Nigerian music star Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has once again etched her name in history with her second Grammy Award at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The 67th Grammy Awards carried immense significance, marking another year of recognizing musical excellence across various genres worldwide. With new categories such as Best African Music Performance, the Recording Academy continued its commitment to celebrating diverse sounds and cultures. For artists, winning a Grammy is a prestigious milestone that amplifies global visibility, opens doors to greater collaborations, and enshrines an artist’s legacy within the music industry.
The 29-year-old singer won the Best African Music Performance award for her hit single, Love Me JeJe, beating top contenders like Asake, Yemi Alade, Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay.
A Closer Look at “Love Me JeJe”
Originally inspired by Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 classic of the same name, Love Me JeJe has been a chart-topping sensation since its release. The song blends nostalgic elements with contemporary R&B and Afrobeats, creating a sound that connected with both old and new generations of music lovers.
- Reached No. 1 on the UK Afrobeats Chart.
- Peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs.
- Became a standout track from her album Born in the Wild.
- First performed at Coachella 2024, affirming her global appeal.
Tems’ Grammy Legacy
This victory follows her first Grammy win in 2023, where she bagged the Best Melodic Rap Performance for her feature on Future’s “Wait For U”, alongside Drake. That win marked her as the first Nigerian female artist to receive a Grammy, and now, with two awards, she has surpassed some of Nigeria’s biggest musical icons in Grammy wins.
Her journey to international stardom began in 2020 when she featured on Wizkid’s global hit, “Essence”, a song that became the first Afrobeats track to break into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 and earned a Grammy nomination. Her collaborations with Drake, Future, and Beyoncé have since reinforced her influence in the global music industry.
A Night to Remember – Tems’ Grammy Moment
When her name was announced as the winner, Tems gracefully took the stage, accompanied by her mother, who was celebrating her first-ever Grammy experience. In an emotional speech, she expressed gratitude to her team, fans, and most importantly, her mother:
Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team. Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammys. I just want to thank you, mum, because she’s really done a lot for me and my brother. To God be the glory, because honestly, He’s changed my life so much. Thank you so much, thank you God.
Fashion That Stole the Spotlight
Beyond her musical triumph, Tems made a striking fashion statement at the Grammy red carpet. Styled by her longtime collaborator Dunsin Wright, she stunned in a gold halter top, a flowing black maxi skirt with ruched detailing, a black headscarf, statement earrings, gloves, and a gold shawl. The look mirrored the Grammy trophy itself, symbolizing her readiness to embrace her well-deserved accolades.
Reactions from the Industry and Public Figures
Tems’ win sparked celebrations across Nigeria and the global music community. Prominent figures shared their admiration:
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu praised her, saying:
From Africa to Antarctica, Asia to Australia, Europe to the Americas, the Nigerian music industry, particularly Afrobeats, has become a source of national pride, promoting a sense of identity and self-expression while uniting people across borders.
Grammy-nominated producer SirBastien emphasized the impact of her win:
These Grammy awards are important because they reinforce Nigeria’s reputation as a leading force in music. This recognition attracts more investors and global interest.
Afrobeats singer Asha Gangali applauded Tems for breaking barriers:
What’s exceptional about this Grammy win is that Tems won in a category featuring Nigeria’s big three in Afrobeats—Burna Boy, Big Wiz, and Davido.
Tems journey is a beacon of hope for aspiring African artists, proving that authenticity, talent, and perseverance can break barriers and lead to international recognition.
