Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, was once a young girl from Lagos, Nigeria, with dreams too big for most caring Nigerian parents to accommodate or sponsor. She was raised to work a 9-5 job but quit her corporate job in 2018 to focus solely on music. Today, she is one of Nigeria’s biggest entertainment exports.
Tems broke into the limelight in 2019 with “Try Me,” captivating audiences with her unique sound, soulful voice, and exceptional songwriting, despite it being a departure from the typical Nigerian sound. Shortly after her debut EP in 2020, Wizkid featured her on “Essence,” a track that gained international acclaim and introduced Tems to the global stage.
Her sound appealed more to international audiences, leading her to dominate while quickly shedding her introverted shell. Her powerful voice earned her a feature on Future’s hit song “Wait For U,” which also featured Drake. Tems’ first Grammy win came for “Wait For U,” though she had been nominated before.
After being diagnosed with reflux laryngitis, Tems took a mandatory break from music and performance to fully heal. She made a comeback with “Me & U,” a song now featured on her debut album, “Born in the Wild.” Tems displayed her versatility and range by curating a medley of genres from Afro, R&B, soul, and even rap across the album’s 18 tracks.
“Born in the Wild” reflects the hunger of a girl who had to pave her own way, given that many did not understand her music in her home country. The album speaks of surviving Nigerian society, evident in tracks like “Wickedest,” “Burning,” “Ready,” and the album opener titled after the album itself. “Me & U” explores finding inner peace, while “Love Me JeJe,” the last lead single, is a soft love song that interpolates Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit of the same title.
“Ready” captures the powerful moment of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, embracing challenges, and committing to personal growth. It conveys the courage to face obstacles head-on, even through tears or anger, moving forward with unwavering determination.
In “Boy O Boy” and “Turn Me Up,” Tems expresses her frustration with a love interest who consistently disappoints, while asserting her capabilities. “Unfortunate” reflects on how losing certain ‘special’ people can be a blessing in disguise. Channeling Michael Jackson’s style in “Forever,” Tems sings about life after a breakup.
“Gangsta” features a beautiful interpolation of Diana King’s “L-L-Lies” and discusses the demands of stardom and public scrutiny. The amapiano spin on “Get It Right” featuring Asake describes her expectations from a relationship. Asake complements Tems’ verse with a spectacular street-ready performance.
“Free Fall,” featuring J.Cole, addresses the strain and friction caused by lovers’ obliviousness to each other’s flaws. J.Cole’s impeccable verse seamlessly complements Tems’.
In “T-Unit,” Tems showcases her rap skills, boasting about her unmatched status among peers. The album closes with “You In My Face” and “Hold On,” where Tems describes what it takes to carve one’s path through uncharted places and survive the harsh realities of being one of the few swimming against the tide. The mellow “You In My Face” transitions beautifully into the uptempo “Hold On,” providing a fitting end to the album.
