Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems celebrates her 31st birthday today, with fans across the world reflecting on the remarkable journey that transformed her from a young girl with a passion for music into one of Africa’s biggest global stars.
Born Temilade Openiyi on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, Tems has become one of the most influential voices in contemporary music.
Since breaking into the spotlight with songs such as Mr Rebel and Try Me, the singer-songwriter has achieved international success, earning Grammy Awards, an Oscar nomination, a No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit, and collaborations with global superstars including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake, and Wizkid.
As she marks another year, here are five interesting facts many people may not know about the award-winning artiste:
1. She Spent Part of Her Childhood in the United Kingdom:
Although Tems was born in Lagos, she briefly lived in the United Kingdom during her early years. She was born to a British-Nigerian father and a Nigerian mother.
Following her parents’ separation, she returned to Nigeria with her mother and grew up primarily in Lagos, living in areas such as Ilupeju, Lekki Phase 1, and Ajah.
2. Celine Dion Played a Major Role in Inspiring Her Love for Music:
Tems has often spoken about how Canadian music icon Celine Dion influenced her musical journey. In a conversation with rapper Kendrick Lamar for Interview Magazine, she revealed that listening to Dion’s emotional songs on the radio as a child sparked her interest in music.
According to Tems, Celine Dion’s powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics resonated deeply with her, helping ignite her passion for singing and songwriting.
3. Being Introverted Helped Her Develop Her Musical Talent:
Growing up, Tems described herself as shy and reserved. Because she kept a small circle of friends, she often spent time alone and found comfort in music.
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During an interview with content creator Korty EO, she explained that solitude allowed her to connect more deeply with her creativity and eventually helped shape her artistic identity.
4. A Teacher Helped Her Embrace Her Unique Voice:
Before becoming a global star, Tems struggled with her confidence because she was often teased for her deep voice. However, one of her high school music teachers recognised her talent and encouraged her to embrace her uniqueness.
That support proved to be life-changing, helping her realise that her distinctive voice was not a weakness but one of her greatest strengths.
5. She Wrote Her First Complete Song at 17:
While Tems began writing lyrics and experimenting with music as early as nine or ten years old, she revealed that she did not write her first full song until she was 17.
The singer shared that the song was inspired by the music popular during the early 2010s and centred on a simple Sunday morning experience. That early songwriting effort would eventually become the foundation of an extraordinary career.
Today, Tems stands as one of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports, inspiring millions around the world with her unique sound, authenticity, and groundbreaking achievements.
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