Nigerian singer and songwriter, Temilade Openiyi popularly known as Tems grew up in her parent’s house in Ilupeju, Lagos. She was the type who didn’t mix with people outside his family.
Due to her loneliness, Tems developed interest in music. She started writing at age 11 and became a chansonnier at 12.
After studying Economics at the university, she was hired as a digital marketer. However, due to her apathy for the job, she was later ‘demoted’ to a personal assistant. In 2018, Tems quit her corporate job and ventured into the music world.
The 29-year-old vocalist started learning music and sound production on YouTube. After she mastered the craft, Tems released her self-produced song titled, ‘Mr Rebel’, and followed up with another hit single ‘Try Me’ in 2019.
Her joint effort with award-winning singer, Wizkid in a song titled, ‘Essense’ made her a global star. Tems has since become the first female Nigerian artiste to win a Grammy, and also the first female Nigerian singer to be nominated for a Grammy Award.
Olaitan Ganiu monitored her recent chat with Grammy where she talked about her progress in the music industry, the inspiration behind her debut studio album ‘Born in the Wild’, and the future path for herself.
Debut albums set the tone for an artiste’s entire career. What do you want to convey with ‘Born in the Wild?’
As humans, we are multidimensional beings. ‘Born in the Wild’ is about embracing all of oneself. Thinking about when I decided to go into music up until this point, I had to figure out the best way to tell the story of the Nigerian girl who became this person called Tems. And that person was born in the wilderness. Yes, I was born in Africa, but the wilderness is more about the difficulties that I faced mentally and the jump from working 9 am to 5 pm, to trying to sing when nobody believed in you and everybody laughed at you.
‘Born in the Wild’ is about survival; I was born in a survival state and raised to survive. Coming from that to now being someone who can dominate, the ability to overcome and to conquer — that’s the story. That’s my story.
‘Born in the Wild’ speaks to success and taking advantage of every opportunity that is presented to you. It sounds like you’re documenting your journey in real-time. Can you speak more about that?
I’m someone who doesn’t like attention. Like, I could be in my room making my music for months, and I would not even fathom sharing my music. I’m such an introvert. I love my alone time. I do everything I can to make sure I can just go back into my cave.
‘Ready’ is about the moment that I decided I will no longer hide, I will no longer be in my comfort zone, I will no longer be silent. I recognize that what I need to do is bigger than me. It’s not about what I like or what’s comfortable for me. It’s what needs to be done, you know? I cannot make art and just enjoy my art like that.
I’m willing to overcome myself so that I can be the person that I’m meant to be, and I’m ready now to face whatever difficulty, or obstacle comes my way. Even if it makes me cry, even if it makes me angry, even if it makes me sad, I’m ready. I’ll do it crying. I’ll do it angry. I’m going to continue going forward. That’s a decision I’ve made, and I haven’t turned back since.
Do you feel like you’re still in survival mode, or are you slowly coming out of that and now being able to somewhat relish in the success you’ve had?
I don’t think after survival comes relish. I think after survival comes learning and unlearning. I think now I’m in a place where I can actually thrive. I can flourish and grow and blossom more into the person that I’m meant to be. I can take things and I can receive love easier. I can understand things better because I’m not so busy trying to survive that I forget to actually learn the lessons that are meant to help me overcome the things that come my way. Life is always gonna be life, but then you develop a different type of strength when you’re not in survival mode.
When did you know ‘Born in the Wild’ was going to be a full-length album and not another EP? In a 2023 interview, you said you weren’t sure which way it was going to go amid some of those early recording sessions.
I don’t know the particular moment; I just woke up and realized that the things I’ve been working on are all seemingly coming together. I definitely was more intricate with each of the songs, and more critical of the songs. I had to remove myself from them as if I wasn’t making them. That way, I could see them objectively for what they were.
In terms of the process of actually creating the music, it has not changed. I still kind of approach it like, I’m going to make music today. I don’t know what’s gonna happen today, but I hope it’s something great.
Was there anything about the creative process that surprised you?
I’ve changed a lot from the person who started writing, like from the earliest song that was written until now. I literally learned how to trust the process. I used to say that all the time, but in my mind, I was like, I trust the process, I guess. I don’t know what that is, but it’s cool. I tried to rush it, but it just doesn’t work out when you do, no matter what.
So, I just did my best showing up every single day, taking it step by step, day by day. And that will frustrate you, but then I started learning to observe myself in frustration, like, Wow, okay. Why is this happening? Just allowing yourself to be is also part of trusting the process.
As Afrobeats continues to reach new heights, how can consumers and the industry do better at supporting African artistes so they don’t feel pigeonholed or confined to solely Afrobeats?
Every artiste has the power and ability to define themselves. Every artiste is in charge of how they view themselves. Some people call me R&B, some people call me alternative, and some people call me Afrobeats. When I’m making music, I am not thinking, Oh, because I released ‘Free Mind,’ all my songs must sound like ‘Free Mind’ or Because I did ‘Try Me Now,’ I have to stay there. Otherwise, who is going to consume my music?
I just kind of do my thing, which I feel every artiste should do as well. They should go hard and stand for themselves, and define who they are for themselves because the world can’t define who you are in any sector. Nobody outside of you can define you. You define yourself, and the world acts accordingly. They respond to your definition.
What did winning your first Grammy in 2023 mean to you? And what do you hope that 2024 unlocks for you?
Winning a Grammy for me feels like, Wow! I’m being seen. I feel seen, and I feel acknowledged. I also feel hopeful for other African artistes.
For 2024, I want to do my very best to present my art in the best way possible as I see the vision in my head. I’m not really thinking about what’s gonna come from that, but I just know I want to really do something different with ‘Born in the Wild.’ I’m really focused on doing that and having fun while I do that. It’s gonna be incredible. I can’t wait.
