Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer
Tems has recounted how she struggled financially to provide for her family before becoming successful.
In an interview with GQ, Tems revealed that she didn’t become successful overnight. She stated that year before she released her hit song “Mr Rebel”, she was living alone and struggling financially.
The singer said she was putting pressure on herself to help provide for her family, which was difficult without the security of a stable job.
Tems revealed that at some point, she was broke, helpless, and also stole food. She said;
“I couldn’t take care of anybody.
“There were times when I was not just broke – I was broke and hopeless. I used to steal food. I used to go to my aunty’s house just so she could give me food to take home.
“I just felt like, What is the point of me existing right now? You have to remember those times. Because that person does not exist anymore.”
The singer further revealed that before getting into the limelight, she had to change her state of mind.
Tems added;
“The decision I made was to not wallow in sadness. This person that can never be anything.
“I didn’t have any self-esteem. I didn’t think I was pretty. I didn’t even think of my voice as anything. I just thought, There are so many people that can sing, I’m not a model, I don’t dance, but whatever chance I have, I’ll take it. Even if I end up singing under a bridge somewhere, I’ll be the best under-the-bridge singer ever.”
Temilade Openiyi was born on 11 June 1995 in Lagos, Nigeria. In July 2022, Tems was announced as a guest artist on Beyoncé’s album Renaissance and covered Bob Marley‘s No Woman, No Cry for the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. On July 26, Tems gained her fourth Hot 100 with her song “Free Mind” from For Broken Ears debuted on the chart.
Born to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father, her family moved to the United Kingdom shortly after birth. Her parents divorced when she was five. Tems relocated to Nigeria with her mother and brother, they resided in Ilupeju before moving to Lekkithen Ajah.
Tems attended Dowen College before proceeding to study Economics in Monash South Africa, South Africa for her tertiary education.
At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and learned to play the piano. She practised singing with her brother and often used his guitar accompaniment.
