Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, known for her soulful voice and chart-topping hits, has shared the story behind her decision to leave a stable career in digital marketing to pursue her passion for music.
In a recent conversation with Billboard, Tems credits a message from her daily devotional for giving her the courage to take the leap. The message encouraged her to use her gifts to serve others, resonating deeply with her desire to make music.
Despite family pressure to maintain a steady job, Tems quit her digital marketing position in January 2018. Six months after leaving her job, Tems released her debut single ‘Mr. Rebel’, which gained traction and introduced her unique voice to the music scene.
Her subsequent releases, including “Try Me,” solidified her position as a rising star in the Afropop genre.
Tems said “I quit my digital marketing job because it got to a point where I couldn’t take anymore. It was really dawning on me like, it’s now or never. I was just putting it off until I developed faith that God will see me through wherever I go.
“I quit my job in January 2018, I released ‘Mr. Rabel’ six or seven months after I quit my job. Spiritually, I was aware that digital marketing wasn’t my path, I needed to leave that place immediately. It felt really like, life or death. It was like this can make or break your destiny, and you need to make a decision right now. I chose to quit and it worked out.”
Tems’ breakthrough came with her feature on Wizkid’s global hit ‘Essence’, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
She further cemented her reputation with her contribution to Future’s song ‘Wait 4 U’, featuring Drake, which won a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap.
Tems’ journey to stardom wasn’t without its challenges. She struggled with self-acceptance, depression, and finding her voice as a young artist.
However, with the support of her mentor, Mr. Sosan, and her own determination, she persevered and developed a distinctive sound that resonates with fans worldwide.
Tems continues to make waves in the music industry, known for her emotive subject matter and genre-bending style. Her success serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists, demonstrating the power of following one’s passion and staying true to oneself.
