NIGERIAN SINGER Tems has cemented her place in music history, securing her second Grammy Award at the 67th annual ceremony in Los Angeles.
She triumphed in the Best African Music Performance category for her hit “Love Me Jeje”, edging out industry heavyweights Burna Boy, Wizkid, Yemi Alade, and even US star Chris Brown, whose nomination had sparked controversy.
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter, visibly overwhelmed, took to the stage, clutching her golden gramophone.
“My heart is beating so fast,” she admitted, catching her breath. “I do work out, but it’s not showing up right now,” she quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
In a deeply personal tribute, Tems dedicated the award to her mother, who was present at the event.
“Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammys. I just want to thank you, Mum, because she has done a lot for me and my brother,” she said, gesturing towards her.
Her winning track “Love Me Jeje” is a reimagining of Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 Nigerian classic. The song has resonated globally, amassing over 125 million streams on Spotify and 21 million views on YouTube, reinforcing the commercial strength of Afrobeats in the international market.
The Best African Music Performance category, introduced only last year, was seen as a landmark moment for African artists on the global stage. However, this year’s inclusion of Chris Brown’s “Sensational”, featuring Nigerian artists Davido and Lojay, raised eyebrows. Critics argued that an American artist dominating an African category blurred the lines of genre representation.
Despite this, Tems’ victory reaffirmed the category’s intended purpose—to highlight authentic African artistry and the continent’s evolving influence on global sounds.
This latest win makes Tems the first Nigerian artist to secure two Grammys, having previously won Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for her contribution to Future’s “Wait For U” alongside Drake.
Her career has been a rapid ascent since her 2018 debut single “Mr Rebel”. The Explainer learned that her 2019 hit “Try Me” established her as a force in the Nigerian alternative music scene, but it was her collaboration on Wizkid’s “Essence” that truly catapulted her into the international spotlight.
With eight Grammy nominations to her name, alongside wins at the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards, Tems’ dominance is undeniable.
ALSO READ: FG Backs Local HIV Drug, Test Kit Production as Trump Halts Funding
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu joined a wave of celebratory messages, commending her “unique artistry, which has brought pride to Nigeria on the global stage for the second time.”
The President’s adviser on information, Bayo Onanuga, stated that “Afrobeats has become a source of national pride, uniting people across borders.” He acknowledged other Nigerian nominees—Yemi Alade, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake—calling them “patriots who have put Nigeria on the global map of creative excellence.”
The Explainer gathered that Afrobeats is now a dominant force in global music. The genre has evolved from a localised Nigerian movement into a commercial powerhouse, with stars like Burna Boy, Rema, and Asake topping international charts.
Data from Spotify’s Culture Next Report 2024 reveals that streams of Afrobeats music increased by 550% globally between 2017 and 2024. Meanwhile, Billboard launched its U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart in 2022, further cementing the genre’s international appeal.
Aside from her win, Tems was nominated for Best Global Music Album (Born in the Wild) and Best R&B Song (Burning). Though she missed out on these categories, her Grammy triumph solidifies her position as one of Africa’s most successful contemporary artists.
