Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, has shared the bold and spiritual journey behind her decision to leave a career in digital marketing to pursue music full-time.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Tems reflected on the pivotal moment in 2018 when she felt deeply compelled to follow her true calling. She described the choice as a leap of faith rooted in spiritual conviction.
“It reached a point where I just couldn’t continue. I realized it was now or never,” she said. “I kept postponing it until I fully believed that God would guide me wherever I went.”
Tems revealed that she quit her job in January 2018 and waited nearly half a year before releasing her debut single “Mr Rebel”, which eventually brought her early recognition in the music industry.
“I knew deep down that digital marketing wasn’t meant for me,” she explained. “It truly felt like a life-or-death decision — one that could determine the course of my destiny.”
Her career skyrocketed in 2020 after she featured on Wizkid’s international hit “Essence”, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2022, Tems made history as the first African artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard chart with Future’s “Wait For U”, which also featured Drake and later earned her a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
This year, she added another Grammy to her accolades with her track “Love Me Jeje”, which won Best African Music Performance.