TEMS at 30: 5 Moments That Prove She’s That Girl

When Tems whispered “you don’t need no other body,” who knew she was actually talking to the entire music industry? At 30, the Nigerian singer-songwriter has done more than just “make it”, she’s flipped the script on what global success looks like for a woman from Lagos with a mic, a mood, and a message.

Tems didn’t burst onto the scene with noise, she floated in, eyes low, vocals high, and now the world literally can’t stop calling her name. From Grammy stages to Oscar nods.

Here are 5 career-defining wins that remind us Tems isn’t just in the room, she is the room:

Grammy Winner

Let’s start strong. In 2023, Tems became the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, thanks to her velvet-smooth feature on Future’s “Wait For U” with Drake. Say what you want, but sharing a win with two of rap’s biggest names and still managing to outshine them? That’s not luck. That’s presence.

She Wrote for Beyoncé. You Can’t Make This Up.

Tems made it to the Queen’s table, literally. She co-wrote “Move” on Beyoncé’s Renaissance alongside Grace freaking Jones. Think about it: from Lagos traffic to the liner notes of a Beyoncé album. Some people dream of Ivy Park merch, Tems went straight to the pen game.

Billboard Breaker and Chart Queen

We all remember where we were when “Essence” hit the Billboard Hot 100, it was like the whole world finally caught the Tems wave. The track (with Wizkid) eventually hit No. 9, making it the first Nigerian song to crack the top 10. Then she topped it (literally) when “Wait For U” debuted at No. 1, making her the first African female artist to sit at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. Who else?

An Oscar Nomination? Yeah, She Did That Too

As if the Grammy wasn’t enough, Tems also co-wrote Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a song that got her an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination. Let that sink in: your fave’s fave got nominated for an Academy Award off a single writing credit. Say less.

Award Shows Stay Calling Her Name

BET? Won it. BRIT? In the bag. NAACP Image Award? She’s got that too. Tems is doing red carpets across continents and stacking wins like it’s light work. And the best part? No label gimmicks, no overexposure, just pure talent and vibes.

Tems doesn’t force the moment, she is the moment. Her interviews are minimal, her fashion is intentional, and her voice? always the loudest in the room, even when she’s whispering. As she steps into her 30s, one thing is clear: Tems is not just setting records, she’s setting the standard. If the past five years were the warm-up, then best believe the next chapter is going to be nothing short of iconic.