Temilade Openiyi, known to the world as Tems, is the Nigerian singer-songwriter whose deep, soulful voice has carried her from the streets of Lagos to the Grammy stage. With breakout records like "Essence" and "Wait for U", and her debut studio album "Born in the Wild", she has become one of the most celebrated African artists of her generation.
Her rise is one of modern music's most remarkable stories. Born and raised in Lagos, Tems began by releasing independent singles and quietly building a fanbase at home. Then Wizkid's "Essence" made her a global name, and in just a few years she went from local buzz to chart-topping collaborations with Drake and Future, a songwriting credit for Rihanna, and Grammy wins - a Lagos-to-Grammys journey few artists anywhere can match.
Early Life
Tems was born Temilade Openiyi on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, making her 31 years old. Her first name, Temilade, means "the crown is mine" in Yoruba.
She spent her infancy in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria at the age of five, after her parents' divorce. She was raised across the Lagos neighbourhoods of Ilupeju, Lekki and Ajah, attended Dowen College, and later earned a degree in economics from Monash South Africa.
Career
Tems launched her career with the debut single "Mr Rebel" in 2018, followed by her viral breakout "Try Me" in 2019. She then released the EPs For Broken Ears (2020) and If Orange Was a Place (2021), building a loyal following with her moody, R&B-tinged sound.
Her global breakthrough came through Wizkid's "Essence" (2020), which climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 with its Justin Bieber remix and earned her a Grammy nomination. She followed it with a feature on Drake's Certified Lover Boy ("Fountains") in 2021.
In 2022, Future's "Wait for U," featuring Drake and sampling her song "Higher," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Tems also co-wrote Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a song that drew nominations for the Academy Award, the Golden Globe and the Grammy.
Her debut studio album, Born in the Wild, arrived in June 2024 via RCA Records and Since '93, led by the singles "Me & U," "Love Me JeJe" and "Burning," and was followed by a world tour. At the 67th Grammy Awards in 2025, "Love Me JeJe" won Best African Music Performance. Sources report that the win made her the first Nigerian artist to collect two Grammy Awards. As of 2025, she holds more than 25 million certified units worldwide, including 12 million certified by the RIAA.
Recent Work
In 2026, Tems joined forces with British rapper Dave on the single "Raindance" - read the Dave and Tems' 'Raindance' lyrics here on LatestLyrics.
She also curated the soundtrack for the film Children of Blood and Bone - see our Children of Blood and Bone soundtrack — Tems, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr feature. The project brings her together with fellow Nigerian star Ayra Starr - read the Ayra Starr biography — age, career, songs for more on her.
Personal Life
Tems keeps her personal life largely out of the spotlight and rarely discusses relationships or family in interviews, preferring to let her music speak for itself. Estimates of her net worth circulate online but are unverified, so none are published here.
Watch the Official Video
Dave & Tems - "Raindance" (Official Video)
FAQ
How old is Tems?
Tems is 31 years old - she was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria.
What is Tems' real name?
Her real name is Temilade Openiyi; Tems is her stage name.
Which song won Tems a Grammy?
"Love Me JeJe" won Best African Music Performance at the 67th Grammy Awards in 2025. She had earlier won Best Melodic Rap Performance for Future's "Wait for U" at the 2023 Grammys.
What is Tems' debut album?
Her debut studio album is Born in the Wild, released in June 2024 through RCA Records and Since '93.
0 Comments
Please don't enter any spam link in the comment box.
Emoji