A man has gone viral after reportedly denying his wife during a live performance by Nigerian singer Tems at the Afro Punk Festival in Brazil over the weekend.
The dramatic scene unfolded when Tems, known for her soulful performances and smooth vocals, invited a male fan to the stage for a brief serenade. However, what began as a playful fan moment quickly turned into an internet sensation.
In a viral video circulating online, Tems could be heard telling the man that she did not want to disrespect his wife while performing close to him. “I know your wife is here, and I need to respect her,” she said with a smile, drawing laughter from the audience.
Read Also: ‘I prefer older women’, fan tells Tems after she questioned his age mid-serenade
Surprisingly, the man immediately denied being married, despite his alleged wife standing just behind him in the crowd.
The shocking denial sent waves of amusement and disbelief through social media as viewers reacted to the viral clip.
Moments later, the man went on to kiss Tems’ hand, causing the crowd to erupt in screams and cheers. Many fans captured the moment on their phones, sharing the video widely across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.
The clip has since sparked heated debate online about fan behaviour at concerts, as well as the growing trend of Afrobeats artists serenading fans, or even their partners, on stage.
Some social media users criticised the man for disrespecting his wife in public, calling his action “embarrassing” and “disloyal.” Others, however, argued that it was all part of show business and should not be taken too seriously.
Tems, who appeared both surprised and amused by the man’s reaction, maintained her composure throughout the brief encounter. Fans praised her for handling the moment gracefully without fuelling the controversy further.
The Afro Punk Festival, where the incident took place, featured performances from several international artists, with Tems representing Nigeria and Afrobeats on a global stage.
Her performance reportedly drew one of the loudest cheers of the night, as she performed hits like Free Mind and Essence.
Meanwhile, the man’s actions have reignited conversation around how far artists and fans should go during live shows, especially when it involves romantic gestures or personal boundaries.
This is not the first time such a moment has caused a stir in the Afrobeats community. New Daily Prime recalls that in February 2024, singer Omah Lay sparked a similar controversy at his concert at the Eventim Apollo in London.
During his performance of the hit song Bend You, Omah Lay invited a female fan from the audience to join him on stage. The pair shared a close and intimate moment under dim lights as he performed, with their silhouettes projected across the stage screens.
Videos of the moment went viral almost immediately, with many concertgoers sharing clips online.
The incident led to public backlash after it was reported that the woman had attended the show with her boyfriend, who appeared visibly uncomfortable in the crowd.
The fallout from that event reportedly caused tension between the couple, sparking weeks of debate about artists crossing emotional lines with their fans.
As of now, neither Tems nor her management has issued an official statement regarding the incident. The identity of the man and his alleged wife also remains unknown.
However, one thing is certain: the viral video has once again placed Afrobeats performances and fan interactions under public scrutiny, reminding audiences that a concert’s energy can sometimes blur the lines between admiration and controversy.
