Tems, the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, has explained what inspired her to pursue a career in music.
The vocalist stated that she began composing music because she didn’t have friends.
Tems stated that music is her method of expressing herself and connecting with others.
“I am an original. Also, I am just all about being truthful to myself. My music is for people that relate to it. My music is coming from me. My music is my outlet. I started making music because I did not have friends. I needed something to say. I had something to say and I did not have anyone to say it to so I will just sing it,” she said.
“I will write it in a song. I will record it on my phone. And I was doing that for years. Whether anybody listens to it or not, I have to release it. Whether it does well, whether it does not do well, it is none of my business. And it is for the people that can connect to it – That are going through the same thing,” she revealed.
Also, Tems asserted that her only competition in music is herself.
According to her, nobody can compete with her musically.
“I’m competitive within myself but I’m not competitive with other artists. Nobody can compete with me,” she said.
Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, rose to international prominence in 2020 as a result of her collaboration with Wizkid on the song “Essence,” a song that ascended to the ninth spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following a remix featuring Justin Bieber.
She subsequently became a fan favorite in the Nigerian music business, winning numerous prizes and accolades.
The singer received her first Grammy trophy in February 2023. She won the award for ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ for her role in Future’s 2022 hit song ‘Wait for U,’ which included Drake.
Tems recently released ‘Me & U,’ a song she penned while having a conversation with God.
Tems hinted at joining the movie industry in the future.
The Oscar-nominated diva, Tems, who was raised by a single mother in Lagos, disclosed that she would love to play single-mum roles in movies.
“I’m ready to act in movies. Not ready right now but I’m already good at acting. The first character I would love to play is a single mum. It doesn’t need to be struggling. It could be like a fun single mum or a single mum that has mysteries. A gangster,” she said.
Tems has now joined the likes of Davido, Wizkid, and Mr. Eazi, who have also spoken about joining the movie industry in the past though not as actors but as executives.
Criticisms Over Boastful Industry Comment
Tems ignited a storm of criticism with her recent claim that no one can rival her in the music industry.
However, her bold assertion did not go unnoticed by Nigerian social media users, who swiftly reacted to her statement.
In her own words, “I am in competition with myself alone; nobody can compete with me. I am the best in the game,” she stated.
Many cautioned her to be mindful of her words, as they could potentially pit her against fellow musicians in the industry.
Notably, some established artists in Nigeria, including Dare Art Alade, deemed her statement an exaggeration.
Dare commented that she would need to soar above the heads of other artists to assume the position she claims.
However, this statement did not sit well with some of her fans, who expressed their concern over her bold claim.
A notable comparison has arisen, particularly with another high-flying female music star, Ayra Star.
Fans of both artists have engaged in debates and discussions, asserting that Tems might not be superior to Ayra Star in the music industry.
The comments and warnings from her own fan base have added an interesting layer to the ongoing discussion sparked by Tems’ statement.
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