Temz
Tems: The Soul Voice That Shook the World
By KULTUR
Tems doesn’t just sing — she transfixes.
Born Temilade Openiyi in Lagos, Tems came into the game like a calm storm. No noise. No gimmicks. Just that rich, smoky voice and a presence so powerful it felt spiritual.
Her breakout single “Try Me” in 2019 wasn’t just a hit — it was a wake-up call. From the moment she sang those first words, we knew she was different. Here was a woman pouring truth into her sound — vulnerable but untouchable, soft yet unshakably strong.
Tems' music lives in the sweet space between alté, R&B, soul, and Afrobeats, but she doesn’t fit neatly into a box — she builds her own lane. Her debut EP, “For Broken Ears”, gave us stripped-back production and raw emotion that cut deep. Songs like “Damages” and “Free Mind” became anthems — for heartbreak, for healing, for freedom.
But her voice wasn’t meant to stay underground.
In 2020, she soared to international stardom with her unforgettable verse on Wizkid’s “Essence”. The world couldn’t get enough. The girl from Lagos with the heavy soul and headwrap was suddenly gracing global stages, collaborating with Drake, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Future — and still staying 100% Tems.
She made history in 2023 as the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, proving what many already knew: her sound, her style, her presence — they’re once-in-a-generation.
Tems’ appeal lies in her truth. She doesn't chase trends — she channels emotion. She doesn’t shout — she feels. In her voice, you hear the weight of Lagos nights, the strength of African women, and the sound of a world slowly learning to listen.
She represents a new kind of Nigerian woman in music — powerful, poetic, and fully in control.
And as her journey unfolds, one thing’s for sure: Tems isn’t just breaking barriers — she’s building a whole new frequency.