Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems was born on the 11th of July, 1995, in Lagos, into a family of a Nigerian mum and British father. Her father left her mum when she was 5, so she was raised by her single mum. After her primary education which she did in Lagos, she attended Dowen College in Lekki. She later moved to Johannesburg to study Economics in a South African university. Tems grew up in a simple family, she discovered her music talent after she joined a local choir. She took the basic steps in becoming a wonderful musician during her childhood days, she recorded songs with her school choir and practiced with her brother’s guitar.
The alternative singer’s journey into the music industry began when she was 20. She released her first EP, “Time Swap EP” in 2013. Her first recognized single, “Mr. Rebel”, a song that got more than 200,000 views on youtube came after her album “Illumination” in 2018. She followed it up with another single, titled “Looku Looku” a song that was widely accepted and Nigerian radio stations gave it enough air-plays. She measured up with another hit single, “Try me”, and solidified her name in the hall of fame. Try me by Tems was released in August 2019 and has gained more than 2 million views on Youtube alone.
In 2021, she was featured on Drake's track "Fountains" as well as a new mix of WizKid's "Essence" that also featured Justin Beiber. Along with Drake, Tems was featured on Future's 2022 single "Wait for U," which reached number one in the U.S. and later picked up a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. She also made appearances on Beyoncé's Renaissance and the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. "Me & U," an amapiano-influenced single interpolating an unreleased Drake song, was issued in 2023.
On 31 March 2022, Apple Music 1 Launched Leading Vibe Radio Show With Tems. On 2 April, its first episode features an appearance from Muyiwa Awoniyi, and Tunji Balogun.
n March 2024, Tems became the first African singer to be awarded a Billboard Women in Music Award in which she received under the Breakthrough category. Tems debut studio album Born in the Wild is scheduled for release on 7 June and will be supported by a world tour. The lead single "Love Me JeJe" off the album was announced and previewed on Tems debut Coachella set and was released on 25 April. Throughout her career, Tems has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, three BET Awards and three Soul Train Music Awards.