October 31, (THEWILL) – Grammy award-winning singer, Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, has revealed what prompted her venture into making music.
Tems shared that she delved into music because, in her own words, “I did not have friends.”
When asked how she’d react if her music, which she believes is great, doesn’t receive acclaim from fans, Tems emphasised that she doesn’t view music as a competition with fellow artists.
Her focus is on self-competition, expressing that nobody can rival her in that arena.
“Nobody can compete with me. I am an original. Also, I am just all about being truthful to myself. My music is for people that relate to it. My music is coming from me.
“My music is my outlet. I started making music because I did not have friends. I needed something to say. I had something to say and I did not have anyone to say it to so I will just sing it,” she said.
“I will write it in a song. I will record it on my phone. And I was doing that for years. Whether anybody listens to it or not, I have to release it. Whether it does well, whether it does not do well, it is none of my business. And it is for the people that can connect to it – That are going through the same thing.”
The thought of being an Oscars nominee has never crossed her mind. For Tems, the dream is simple: to serenade people in a lounge.
“I’ve never thought of accolades. I just want to get my song out there before I die.”, she added.
In 2020, Tems soared to global recognition through her collaboration with Wizkid on the track ‘Essence.’ Since then, she has solidified her position as a beloved figure in the Nigerian music scene, garnering numerous awards and accolades.
In February, the songstress clinched her inaugural Grammy award, securing victory in the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category for her contribution to ‘Wait for U’, the 2022 hit collaboration between Future and Drake.
