Tems: The Soulful Voice That Redefined Afrobeats

 When Tems steps on a record, the atmosphere changes. Her voice doesn’t just ride the beat—it bends it, reshapes it, and makes you pause to listen closer. Every note feels intentional, every inflection loaded with meaning. There’s a gravity in her sound that doesn’t rely on volume or speed, but on presence. In an era where music often competes for attention with loudness and instant hooks, Tems slows things down, pulling listeners into her orbit and reminding them that sometimes the quietest voice is the most commanding.

In an industry where energy often takes the spotlight, Tems leans into restraint, intimacy, and vulnerability. She embraces space in her records, allowing her smoky voice to breathe and resonate, turning simplicity into strength.

The result? A sound that feels raw yet polished, soulful yet distinctly African—music that speaks to both the heart and the global stage. It’s why her songs linger long after they end, not just as melodies, but as moods that stay with you.

Her rise is more than another Afrobeats success story. It is the story of how one artist challenged the expectations of a booming genre, widened its horizons, and carved out a space where vulnerability thrives as much as rhythm. In a landscape dominated by uptempo records and dance-floor energy, Tems proved that there is room for stillness and introspection. She didn’t need to compete with the genre’s biggest anthems; instead, she built her own lane, one where emotion and storytelling are just as powerful as percussion and bass.

What makes her journey remarkable is how naturally she has shifted the conversation around Afrobeats. Rather than being boxed into its loudest, most commercial side, Tems has shown the world its quieter, soulful dimensions. Her music is proof that depth and delicacy can coexist with global appeal. By leaning into her difference, she has not only redefined what it means to be an Afrobeats star but also expanded the genre’s future, inspiring others to embrace authenticity over conformity.

Breaking the Mold of Afrobeats: Expanding Afrobeats Beyond the Dance Floor

For years, Afrobeats has been celebrated for its feel-good anthems—songs made for dance floors, weddings, and street parties. The formula worked, and stars like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and many more took the sound worldwide, giving Afrobeats its rightful place on the global stage. These artists built a movement rooted in rhythm, celebration, and infectious energy, and their success cemented Afrobeats as one of the most influential genres of the decade. For many listeners across the world, the sound became synonymous with joy, movement, and collective experience.

But Tems’ breakthrough moment was anything but formulaic. When she arrived with “Try Me” in 2019, she disrupted the pattern with something slower, moodier, and more introspective. It wasn’t built for the club or the wedding floor—it was built for the headphones, the late nights, and the moments of reflection. Her defiance of the established mold signaled that Afrobeats could also live in quiet spaces, that it could carry as much emotional weight as it does energy. In choosing a different path, Tems didn’t step outside of Afrobeats; she expanded it.

Rather than pulling you to the dance floor, Tems demanded stillness—demanded that you listen. At a time when Afrobeats was celebrated for high-energy rhythms and celebratory anthems, her decision to slow things down stood out. She leaned into restraint instead of volume, intimacy instead of spectacle, and it made her music impossible to ignore. The quiet became her power, drawing listeners closer with every note.

This contrast became her greatest strength. Tems wasn’t competing with Afrobeats’ giants on their terms; she was carving her own lane. Built on mood, emotion, and storytelling, her sound spoke directly to the inner world of her audience. In doing so, she expanded the boundaries of the genre, proving that Afrobeats could hold space not just for dance, but for reflection, vulnerability, and healing.

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The Power of Her Voice: A Sound That Commands Stillness

Tems’ voice is her greatest instrument. Smoky, textured, and unhurried, it carries a depth that can shift from fragile whispers to soaring declarations in a single breath. It’s a voice that lingers, one that doesn’t just fill a space but transforms it.

On “Free Mind”, her verses unfold like a prayer, vulnerable yet affirming, carrying the weight of self-reflection while offering comfort to those who listen. Each line feels personal yet universal, as if she is speaking directly to the listener while voicing emotions they didn’t know how to articulate.

On “Damages”, her delivery feels conversational but still commanding, a perfect balance of intimacy and authority. The track moves with ease, but her voice cuts through with clarity, anchoring the record in emotion. What makes her vocals remarkable is not just their uniqueness, but their adaptability—whether layered over minimalist production or woven into fuller soundscapes, Tems’ tone always takes center stage. It’s not just that she sings; it’s that she makes you feel the weight of every word.

What makes Tems stand out is how producers build around her. Instead of overwhelming her vocals with heavy percussion or layered synths, her collaborators create space, crafting instrumentals that feel almost like canvases for her voice to paint on. The arrangements are often stripped back, subtle, and intentional, giving her tone room to breathe and resonate. This approach allows her smoky voice to become the centerpiece, turning each track into an intimate experience rather than a crowded soundscape.

That’s why even on collaborations—whether it’s Wizkid’s Essence, Future’s Wait for U, or Drake’s Fountains —her voice doesn’t just blend in; it becomes the lasting memory of the song.

On Essence, she added an ethereal softness that transformed the track from a summer hit into a timeless global anthem, with many crediting her vocals as the soul of the record.

On Wait for U, her sampled voice carried so much emotion that it became the spine of the entire song, guiding its mood and elevating it to Grammy-winning status. Future himself praised her voice on Twitter, acknowledging how unique and powerful it was. In both cases, Tems wasn’t just an accessory—her voice was the difference-maker, the element that turned great records into cultural moments.

 

Tems’ collaboration with Drake on Fountains, from his 2021 album Certified Lover Boy, was another defining moment in her global breakthrough. The track carried a mellow, tropical groove, and Tems’ airy, soulful vocals provided the perfect contrast to Drake’s laid-back delivery. Her presence elevated the song, giving it depth and an undeniable warmth that quickly made it a fan favorite.

For many international listeners, Fountains was their first real introduction to Tems, and her performance left a lasting impression—so much so that critics and fans alike credited her with being the highlight of the track. It was further proof that her voice had the power to not just complement stars of Drake’s caliber, but to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

Her feature on Beyoncé’s “Move” from the 2022 Renaissance album cemented her as a global force. Sharing the track with Beyoncé and Grace Jones, she added her signature richness without being overshadowed, instead balancing their commanding presences. More than just a feature, it was a stamp of approval that showed Tems can thrive alongside legends while staying true to her artistry.

Together, these collaborations tell the story of Tems’ global ascent. “Essence” introduced her to the world, “Wait for U” earned her a Grammy, “Fountains” expanded her reach into hip-hop and pop spaces, and Move placed her alongside legends. What stands out isn’t just the scale of these opportunities, but how Tems consistently makes her presence unforgettable.

Rather than being overshadowed by the giants she works with, her voice becomes the anchor—the part of the song listeners carry with them long after it ends. In doing so, she has not only expanded Afrobeats’ global reach but also positioned herself as one of its most distinctive and enduring ambassadors.

Beyond Features: A Solo Force

Features may have introduced her to the world, but Tems’ solo catalog proves she’s more than a supporting act. Her 2020 debut EP “For Broken Ears” was a raw, introspective body of work that showcased her vulnerability and artistic depth. It was the kind of project that didn’t need heavy promotion or hype to resonate; it spread organically, fueled by the honesty in her songwriting and the uniqueness of her delivery. Tracks like Higher, The Key, Damages, and Free Mind carried a quiet power, revealing an artist who was unafraid to bare her emotions while staying true to her sound.

Of these, Free Mind became the breakout sleeper hit—a song that traveled far beyond its release date to top Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop charts years later, a rare feat for any African artist. Its success wasn’t about trends but about timelessness, proof that Tems’ music grows with listeners rather than fading with time. At the same time, Damages became a generational anthem in Nigeria, while Higher and The Key cemented her ability to balance vulnerability with defiance. Together, the EP positioned Tems not as a rising star in someone else’s shadow, but as a force strong enough to carry her own light.

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Her 2021 follow-up, “If Orange Was a Place”, pushed her sound further and showed a new level of confidence in her artistry. With production handled largely by GuiltyBeatz, the EP carried a lighter, more experimental feel compared to her debut. Songs like Replay, Avoid Things, Vibe Out, and Crazy Tings blurred genre lines, weaving together elements of R&B, soul, and Afropop while still grounding themselves in her African essence. The project revealed her ability to stretch sonically without losing the intimacy and depth that had already become her trademark.

One of the standout moments was “Found”, her collaboration with American singer Brent Faiyaz. Their voices blended seamlessly, creating a soulful and atmospheric track that resonated with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The chemistry between Tems and Brent highlighted her global appeal and ability to hold her own alongside established international acts. If Orange Was a Place wasn’t just a step forward—it was a statement, proving that Tems could expand her sound, cross borders, and still remain authentically herself.

What stood out most was how effortlessly Tems balanced accessibility with authenticity. “If Orange Was a Place” proved she wasn’t afraid to evolve, to test new textures, and to let her artistry breathe. It reassured fans and critics alike that her success wasn’t accidental or tied only to collaborations—it was the result of a deliberate vision. Together with “For Broken Ears”, the project painted the picture of an artist built for longevity, one who would not be remembered as a one-hit wonder riding the wave of features, but as a leading voice shaping the future of global music.

Tems’ debut album “Born in the Wild” (2024) marked the most anticipated chapter of her career, a project that solidified her transition from breakout star to fully realized global artist. The album’s title reflects both her resilience and her journey of self-discovery, weaving personal storytelling with her trademark mix of soul, R&B, and Afrobeats.

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Standout tracks like Love Me Jeje paid homage to her Nigerian roots with its nostalgic interpolation of Seyi Sodimu’s classic, and it went on to win her a Grammy—in the Best African Music Performance category at the 67th Annual Awards in 2025, marking her second Grammy win.

This achievement symbolized both cultural pride and international recognition. Meanwhile, Burning showcased her ability to channel vulnerability into a hauntingly powerful ballad, proof of the emotional depth she brings to her craft. Each record revealed a new layer of her artistry, expanding her sound while preserving the intimacy that first captivated listeners.

One of the album’s defining moments came with her collaboration with J. Cole on “Free Fall“,  a rare and carefully chosen feature that underscored her intent to craft timeless, boundary-crossing music. The pairing brought together two artists celebrated for introspection and emotional honesty, and the result was a track that resonated deeply with fans across genres.

With Born in the Wild, Tems didn’t just deliver an album—she offered a statement of identity, cementing her place as one of the most dynamic voices of her generation. The album was nominated for Best Global Music Album and its third single “Burning” was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 67th Annual Grammy awards. It was a body of work that not only pushed Afrobeats into uncharted territory but also positioned her as a global storyteller capable of shaping music far beyond its borders.

A Global Voice: Carrying African Sound to the Biggest Stages

Tems’ influence now stretches far beyond Afrobeats, reshaping how African voices are represented on the world stage. In 2022, she co-wrote Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, lending her pen to a song that carried cultural and emotional weight for one of the most anticipated films of the decade. It was a moment that confirmed her versatility—not only as a singer but as a songwriter whose work resonates globally. From intimate ballads to chart-topping anthems, Tems has proven her ability to bridge cultures, genres, and generations, becoming a vital part of Afrobeats’ global narrative while pushing its boundaries in bold, unexpected ways.

Her list of achievements reflects that impact. In 2023, she became the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy, earning Best Melodic Rap Performance for Wait for U. By 2025, she had broken even more ground, becoming the first Nigerian artist with multiple Grammy Awards, including one for her hit Love Me Jeje. Beyond the Grammys, Tems has earned Billboard chart-toppers, platinum certifications, and widespread critical acclaim, all while remaining true to her distinctive artistry. She has become a symbol of possibility for women in African music and a blueprint for how authenticity can lead to global success. Tems’ journey is no longer just about personal triumph—it’s about expanding the space for African artists worldwide, and her legacy is only just beginning.

Her collaborations with Drake, Beyoncé, and Future reflect her undeniable crossover appeal, but they also highlight something deeper: Tems has shifted how the world perceives Afrobeats. By standing tall alongside global icons, she has shown that her artistry isn’t confined to regional borders—it resonates universally, without losing its African essence. Each collaboration has elevated her profile while reinforcing the idea that Afrobeats can hold its own on the biggest stages.

To many international audiences, Tems has become the face of the genre’s softer, more introspective side. She embodies a dimension of Afrobeats that extends beyond dance floors and party records, opening doors to soul, R&B, and alternative influences. In doing so, she has expanded the genre’s horizons and challenged the narrative of what African music can be, proving that vulnerability, depth, and restraint are just as powerful as rhythm and energy in carrying the culture forward.

Conclusion: The Legacy She’s Building

Tems is not just another star riding Afrobeats’ global wave—she is reshaping it. Her artistry thrives on a delicate balance of strength and vulnerability, where emotion takes center stage over formula. By leaning into honesty, grounding her music in intimacy, and letting her voice guide the production, she has carved out a space that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

In refusing to conform to the genre’s dominant formulas, Tems has expanded the boundaries of Afrobeats itself. She has shown that the sound can be more than high-energy anthems; it can also hold space for quiet reflection, raw storytelling, and spiritual depth. In doing so, she has not only diversified the genre’s identity but also positioned herself as one of its boldest innovators, paving the way for others to explore new possibilities.

Her success has created room for other artists who don’t fit the traditional mold, opening doors for experimentation and emotional storytelling within Afrobeats. By breaking through with a sound rooted in vulnerability and restraint, she has expanded the conversation around what the genre can be and who gets to define it. Emerging artists now see a clearer path to express themselves authentically, without the pressure of chasing formulas or fitting neatly into expectations.

Tems has already proven that intimacy can be just as powerful as energy, and that whispers can echo just as loudly as anthems. Her rise serves as living proof that global impact doesn’t always come from volume or speed—it can also come from stillness, honesty, and depth. In shifting the narrative, she has redefined the measures of success in Afrobeats, leaving a legacy that goes beyond charts and awards to influence the very shape of the genre itself.

The question now is: will she remain Afrobeats’ soulful outlier, or has Tems already become the new blueprint for the future of African music?

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