, many Nigerian singers like Davido and Yemi Alade congratulated her online. Important leaders, including Nigeria’s president, also praised her success.

Fans called her the “queen of Afrobeats” and said she is a role model for young artists. This made Nigerians very proud and helped show that their music can be famous worldwide.

Born in Lagos, Raised by Music and Culture

Tems was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria. Her family briefly moved to the UK, but she returned to Nigeria at age five. She grew up surrounded by Afrobeat and soul music, writing songs as a teen.

Nigerian music legends deeply influenced her. Her early hits like “Mr Rebel” (2018) and “Try Me” (2019) were self-produced using YouTube tutorials.

Finding Her Voice While Living in the UK

Tems moved to the UK for college, and this change gave her room to experiment. She told Billboard that this period helped her shape her unique sound by mixing Nigerian traditions with global styles.

In the UK, she explored different genres and production techniques, which later helped her collaborate with artists like Drake, Future, and Beyoncé. This mix of cultures became part of her identity.

“Wait For U” and Making Billboard History

Tems reached a major career milestone with “Wait For U,” a 2022 track by Future featuring Drake and sampling her song “Higher.” The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

With this, Tems became the first African woman to top that chart. Her soft vocals carried the hook. The hit also won a Grammy and showed how far African music had reached in mainstream pop.

Creating “Born in the Wild”

Tems released Born in the Wild on June 7, 2024. It was her debut studio album, launched by Since ’93 and RCA Records. The album includes 18 songs, with features from J. Cole and Asake.

She told Billboard this project was her “most special moment.” Tems handled most of the writing and producing, making it fully her vision. Before the album dropped, she released singles like “Me & U” and “Love Me JeJe,” which were praised by fans.

Tems Songwriting and Sound Choices

Tems told Billboard she always wanted to keep full creative control. She writes and produces most of her music, which keeps her sound unique.

From her first EP For Broken Ears to Born in the Wild, she has shaped each release to match her life’s journey. She said that her songs feed her soul, not just her career. This mindset helps her keep authenticity, even with global fame.

Teaming Up With Global Stars

Tems’ rise included major collaborations. She worked with Beyoncé and Jay-Z on “Mood 4 Eva” from The Lion King: The Gift (2019). She also sang with Drake on “Fountains” (2021). Her voice carried “Wait For U” with Future and Drake.

She co-wrote Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), which got Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominations.

Awards Beyond the Grammys

Tems has earned major awards besides her Grammy wins. In 2024, she received the Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Award. She’s also been honored by the MOBO Awards and Nigeria’s Headies Awards.

In 2025, “Me & U” won Outstanding International Song at the 55th NAACP Image Awards. These awards recognize both her talent and the way she represents African music.

Thoughts on Mental Strength and Balance

Tems talks a lot about staying strong in your mind and keeping balance in life. She says it’s really important to be honest with yourself and to believe in what you’re doing. She also says that praying and being truthful help her stay calm and focused, even when things get tough.

Tems wants young people, especially girls, to trust themselves and not give up. She doesn’t have any official programs, but she uses her music and interviews to encourage people to be brave and keep going no matter what.

Tems on Future Albums

Tems told Billboard she’s entering a new artistic phase. Her next body of work will be different from Born in the Wild. She wants to keep growing while staying close to her roots.

Tems also hinted that unreleased music is on the way, including a track recorded during the “Essence” sessions. She’s excited to keep surprising fans.

Hard Times and Doubts Behind the Music

Before fame, Tems worked a 9-to-5 job and struggled to afford her first single. She couldn’t even pay the $12 upload fee for “Mr Rebel” until her aunt helped. With no producer, she wrote music alone and learned to make beats herself.

She once believed talent alone was enough, but learned the business side later. Tems battled doubt, fear, and even depression early on. Still, she stayed committed to her sound, refusing to change her style just to fit in.

Pushing Through Setbacks and Staying Grounded

Tems faced critics who didn’t think she could succeed. Her career began as a dream many dismissed. In 2020, she was briefly jailed in Uganda for a COVID-19 violation during a tour.

Through it all, her family, especially her mom and brother, and her team, helped her stay strong. She turns to prayer and honesty to stay balanced.

Tems told Billboard she reflects on those tough days and is amazed by how far she’s come, even as songs like Apt. break global records on Billboard, showing how diverse artists continue to shape the music world.

Breaking Industry Norms With Every Move

Tems stands out for controlling her music, choosing her team, and making each move carefully. She told Billboard that industry pressure doesn’t shape her choices. Instead, she listens to her inner voice and stays honest in her work.

This independence helped her create a unique career path, one that’s inspiring other artists too, much like the resilience seen in Kathy Bates rollercoaster career.

What surprised you most about Tems’ rise? Drop your thoughts below!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.