Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, revealed the career paths she would have followed if she had not become a musician.
The Grammy-winning star shared this during an interactive session with fans on X on Tuesday.
A fan had asked her, “If music didn’t work, what else do you think you would be doing today?” Tems replied that she would probably have become an accountant or a mathematics teacher.
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Her simple answer sparked admiration among fans, many of whom said they were not surprised by her interest in maths, given her calm and analytical personality.
Although she is now one of the most recognisable voices in global Afrobeats, Tems did not start her adult life as a full-time musician. She revealed in earlier interviews that she worked as a digital marketer before walking away from the job to pursue her passion for music.
In January 2018, Tems quit her office job to focus completely on building a music career. At the time, it was a risky move because she had no major hit and no guarantee of success. However, she said she felt strongly that music was her true calling and decided to give it everything she had.
After leaving her job, Tems released her first single, “Mr Rebel,” in July 2018. Though it was not a massive hit, the song introduced her unique sound to listeners in Nigeria’s alternative music scene. Her powerful vocals and emotional songwriting helped her attract a small but dedicated fan base.
Over the next two years, she continued to release music, experiment with her style, and collaborate with other young creatives. Her talent became harder to ignore, and she slowly gained more attention.
Tems experienced her big breakthrough in 2020 after being featured on Wizkid’s global hit “Essence.” The song became a worldwide sensation and later peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 following the remix that featured Justin Bieber.
“Essence” introduced Tems to a global audience and turned her into one of the most prominent breakthrough acts of the year. Her performance on the song earned widespread praise for its soulful depth and distinct African sound.
The success of “Essence” also paved the way for her debut EP, “For Broken Ears,” and later, her acclaimed projects and collaborations. She has since worked with top international artists, including Drake, Future, and Beyoncé.
Tems later made history as one of the few Nigerian artists to win a Grammy Award. She received the 2023 Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to Future’s hit track “Wait For U” featuring Drake. Her steady rise has positioned her as one of the leading female voices in African music today.
Despite her global success, Tems has often spoken about her simple lifestyle and love for privacy. Her recent revelation about choosing a career in teaching or accounting if music had not worked further highlighted her grounded personality.
For Tems, the road to stardom was not straightforward, but her decision to take a bold step in 2018 changed the entire trajectory of her life.
Her story continues to inspire young people who hope to chase their dreams against the odds.
