Tems Biography, Career, Early Life, Education, Net Worth,Age 2025

Tems Biography – Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer born on June 11, 1995. At just 30 years old in 2025, she has become one of the most recognized voices in modern African music. Her deep, soulful tone and honest lyrics have earned her a Grammy Award, an Oscar nomination, and billions of streams worldwide. She started making music in her bedroom in Lagos and is now celebrated for songs like “Essence” with Wizkid, “Wait for U” with Future and Drake, and “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This biography tells her real story in a simple and clear way.

Early Life

Temilade Openiyi was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on June 11, 1995. Her mother is Nigerian and her father is British-Nigerian. When she was five years old, her parents separated, and she moved back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom with her mother and younger brother Tunji. They lived in different parts of Lagos including Ilupeju and Lekki. Money was tight. Her mother worked as a doctor in a school clinic to support the family and pay school fees.

Tems attended Dowen College, a private secondary school in Lekki. Growing up, she was quiet and described herself as a “razz” (rough-around-the-edges) child. She found comfort in music through the church choir where her mother sang. At home, her mother only allowed Christian music, so artists like Kirk Franklin and CeCe Winans were her first influences.

Education

After secondary school, Tems studied Economics at Monash University in Johannesburg, South Africa. She graduated in 2016. While in university, she began to explore secular music secretly. She listened to Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, and Asa. These artists shaped her love for R&B and soul. Even though she had a degree and a stable job waiting for her, music was always calling her.

Career

Tems started her music journey in 2018. She quit her job as a digital marketer in Lagos after feeling a strong spiritual push to follow her talent. That same year, she released her first single “Mr Rebel”, a song she wrote and produced herself. In 2019, she dropped “Try Me”, and the song became a huge hit in Nigeria with over 12 million streams in months.

In September 2020, she released her first EP titled For Broken Ears. The project showed her raw emotion and unique voice. One year later, in 2021, her second EP If Orange Was a Place came out. The song “Crazy Tings” and her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” (remixed with Justin Bieber) took her to the world stage. “Essence” reached number 9 on the US Billboard Hot 100, a first for a Nigerian female artist.

In 2022, she won her first Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance on Future’s “Wait for U”. In 2023, she co-wrote and performed “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, earning an Oscar nomination. Her debut album Born in the Wild was released in June 2024 under RCA Records and her own label Leading Vibe Ltd. The album has 18 songs and mixes Afrobeats, R&B, and soul. In 2025, she became a part-owner of San Diego FC, the first African female artist to own shares in a Major League Soccer team.

Personal Life

Tems keeps her private life very quiet. As of 2025, she is not married and has no children. In interviews, she has said she is waiting for the right person and real love before marriage. She once shared that she values emotional connection more than anything else. She is close to her mother and brother Tunji, who is also a music producer and helped her learn guitar. Tems is Christian and often speaks about faith guiding her decisions. She loves simple things like eating rice and plantain and enjoys spending time alone to recharge.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Tems’ net worth is estimated between $3 million and $5 million. Her income comes from music streaming, live performances, brand deals, and songwriting royalties. Major earnings include:

Billions of streams from “Essence” and “Wait for U”

Sold-out world tours

Endorsements with brands like Pandora and luxury fashion houses

Real estate in Lagos and investments including her stake in San Diego FC

She owns a mansion in Lagos, a Range Rover, and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

Controversies

Tems has stayed away from major scandals. The few public moments include:

In 2020, she was detained in Uganda with Omah Lay after performing at a concert during COVID restrictions. They were later released and cleared of charges.

In 2021, she turned down a feature request from a popular Nigerian artist because the money offered was too small. Some fans called her proud, but she explained that she values her work.

Fashion choices at award shows sometimes spark online debates, but she always responds with humor and confidence.

Overall, she is known for staying calm and focusing on her music instead of drama.

Legacy

At only 30 years old, Tems has already changed African music. She opened doors for female artists in the alté and Afrobeats space. Before her, very few Nigerian women reached the Billboard Hot 100 or won Grammys. She proved that independent artists can succeed without big labels at the start. Young women across Africa now see her as proof that a deep voice, honest lyrics, and patience can take you to the top. Her music about healing, self-love, and strength continues to help millions of listeners worldwide.

Conclusion

From a shy girl singing in a Lagos church choir to a Grammy-winning global star, Tems’ story is about faith, hard work, and staying true to yourself. She shows that talent plus courage can change everything. Whether she is writing a heartbreak song or performing for thousands, her voice carries power and truth. The future is bright, and the world is still waiting to hear more from Temilade Openiyi.

FAQs

What is Tems’ real name?

Temilade Openiyi

How old is Tems in 2025?

She is 30 years old (born June 11, 1995)

Where is Tems from?

Lagos, Nigeria

Is Tems married?

No, she is single as of 2025

What was Tems’ first hit song?

“Try Me” released in 2019

Has Tems won a Grammy?

Yes, she won in 2023 for “Wait for U”

What genre of music does Tems make?

She blends alternative R&B, soul, and Afrobeats

What is Tems’ debut album called?

Born in the Wild (released June 2024)

How did Tems become famous?

Her 2019 single “Try Me” went viral, and her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” in 2021 made her a global name

Does Tems have children?

No