By Tems Wins at 67th Grammys, Becomes Nigeria’s Most Awarded Artist
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, has clinched the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday.
This achievement was awarded for her hit single “Love Me JeJe,” a track that blends contemporary Afrobeats with nostalgic elements, paying homage to Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic of the same name.
In her acceptance speech, Tems expressed gratitude, stating, “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team.”
She dedicated the award to her mother, highlighting the personal significance of this achievement.
At 29, Tems has now secured two Grammy Awards, surpassing other Nigerian artists in this regard.
Her first Grammy win came in 2023 for Best Melodic Rap Performance with the song “Wait For U,” a collaboration with American hip-hop artists Future and Drake.
“Love Me JeJe,” released on April 26, 2024, serves as the second single from her debut studio album, “Born in the Wild.” The song has achieved significant commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Afrobeats Chart and No. 3 on Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs chart.
Tems debuted the track during her 2024 Coachella set, bridging past African pop icons with contemporary global sounds.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards also featured nominations of other prominent Nigerian artists, including Asake, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Davido, and Rema, showing the growing global influence of Nigerian music.
Tems’ talent continues to receive international recognition, with her album “Born in the Wild” nominated for Best Global Music Album, competing against international stars like Matt B and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tems’ remarkable achievements shows her exceptional talent and significant contribution to the global music industry, solidifying her status as a leading figure in African music.
