Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has secured her second Grammy Award and first solo Grammy, winning the Best African Music Performance category at the 67th Grammy Awards. The prestigious event was held on Sunday, February 4, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Tems clinched the award with her hit single “Love Me Jeje,” which was inspired by and samples the classic 1997 song of the same name by Nigerian artist Seyi Sodimu. This win further solidifies Tems’ status as one of the most influential African artists on the global stage.
A Competitive Category Dominated by Afrobeats
The Best African Music Performance category, introduced in 2024, has become a highly coveted award, celebrating the diversity and influence of African music worldwide. Tems’ victory was particularly significant, as she overcame stiff competition from some of the biggest names in African music:
- Burna Boy – “Higher”
- Asake & Wizkid – “MMS”
- Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay – “Sensational”
- Yemi Alade – “Tomorrow”
Notably, all nominated songs featured Nigerian artists, further proving the country’s dominance in the global Afrobeats movement. Chris Brown was the only non-African artist in the category, underscoring how much Afrobeats has transcended international boundaries.
Tems’ Emotional Acceptance Speech: A Tribute to Her Mother
As she walked up to the Grammy stage to accept her award, an emotional Tems expressed deep gratitude to God, her mother, and her team in a heartfelt speech:
“Wow, dear God. Thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me to this team. Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammys. I want to thank you, mum, because she’s done a lot for me and my brother. I want to thank my team—Muyiwa, Wale, my beautiful stylist, and lovely girls… I love you guys. To God be the glory. Honestly, He has changed my life so much. Thank you so much.”
Tems’ mother, who was present in the audience, was visibly emotional as she watched her daughter receive one of the most prestigious awards in global music.
This moment was particularly significant because it was the first time Tems accepted a Grammy Award alone on stage. In 2023, she won Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future’s “Wait for U” featuring Drake, but the spotlight was entirely on her this time.
The Evolution of Tems: From Breakthrough to Global Superstar
Tems’ Grammy journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Her rise to international stardom began with her 2020 collaboration with Wizkid on the global hit “Essence.” The song became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling Tems into the international music scene.
In 2023, she won her first Grammy for her work on “Wait for U”, a song by Future and Drake that heavily sampled her song “Higher”. That win made her the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, but it was a collaborative award.
Now, with her first solo Grammy, Tems becomes the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy as a lead artist, marking yet another historic milestone in her career.
Read: Nigerian Nominees at the 67th Grammy Awards and Their Winning Prospects
How Other Nigerian Artists Fared at the 2025 Grammys
Tems was not the only Nigerian artist nominated at the 67th Grammy Awards. Several Afrobeats stars were up for awards, highlighting the genre’s continued dominance on the global stage:
- Burna Boy, nominated in multiple categories, including Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album, lost out on both.
- Rema and Tems both lost Best Global Music Album to American artist Matt B, who won with his album Alkebulan II, a project inspired by African culture.
- Asake & Wizkid, despite being strong contenders with their hit “MMS,” lost in their category to Tems’ “Love Me Jeje.”
While some Nigerian nominees missed out on awards, the presence of multiple Afrobeats artists at the Grammys highlights the genre’s growing impact.
Afrobeats and the Grammys: What This Means for the Genre
Tems’ win at the 67th Grammy Awards is another significant milestone for Afrobeats, reinforcing its global appeal and influence. Over the last decade, Afrobeats has evolved from being a niche African sound to dominating international charts, festival lineups, and major award shows.
With the Best African Music Performance category now officially a part of the Grammys, there is a greater opportunity for African artists to be recognised on a global scale. This is a significant shift from previous years when African artists had to compete in the Best Global Music category, often including a mix of different world music styles.
Tems’ solo win sets a precedent for other Nigerian and African female artists, proving that African music is no longer just about collaborations with Western artists—it can stand on its own and win big.
What’s Next for Tems?
With this Grammy win, Tems has become one of the most important voices in contemporary African music. Her debut album “Born in the Wild“, released in late 2024, has already received critical acclaim and commercial success.
Fans are now eagerly anticipating:
- New music: Will she release another single or announce a deluxe version of Born in the Wild?
- More international collaborations: After working with Drake, Future, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, who will she collaborate with next?
- A world tour: With a Grammy win in hand, a global tour could be on the horizon.
A Win for African Music
Tems’ historic win is a victory for her and the entire Afrobeats movement. As the genre continues breaking records and reaching new audiences, the world is paying closer attention to the rich and diverse sounds from Africa.
With artists like Tems, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, and Davido leading the charge, the future of Afrobeats has never been brighter.
What do you think about Tems’ Grammy win? Do you see Afrobeats dominating the global music industry in the coming years? Let’s discuss it!
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