In a candid conversation with American rap icon Kendrick Lamar, Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, revealed the profound journey she undertook when she decided to step away from the Afrobeat genre to pursue her passion for R&B. This groundbreaking revelation sheds light on her unwavering self-belief and her determination to use music as a means to convey her messages.
Tems, celebrated for her hit single “Essence” with Wizkid, has taken the music world by storm with her distinctive sound and enchanting voice. But what many may not know is that her path to success involved a daring leap of faith into the world of R&B, a genre not as prevalent in her home country of Nigeria.
In her interview with Kendrick Lamar, published in the latest volume of Interview Magazine, Tems shared her motivation for making this artistic transition. She explained that she was fully prepared to face the potential consequences of leaving behind the popular Afrobeat genre, which has a massive following both in Nigeria and internationally.
Tems said, “I was prepared to die. I believed in myself so much that I didn’t really care if I never became anything or anyone. I just wanted to get a message out. I wanted to get my frequency out. And I was like, ‘Even if ten people hear this, it’s fine.’ But also along the way, I used to listen to a lot of Nigerian music and I wasn’t getting a lot of spiritual—I love Celine Dion, so, I love that intense feeling of, I’m about to jump off a cliff. That’s how I want my music to feel all the time, and Afrobeats wasn’t necessarily giving me that type of stimulation.”
Tems’s artistic journey stands as a testament to the power of self-belief, courage, and a relentless pursuit of one’s creative vision. She has carved a unique niche for herself in the music industry, captivating audiences worldwide with her soulful R&B sound. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists everywhere, encouraging them to fearlessly follow their hearts and create music that speaks to their souls, no matter the odds or expectations.
