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Tems says with success she has come to like the meaning of her name Témìládè
Nigerian R&B artist Tems has found deeper appreciation for the significance of her Yoruba name, Témìládè, as she rises as a global music sensation. In a recent interview highlighting her as Billboard magazine’s 2024 Women in Music Breakthrough honoree, Tems shared that her name, meaning “the crown is mine,” now holds profound meaning for her.
Born Témìládè Openiyi, Tems expressed that with her increasing success as a musician, the essence of her name feels like a poignant full-circle moment.
“Growing up, everybody just called me Temi. Nobody really called me by my full name. It wasn’t something that was on my mind,” she told the American music magazine. “It’s only now, as an adult, that I started realising that it meant ‘The crown is mine.’ I think that’s really powerful. It feels manifested, based on how my life has gone,” she added.
For the upcoming Women in Music Awards ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Tems will be honored alongside several other remarkable women in the music industry. This includes Ice Spice, New Jeans, recent Grammy winner Victoria Monét, Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, Luisa Sonza, Young Miko, and American country singer Maren Morris.
In her interview with the magazine, Tems expressed her excitement about inspiring others to pursue their dreams through her career. However, she humbly acknowledged that she may never fully grasp the extent of her impact on the public as she rises to international stardom.
“I’m not sure if I would ever really be aware of whatever impact my story has, but it feels inspiring to know that I’ve inspired others because I’m inspired by other people as well,” Tems said. “It just encourages me to keep going,” she added.