Tems Wins Big at 2025 Grammys, Cementing Her Place in African Music History

Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has once again made history by winning the Best African Music Performance category at the 67th Grammy Awards with her hit song Love Me JeJe.

The award ceremony took place on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, marking the 22nd consecutive year at the venue.

Hosted by South African comedian Trevor Noah for the fifth time, the event was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

This win marks Tems’ second Grammy Award, further solidifying her influence in the global music scene.

She triumphed over strong competition, including Tomorrow by Yemi Alade, MMS by Asake featuring Wizkid, Sensational by Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, and Higher by Burna Boy.

Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Tems’ journey to success is a story of resilience and determination.

Before fame, she studied economics at Monash University in Johannesburg, South Africa, and worked in corporate marketing.

However, feeling unfulfilled, she quit her job in 2018 to pursue music full-time.

Determined to create her own sound, Tems taught herself music production through YouTube tutorials. She wrote her first official song at 17 and later released her debut single, Mr Rebel, in 2018.

Her big break came in 2020 when she collaborated with Wizkid on Essence, a song that gained global recognition and earned her multiple awards.

Over the years, Tems has continued to push boundaries.

Her debut EP, For Broken Ears, and album, Born in the Wild, showcased her unique voice and artistry.

This year, she received three Grammy nominations, including Best Global Music Album (Born in the Wild) and Best R&B Song (Burning), bringing her career total to eight nominations.

Her latest Grammy win is not just a personal victory but a testament to the growing impact of African music on the world stage.

As the second-ever recipient of the Best African Music Performance category, after South Africa’s Tyla won in 2024, Tems has once again put Nigeria in the spotlight.

Her journey from a young girl in Lagos to a Grammy-winning artist proves that dreams, when nurtured with hard work and passion, can lead to global success