Tems Credits Wizkid’s Collaboration for Global Breakthrough
Nigerian songstress Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, has opened up on how her collaboration with Afrobeats superstar Wizkid catapulted her to international recognition.
According to a report by Naijawebinfo, Tems, 29, revealed in an exclusive interview with Big Boy TV that she was flooded with messages from prominent international artists within just three days of releasing the hit song “Essence” with Wizkid.
Beyoncé’s team was the first to reach out, followed by direct messages from Drake and Rihanna. Tems was taken aback by the sudden attention, saying she felt like she was dreaming or being pranked.
“I never imagined becoming this big. We did ‘Essence’, and I started getting messages. In 2020, Beyoncé’s team reached out, and I was like, ‘What’s going on?'” Tems recalled. “And then I got DMs from people I looked up to, like Rihanna and Drake. They are people who have had a significant impact on the industry for over a decade. It felt surreal, like I was in a dream or being pranked.”
In a separate interview, Tems shared her concerns about her celebrity status in Nigeria. According to Naijawebinfo, she revealed that her notoriety sometimes makes it difficult for her to move around without receiving unwanted attention in Nigeria. She recalled an incident last December where she was nearly mobbed while driving in Lagos, a situation that has led her to rely on police escorts to ensure her safety.
