COOL AS TEMS

This Oscar-worthy muso showed us regal and poised on the red carpet, but Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has a fire for music that channels the chaotic spirit of Lagos

- SAADIQAH SCHROEDER

Remember that pillowy, stark-white flowing drape floating down the 2023 Oscars red carpet, blocking the view of the stage for many celebrities? Was it a fairy? Or an angel? No, it was one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter Tems.

Temilade Tems' Openiyi has amassed a following of five million on Instagram (Adele and former US President Barack Obama are fans). Not to mention a heap of awards, including a Grammy for 'Wait For U' (her collaboration with Future and Drake), multiple awards for 'Essence' (her collaboration with Wizkid and later reworked with Justin Bieber), and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for co-writing Rihanna's song 'Lift Me Up' from Marvel's Wakanda Forever, making her the first Oscar-nominated Nigerian.

By far her most noteworthy collaboration has been 'Move', with music goddesses Beyoncé and Grace Jones - "three black women, across three generations, from Nigeria, the American South and Jamaica", as GQ magazine put it.

Tems says she never imagined her voice would be heard in the same song as these legends. "If someone had told my younger self, listening to Destiny's Child, that one day you're going to have a song with one of them, I would just be confused," she told the magazine.

Nigerians were the first to revel in Tems' tracks, with her debut EP, For Broken Ears, earning her a prominent place in the country's 'alté' scene (a blend of the fashion and alternative music subcultures). But Tems has grown to be recognised - and loved by international artists like Alicia Keys, SZA and Chris Brown. "I'm living in surprise - I just wake up and get surprised every day!" she exclaims.