Entertainment
Tems: A Historic Grammy Contender.
Nigerian R&B star Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, is on the brink of making history at the 67th Grammy Awards. According to Billboard, she stands poised to become the first African artist to win two Grammys in a single night, with nominations in three prestigious categories.
Tems is nominated for Best African Music Performance for her track “Love Me Jeje,” Best Global Music Album for her debut album “Born In The Wild,” and Best R&B Song for “Burning.” The Grammy ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, February 2nd, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Billboard predicts that Tems will secure victories in at least two categories. “Love Me Jeje,” which samples Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit of the same name, is favored to win Best African Music Performance, competing against notable artists such as Yemi Alade, Asake & Wizkid, Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay, and Burna Boy. However, the competition remains fierce, with “Sensational” by Chris Brown and “Higher” by Burna Boy recognized as formidable contenders.
In the Best Global Music Album category, Tems is anticipated to win with “Born In The Wild,” facing competition from Matt B featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Ciro Hurtado, Rema, and Antonio Rey. Notably, Tems is the only previous Grammy winner in this category, which adds to her standing.
While Billboard acknowledges the strength of her competitors, particularly Antonio Rey’s “Historias De Un Flamenco,” the unpredictable nature of the Grammys means that surprises are always possible. The event will be hosted by South African comedian Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, with Beyoncé leading the nominations this year with an impressive eleven.
As the music industry eagerly awaits the outcome, Tems’ potential achievements represent a significant milestone for African artists on the global stage.
Afrobeats icon Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known globally as Wizkid, recently expressed his desire for improved governance in Nigeria and across the African continent. Speaking at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of his documentary, “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos,” the artist highlighted governance as a crucial area needing significant improvement.
Wizkid encouraged fellow African creatives to share their narratives, emphasizing his optimism for the continent despite existing challenges. He stated his hope for greater success for African culture as a whole, spanning music, film, and sports. Ultimately, Wizkid conveyed a message of positivity and support for all African artists, while underscoring the vital need for better governance to unlock the continent’s full potential.
Nigerian Afrobeat sensation Kizz Daniel has suggested he may be considering retirement from the music industry. The artist, known for hits such as “Buga” and “Cough (Odo),” recently released the EP “Lemon Chase” and is already teasing another, “Orange Chase.”
Daniel explained his prolific output by stating his desire to release a backlog of over 600 songs before “hanging his boots.” This announcement followed the reveal of guest artists on “Orange Chase,” prompting a fan comment about overfeeding, to which Kizz Daniel responded with his retirement hint.
Further fueling speculation, the singer declared a hiatus from recording to prioritize family time. He acknowledged neglecting his family due to studio commitments, stating a change in priorities towards a more balanced lifestyle. While the exact timeline remains unclear, these statements suggest a potential shift in Kizz Daniel’s career trajectory.
Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, known globally as Tems, was recognized at the inaugural Billboard Global Power Players Event held Wednesday at Shoreditch House in east London, England. Tems was among a select group of honorees, including British music icon Sir Elton John and EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami.
Tems received the Diamond Award, presented by incoming Billboard Africa editor Nkosiyati Khumalo. In her acceptance speech, the Oscar-nominated artist emphasized the significance of the recognition, stating, “Being African and a musician is a whole new world and I feel like Billboard has been so supportive of not just African music but the whole scene and the culture.” She further acknowledged Billboard’s crucial role in the advancement of African music, noting its unprecedented rise and Billboard’s contribution to “moving that needle forward.”
Sir Elton John was presented with the Creators’ Champion Award, while Ghazi Shami, head of EMPIRE, received the Clive Davis Visionary Award. Notably, Nigerian musician and YNBL label executive Olamide presented the award to Shami. The event also marked the launch of the first-ever U.K. Power Players chart.
This honor further solidifies Tems’ place as a leading figure in the global music landscape. She holds the distinction of being the most-awarded African artist in Billboard’s history. In the previous year, Tems achieved another milestone as the first Nigerian woman to be honored at the Billboard’s Women In Music Event. Her consistent recognition underscores her significant impact and growing influence within the international music industry.
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