Nigerian superstar Tems has become the first artist from her country to win the prestigious Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance.
The 29-year-old singer won for her soulful track “Love Me Jeje” from her debut album “Born in the Wild,” beating out fellow Nigerian heavyweights Burna Boy and Asake in a category that showcases Africa’s vibrant music scene.
In her acceptance speech at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Tems thanked God and dedicated her win to her mother, whose birthday coincided with the awards ceremony.
Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team,” she said.
This latest triumph adds to Tems’ growing collection of accolades, including her 2023 Grammy win for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her collaboration with Future and Drake on “Wait for U.” Despite nominations in the R&B and Best Global Music Album categories this year, it was her victory in the African Music Performance category that secured her place in history as the second-ever winner of this recently introduced award.
Born Temilade Openiyi, Tems continues to break barriers in the international music scene, following in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian artist Burna Boy, who won the Best Global Music Album in 2021.
