Nigerian singer and songwriter, Temilade Openiyi popularly known as Tems has opened up about the struggles she faced at the beginning of her musical journey, revealing that she did not feel supported or taken seriously when she started.
Gatekeepers News reports that in an interview with CNN, the Grammy-winning artist reflected on the early challenges she encountered as a producer and singer. The 30-year-old star emphasised that staying true to herself has always been her top priority.
She said, “Authenticity is everything to me. That’s the one thing I cannot compromise on because that’s all I have — who I really am.”
Tems recounted that in the early stages of her career, she struggled to gain recognition and faced an environment that felt unsafe and unsupportive.
She added, “It was really hard to get people to take me seriously — not just as a producer, but as a singer, period. I didn’t feel safe, and I didn’t feel seen, and I didn’t feel supported for a very long time.”
Having now established herself as one of Africa’s most influential artists, Tems said she is using her platform to uplift others through her initiative, The Leading Vibe, which focuses on empowering women working behind the scenes in the music industry.
She said, “There are so many talented women who can be producers, managers, audio engineers — but they’re not even visible.”
“So, I want to make them visible and create a space where we can redefine the perspective of women in music. We’re definitely taking this beyond Nigeria. Actually, we’re going to Kenya next.”
“There are women everywhere who just need to feel seen. All they need is that platform, all they need is that chance, and I really believe it’s going to change the shape of the music industry for sure.”
Tems rose to international fame in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s global hit Essence. She won her first Grammy in 2023 for her contribution to Future’s Wait For U featuring Drake, and earned another Grammy in 2025 for Best African Performance.
