Nigerian music sensation Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, recently shared a profound personal reflection. She revealed that her journey in music has surpassed all expectations. In fact, it has achieved far more than she ever imagined during her time in a regular 9-to-5 job.

Tems’ career began gaining traction with her first single, ‘Mr Rebel’. It was released in the same year she made this observation. The song quickly captured significant media attention.

A major turning point came in 2020. Tems featured on Wizkid’s global hit single, ‘Essence’. This collaboration introduced her to a wider audience.

The song’s remix with pop superstar Justin Bieber further boosted its reach. It climbed to an impressive number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This achievement brought Tems widespread international recognition and acclaim.

Grammy Wins and Global Recognition

Her accomplishments have continued to grow since then. In 2023, Tems made history. She became the first female Afrobeats artist to win a Grammy Award. This was for her collaboration with Future and Drake on ‘Wait For U’. The track secured the Best Melodic Rap Performance category.

The success did not stop there. In 2025, she earned her second Grammy. She took home the award for Best African Music Performance. This landmark achievement cemented her status as the only Nigerian artist with multiple Grammy wins.

Beyond the Grammys, Tems has also received significant nominations. She was recognized with Oscar and Golden Globe nods. These were for her role in co-writing Rihanna’s powerful song, ‘Lift Me Up’. These nominations further solidify her immense influence within the global music scene.

Surpassing Early Dreams

Reflecting on her incredible journey, Tems openly admitted her career has surpassed initial goals. These were goals she set when she first left her 9-to-5 job. She expressed anticipation for what the future holds.

A curious fan recently asked her about her current aspirations. The fan also inquired if she had achieved all her dreams prior to stardom. Tems’ response was clear and heartfelt.

She replied, “I’m looking forward to whatever the Lord has in store. Honestly, I’ve achieved beyond my dreams from when I had a 9-5.” This statement underscores her gratitude and astonishment at her own success.