Nigerian music powerhouse Tems has once again put the country’s name on the global stage, winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Her hit song ‘Love Me Jeje’, from her debut album Born in the Wild, stood out in a highly competitive category featuring fellow Nigerian superstars Burna Boy and Asake. With this win, she becomes the second-ever recipient of the award, introduced in 2024 and first claimed by South African singer Tyla.
In her emotional acceptance speech, Tems expressed her gratitude, saying, “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team.” She dedicated the award to her mother, whose birthday coincided with her historic win on February 3.
Though she was also nominated for Best R&B Performance for Burning, the award went to SZA’s Saturn. Additionally, she was a contender for Best Global Music Album, which was won by Matt B and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
At just 29 years old, Temilade Openiyi (Tems) continues to break boundaries, solidifying her status as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musical exports. This Grammy marks her second career win, following her 2023 victory for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Wait for U alongside Future and Drake.
The 2025 Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, further highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence on the global music scene.
Celebrating a Nigerian Icon
Across Nigeria and the diaspora, influential voices have celebrated Tems’ latest achievement:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised her for making Nigeria proud, stating, “Tems’ remarkable success at the Grammys is proof of the extraordinary talent our nation produces. Her victory is not just hers alone but for all Nigerians, as she continues to take our music to the world.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended her as a shining example of the city’s creative brilliance: “Tems represents the resilience, creativity, and excellence that Lagos nurtures. We are incredibly proud of her achievements.”
Afrobeats legend Wizkid, with whom Tems collaborated on the Grammy-nominated global hit Essence, celebrated her on social media: “Big love to my sis Tems! Another win for the culture.”
Davido, another Nigerian megastar, also shared his excitement: “Nigeria to the world! Congrats, Tems, more wins ahead.”
International stars like Drake and Rihanna joined in the celebration, with Drake posting on Instagram: “Super proud of Tems! From Lagos to the world, she’s unstoppable.”
At Naija Diaspora Magazine, we proudly celebrate Tems for yet another remarkable achievement. Her artistry and success continue to elevate Nigeria’s name globally, inspiring millions across Africa and beyond. This is yet another testament to the unstoppable rise of Afrobeats and African music on the world stage!
