Nigeria’s star musician, Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, has won her second Grammy Award for ‘Best African Music Performance’, making Nigerians and the African continent proud.
The Nigerian singer garnered the award in the wee hours of Monday for her sunny hit song, “Love Me Jeje,” which samples the iconic 1997 single of the same title by Nigerian pop forebearer Seyi Sodimu.
Receiving the award in a gorgeous attire revealing her ebony black skin, Tem who rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence” said: “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage.” She also appreciated her managers and team for the feat.
The 29-year-old was also on the stage with her mother, who received a hearty shout-out from the audience.
At the Grammys, Tems was tipped as one of the favourites to win this year’s award and she came top in a category that included Burna Boy’s “Higher,” Asake and Wizkid’s “MMS,” Chris Brown’s “Sensational”, Davido and Lojay, and “Tomorrow” by OkayAfrica digital cover star Yemi Alade.
The latest laurel is Tems’ second Grammy win, following her Best Melodic Rap Performance win in 2023 for featuring on “WAIT FOR YOU,” the future song that also features Drake and heavily samples Tems’ “Higher.”
In the Best Global Music Album category, Tems and Rema lost out to American singer Matt B, who said his winning album Alkebulan II, was “created as a way of shining a light on Africa and the beautiful culture that [black people] from the diaspora come from.” The sequel to 2023’s Alkebulan, the Grammy-winning album was created in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and it fuses dance rhythms inspired by various forms of contemporary African pop with orchestral flourishes.
At the 2023 Grammys, Matt B’s “Gimme Love,” a bubbly single with renowned Ugandan artist Eddy Kenzo, was nominated for Best Global Music Performance. This win marks the Chicago-born artist’s first Grammy win.
Indeed the ‘Essence’ crooner, the song she voiced out along with Wizkid, has had a meteoric career and her career has been on the rise since 2020, showing to the young girls from Africa that they can indeed have their days in the sun when they believe in themselves and be courageous not to let go and showcase their talents.
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