Tems is Nigeria’s most decorated female artist – and it’s because of one simple thing…

Now a 2x GRAMMY, 4x BET, and 2x AMA winner, Tems is breaking barriers for Female Nigerian artists worldwide. But what’s the main ingredient in her recipe for success?

In the early hours of the morning, Nigerian-born superstar, fashion icon, and national sweetheart Tems won the second GRAMMY of her illustrious career in the Best African Music Performance category for her song, “Love Me JeJe”.

Tems is no stranger to accolades. In seven years, she’s amassed 23 award wins and 28 nominations, including 4 BET awards, an NAACP Image Award, a BMI London Award, two awards at The Headies, and of course, two GRAMMYs.

I’ve proudly followed her journey since 2019, witnessing her rise from a promising alternative act to a global force. I still remember seeing her perform at a softly lit outdoor show at “The Atmosphere Rooftop” with my friend Christina Ifubaraboye in December 2019. As we belted out the lyrics to “Looku Looku” at the top of our lungs, something deep inside me just knew — she was different. 

Tems’ secret ingredient

Image Credit: Tems via @Temsbaby on Instagram

What I admire the most about Tems is her unwavering authenticity. She has never moulded herself to fit the mainstream Afrobeats sound or softened her voice to align with conventional expectations of femininity in music. Instead, she has remained fearlessly true to her craft, carving out a space that’s entirely her own. Her voice is powerful — rich, resonant, and commanding — demanding attention with every note. It’s this refusal to conform, this audacity to be her, that makes her artistry so compelling. And I think this is the main ingredient in her recipe for success. 

I am someone who deeply admires authenticity — who isn’t afraid to take up space, stand firm, and say, “This is me. Here I am”. There’s a certain power in owning oneself fully, and Tems embodies that same fearlessness with ease. She moves through her artistry with an undeniable presence, unapologetically herself in every note, every lyric, and every performance. It’s a quality that resonates with me, and a reminder that true impact comes from embracing who you are, without compromise.

2x Grammy award winner Tems in front of a mirror as she prepares to attend a Jacqemus show in Paris.

Image Credit: Tems via @Temsbaby on Instagram

So today, I raise a glass to an artist who reflects the very essence of authenticity and impact — an artist just like myself. A global sensation. An enthusiastic performer. A trailblazing icon. A woman who has carved her name in history as the first Nigerian artist to win Best African Music Performance at the GRAMMYs, the first Nigerian female artist to claim that honour, the most-awarded Nigerian artist in the GRAMMYs history.  She is also the first female Nigerian artist to hold two GRAMMYs to her name. 

Tems, you are a legacy in motion, and I am thrilled to witness you in my lifetime.

Author

  • The Siren of the South, Denise is Social Editor at Marie Claire Nigeria. An astrologer, singer, and tarot reader, she is passionate, spirited, and vivacious. Denise enjoys sitting by the ocean, and can often be found dancing to music only she seems to hear, laughing at out-of-pocket posts, or speaking to plants.

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