At a Glance
- The Nigerian star clinched Best African Music Performance for Love Me JeJe, reinforcing her dominance on the global music stage.
- Tems’ ‘Wait for U’ collaboration with Future and Drake surpassed one billion Spotify streams, solidifying her global impact.
- Tems became the first African woman to co-own a U.S. pro sports team, joining San Diego FC’s ownership group ahead of its MLS debut.
Tems, is not just Nigeria’s biggest music star right now—she’s arguably the most influential African artist on the global stage. This year alone, she’s shattered records, redefined Afrobeats, and cemented her place among the industry’s elite. Her dominance isn’t just about chart positions or streaming numbers—it’s about cultural impact, artistic evolution, and a relentless drive to push boundaries.
In February, Tems clinched her second Grammy, winning Best African Music Performance for her soulful hit ‘Love Me JeJe’, reinforcing her ability to command both mainstream and niche audiences. It was a defining moment, but just one of many. From sold-out performances to high-profile collaborations, strategic investments, and an ambitious foray into sports, Tems is proving that she’s not just here to entertain—she’s here to build a legacy.
Her rise to global acclaim began in 2023 when she won her first Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance on Future’s ‘Wait For U’, featuring Drake. Fast forward to today, and her numbers are staggering: 18.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, 1.12 million YouTube subscribers, and over 554.1 million total streams. But beyond the metrics, what sets her apart is her artistry—effortlessly blending soul, R&B, and Afrobeats into a sound that resonates far beyond her home continent.
The release of her debut studio album, ‘Born in the Wild,’ on June 7, 2024, marked another career-defining moment. Charting in the UK, Netherlands, and Switzerland and peaking at No. 56 on the US Billboard 200—the highest for a Nigerian female artist—the album reaffirmed her status as a global powerhouse. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the movement she’s leading, one that challenges industry norms and reshapes perceptions of African artists on the world stage.
From securing her second Grammy for ‘Love Me JeJe’ to captivating audiences at Aston Martin’s James Bond-themed F1 livery unveil at the O2 Arena, 2025 has been a landmark year. Shore.Africa highlights five major milestones this year that showcase just how far Tems has ascended—and why her reign is just beginning.
- Tems Wins Second Grammy Award
Tems secured her second Grammy at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Nigerian singer won Best African Music Performance for her song ‘Love Me JeJe,’ beating out Yemi Alade’s ‘Tomorrow’, Asake and Wizkid’s ‘MMS,’ Chris Brown, Davido, and Lojay’s ‘Sensational,’ and Burna Boy’s ‘Higher’. She received three nominations this year, bringing her career total to eight.
In addition to her winning category, she was also nominated for Best R&B Song for ‘Burning’ and Best Global Music Album for her debut studio album ‘Born in the Wild’. With two Grammy wins, Tems has cemented her place as one of Africa’s most influential female artists. She now joins the ranks of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Angélique Kidjo, Ali Farka Touré, and Wizkid—African musicians who have won more than one Grammy.
- First African female artist to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams
Just weeks after her Grammy win, Tems reached another milestone, becoming the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. The record-breaking achievement came from ‘Wait for U,’ her collaboration with Future and Drake, which samples her song ‘Higher’ from her 2020 EP ‘For Broken Ears’.
Released on May 3, 2022, as part of Future’s ninth studio album ‘I Never Liked You,’ ‘Wait for U’ has remained a fan favorite. Nearly three years after its debut, the track has 1.007 billion streams on Spotify, a testament to its lasting impact. The song also marked a major career breakthrough for Tems, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Rhythmic Airplay charts. At the 2023 Grammy Awards, ‘Wait for U’ won Best Melodic Rap Performance, making it Tems’ first Grammy win.
- First African woman to own a U.S. professional team
Beyond music, Tems is expanding her influence into the business world. On Feb. 16, she made history as the first African woman to own—either in part or in full—a professional sports team in the United States. She joined San Diego FC as a club partner ahead of its 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) debut, becoming part of an ownership group that includes Issa Rae and Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour.
Tems is entering the sports business through The Leading Vibe, her company focused on creative and community-driven initiatives. Her involvement with Mansour—Egypt’s third-richest person and one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals—positions her for more high-profile business deals. Beyond ownership, she is also partnering with Right to Dream Academy to support young football talent, highlighting the similarities between music and sports in creating opportunities for youth.
- Electrifying performance at Aston Martin’s F1 2025 livery reveal
Tems continues to make waves in both entertainment and sports. She delivered a standout performance at Aston Martin’s 2025 Formula 1 livery reveal at The O2 Arena in London, captivating the global audience. As the team unveiled its James Bond-inspired racing green challenger, Tems took the stage with a live band, performing a soulful rendition of ‘Higher’—the same song sampled in ‘Wait for U’. Violinists, trumpeters, and saxophonists accompanied her as Aston Martin’s new race car made its dramatic entrance. She later joined Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso on stage, adding to the spectacle.
The event was a highlight of Formula 1’s pre-season launch, where all ten teams debuted their new car designs. Even with Ferrari unveiling its latest challenger alongside Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, Aston Martin’s reveal—blended with Tems’ performance—was the most talked-about moments.
- Headlining Billboard’s THE STAGE at SXSW London on June 5
Tems’ global star power continues to rise. On June 5, she will headline Billboard’s THE STAGE at SXSW London, one of the festival’s most anticipated concerts. The event, set to take place at the historic Troxy in Shoreditch, London, marks a major moment for the inaugural SXSW London festival, running from June 2 to 7.
Billboard President Mike Van expressed excitement over the announcement, stating: “We’re thrilled to bring one of Billboard’s most important concerts to the first-ever SXSW London with a world-class artist like Tems.” Billboard will provide live coverage of the festival, which highlights music, culture, and creativity. Van added, “Tems continues to break boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide, capturing both the spirit of discovery at SXSW and Billboard’s commitment to showcasing the best global talent.”
With her second Grammy, record-breaking streaming numbers, business ventures, and high-profile performances, Tems is proving that she is not just a rising star—she is a force to be reckoned with.
