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Tems opens up about her style of music, how she met Wizkid, and many more.
In a recent interview, award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer Tems provided fans with a glimpse into her music journey, her musical style, and her perspective on competition.
Following the release and the widespread acclaim of her first single in over two years, Tems shared her musical journey, offering insights into her approach to music, her introduction to Wizkid, and her aspirations for the future.
The interview took place on the renowned American radio station Hot 97, and here are the key highlights from the discussion:
How Tems met Wizkid:
Tems disclosed that her introduction to Wizkid was through her music. She explained that she was already a recognized artist, having released songs from her first EP. However, one particular song that resonated deeply with fans in Nigeria and across Africa was the hit single titled “Try Me.”
It wasn’t just the fans who were captivated by her vocal prowess and skills on the track; she also caught the attention of Wizkid. This eventually led to their collaboration on “Essence,” which became one of the most significant songs in the history of African music.
"It was from Try Me that I met Wiz (WizKid)"
– Tems pic.twitter.com/EDPFdhiy4w
— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 26, 2023
What is Tems’ style and genre of music?
Tems addressed the misconception about her style of music during the interview. She clarified that many tend to label all songs from Africa as Afrobeats, which isn’t accurate. She emphasized that the music she creates is actually R&B. In her first project, she categorized her genre as R&B.
She expressed her belief that over time, people’s understanding of the diverse music produced by African artists will evolve, and they will come to appreciate the specific genres and styles of music each artist brings to the table. This indicates her optimism for a more nuanced and accurate representation of African music in the future.
“When I do music, I put R&B as the genre. It’s the blogs that calls it Afrobeats”
— Tems 🗣️
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Zino / dammy krane / rema / reminisce / don jazzy pic.twitter.com/uz2ean9ARh
— 𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙏𝘼𝙄𝙉𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝘿𝘼𝙄𝙇𝙔 🇳🇬 (@Entdaily001) October 27, 2023
“Nobody can compete with me” – Tems
Tems provided her perspective on the success of her music and her approach to her career. When asked about putting out a project loved by fans that might not achieve the same level of certification or success in different countries as other artists, she clarified that her primary focus is creating music for those who can relate to and connect with it. She emphasized her internal drive, stating that she is highly competitive with herself but doesn’t view other artists as competition.
For Tems, making music for people and having them connect with it is the most important aspect of her artistic journey. She values the personal connection and resonance her music has with her audience over external measures of success.
"Nobody can compete with me"
– Tems pic.twitter.com/OZEq09ub9S
— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) October 26, 2023