Tems Receives Her First Grammy Award Plaque

Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has received her Grammy award plaque, marking a significant milestone in her music career. The award was for her contribution to Future’s ‘Wait For U,’ which also featured Drake, and won the ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category at the 65th Grammys held on February 6, 2023.

The news of the plaque’s arrival was shared on social media by Tems’ manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi. The gold-plated award, inscribed with “National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences,” was showcased in an Instagram story, sparking a flurry of congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues alike.

Tems’ Grammy win has been a source of national pride, as she is the first female Nigerian artist to win a Grammy. Her nomination in the Best Global Performance category last year for her hit song with Wizkid ‘Essence’ was also a first for a female Nigerian singer. Although she lost to Pakistan’s Arooj Aftab, her subsequent win has solidified her position in the global music scene.

The singer, who rose to fame in 2020 after featuring in ‘Essence,’ has since received numerous awards and recognition for her craft. In 2022, her song ‘Free Mind’ from her ‘For Broken Ears’ EP made its first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100. A few months later, the song was ranked number 9 on Billboard’s chart. Last month, ‘Free Mind’ became the longest-charting track by a lead female artiste atop Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list.

Tems’ Grammy win has not only been celebrated by her fans and colleagues but also by prominent personalities, including former President Muhammadu Buhari. Her achievement has been hailed as a significant stride for Nigerian music on the global stage.

However, Tems’ journey to this point has not been without controversy. Her outfit to the 2023 Oscars sparked a debate online, with some criticizing her for obstructing the view of others with her flamboyant white dress. In response to the backlash, Tems shared official photos of her outfit on her Instagram page with a dramatic caption, “Uh Ohh!”

As Tems continues to make waves in the music industry, her Grammy award plaque serves as a symbol of her success and a beacon of inspiration for other upcoming artists. Her achievement is a clear indication that Nigerian music is making its mark on the global stage, and fans are eagerly awaiting what she will do next.