Nigerian singer Tems has won her first individual Grammy Award at the 2025 edition of the global ceremony.
She clinched the award for Best African Music Performance with her hit single Love Me Jeje, beating competitors like Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Davido, Asake, Yemi Alade, and others.
In her acceptance speech, Tems expressed gratitude, saying:
“Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and giving me this team.”
She also shared an emotional moment, adding:
“Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first time attending the Grammys. I just want to thank you, mum, because you have done so much for me and my brother.”
Tems’ Journey to Grammy Success
Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer. She began her music journey as a teenager, training with her music teacher, Mr. Sosan, at Dowen College, Lagos, in 2011.
Born to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father, Tems spent her first four years in the UK before her parents divorced. Her mother then returned to Nigeria, raising Tems and her brother in a small apartment in Badagry, Lagos.
After earning a BSc in Economics from Monash University, Johannesburg, Tems worked as a digital marketer in Lagos before quitting her job in 2018 to pursue music full-time. She released her debut single Mr Rebel that year but gained widespread fame in 2020 following her collaboration with Wizkid on Essence.
Since then, she has received numerous local and international recognitions. Her latest hit, Love Me Jeje, is one of the standout tracks from her 2024 album, Born In The Wild.
This marks Tems’ second Grammy win. In 2023, she won her first Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for Wait For You, featuring Drake, at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
2025 Grammy Nominations
Tems had an impressive eight nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards. In addition to winning Best African Music Performance, she was also nominated for:
- Best R&B Song – Burning
- Best Global Music Album – Born In The Wild
At 29 years old, Tems continues to make history and inspire Nigerian artists globally.
Reactions to Her Win
Several Nigerians celebrated Tems’ victory, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who described it as a major achievement for Nigerian youth, especially in entertainment.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tems, for securing her second Grammy Award in the Best African Music Performance category,” he said.
Fellow nominees Davido and Yemi Alade also congratulated her:
- “Congratulations to the winner @temsbaby,” Yemi Alade wrote.
- “Congrats Queen!” Davido posted on Instagram.
Best African Music Performance – 2025 Nominees
This is the second year since the Grammys introduced this category. Last year, Tyla won with her song Water.
Winner: Tems – Love Me Jeje
Other nominees:
- Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
- Asake & Wizkid – MMS
- Chris Brown ft Davido & Lojay – Sensational
- Burna Boy – Higher
