The Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated Nigerian artist announced the album with a trailer. The 56-second video is soundtracked by Tems singing, “Born in the wild, born in the wild / I grew up in the wilderness.” Presumably, it’s the album’s title track.
The news comes less than 24 hours after Tems’ Coachella debut on Sunday, April 14. Her set featured surprise guests Justin Bieber and Wizkid. The trio performed Wizkid’s “Essence” featuring Bieber and Tems, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2021. According to setlist.fm, Tems also performed “Me & U” during her set.
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With sizzling flair and a seductive strut, Tyla arrives on the Gunna and Skillibeng-assisted “Jump” from her debut album with a bold declaration. “They never had a pretty girl from Joburg,” she quips, saluting her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. “See me now, and that’s what they prefer.” In just a year, Tyla went from a relatively unknown singer carving out her lane in amapiano to a Grammy winner with eyes on being a global pop star. She achieved this without a proper introduction – a showcase that dropped the curtain on a captivating performance Tyla has been itching to debut for the world.
This proper introduction arrives through her self-titled debut album and it injects a new flavor into the pop world that it has not seen before, at least the way Tyla is doing it. The DNA of the South African singer’s music is amapiano, a house music subgenre that originates from her home country. Key elements in its sound include the “log drum,” a bold, speaker-rattling bass that quite literally serves as the heartbeat of amapiano, pumping life into its listener who catches a groove at either a dance party or the comfort of their own home. Then comes high-pitched piano melodies and other percussions like a hi-hat or a deeper bass. The genre has slowly increased its presence in mainstream African music spaces thanks to ambassadors like Uncle Waffles. Records like Wizkid’s “Bad To Me,” Davido’s “Unavailable,” and Asake’s “Amapiano” have adopted the South African genre, the latter two also receiving Grammy nominations. With all eyes on her Tyla, assumed the role of the genre’s ambassadors with the goal of elevating its appeal, something she achieves with Tyla. Tyla perfectly soundtracks the party we all need as summer nears
Tyla’s push of amapiano to the world pre-dates the arrival of “Water,” her Grammy-winning hit record. The first clues that pointed to Tyla being a force to reckon with came with her previous singles “Been Thinking” and the Ayra Star-featured “Girl Next Door.” The former bubbles towards a climactic hook that opens the floodgates to a tide of head-over-heels feelings Tyla pours out to a crush. “Girl Next Door” turns down the temperature with burning pleas of desire, as Tyla and Ayra reserve hope for a waning love.
“Breathe Me” labels a kiss from Tyla the source of life her companion needs to continue onward. It’s equal parts inviting and daring, seductive and tempting, making for a fascinating love affair. “Jump” brings the heat and pulls bodies, burnished with sweat, closer together. “On My Body” positions Tyla and Becky G as dominating damsels, corralling their love interests and reeling them in for a showstopping presentation. Dancefloor lights bounce on their bodies and the percussion syncs with rising heartbeats.
However, Tyla is more than just a party — it’s a declaration of the singer’s pop stardom. For Tyla, it’s the start of a new chapter, one where she breaks free from past limitations and trades in co-dependency for autonomy. On “No. 1,” Tyla and Tems bask in the warmth of freedom. With “Priorities,” Tyla rescues herself from the neverending freefall of people-pleasing. The self-prioritizing also spills in “Truth Or Dare,” a dazzling single that sees Tyla mock and brush off an ex who returned to re-establish their relationship after the singer’s rise in popularity. She
Tyla lives at the cusp of the climax. Whether it’s on the dancefloor, in her love life, or in her music, Tyla is a dominant force. Step aside and allow her to operate or dare to step in the spotlight with her and complement what she brings to the table. “Water,” at both its surface and its deeper, suggestive center, is the daring request to be that adequate complement. The single is the perfect representation of who Tyla is and what it’s like to be in close proximity. As for the album, it’s a free debut that uses a pulsating amapiano party to put the genre on the global stage and set Tyla free into an era where she dominates for the foreseeable future.
Tyla is out now via FAX Records/Epic Records. Find out more information here.
Gunna is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Tems had one photographer lusting out loud at the Billboard Women in Music event.
While posing on the red carpet of the Billboard event, Tems made a turn, showing her amazing figure and one photographer couldn’t keep quiet, shouting, “Holy Smokes.”
Late last year, Tems unveiled her latest track, “Not An Angel,” available now via Since ‘93/RCA Records. The song, entirely written by Tems, is co-produced by the artist and Sarz. This release follows her recent hit, “Me & U,” marking her first solo venture in two years.
“This song is about knowing your worth and moving on in life from anything holding you back,” Tems said.
“Me & U” has enjoyed immense success, amassing over 45 million streams and maintaining a top-five position on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart for over seven weeks since its release. Tems continues to captivate audiences with her unique sound and artistic prowess. Additionally, fans can enjoy a breathtaking acoustic performance of “Me & U” alongside Guilty Beatz.
Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, was born in Lagos, Nigeria—a city brimming with uncontainable energy much like the artist herself. Rooted in Afrobeat and influenced by an array of genres, Tems’ musical skill can only be likened to a master chef who knows just the right ingredients to create a culinary marvel. The eloquence of her voice pairs beautifully with her narrative lyricism, providing the world with songs that are felt as deeply as they are heard. A talent incubated in the Nigerian music scene, her resonance has now enveloped the globe. As of 2024, the artist’s resonance has certainly paid off, with a net worth estimated at $2 million, according to CAKnowledge.
Riding The Wave: Chart-Topping Collaborations & Solo Success
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards. At Hollywood & Highland on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
While Tems gained the international spotlight for her feature on WizKid’s “Essence,” this was not a coattail ride but a harmonious alignment of stars. Her solo projects like For Broken Ears and the critically acclaimed If Orange Was a Place substantiate her independent artistry. “Essence” may have been the match, but her body of work is the slow-burning, enduring flame. Not just the sheer numbers—millions of streams and counting—but the valuable impact on her listeners that measures her real success.
An Orchestrated Private Life: Tems As A Person, Not Just An Artist
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Tems attends the Burberry show during London Fashion Week. September 2023 on September 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images)
Tems is a study in contrasts: a public figure with a well-curated private life. In interviews, she’s been less keen to speak about personal relationships, emphasizing her love for her craft and her responsibility toward her community. She embodies the 21st-century woman—empowered, focused, and driven by ambition and desire to elevate her milieu. Further, Tems isn’t just a crooner; she’s a savvy business entity. Merchandising, endorsements, and strategic partnerships demonstrate that her insight extends far beyond the recording studio. Her brand collaborations echo her artistic ethos: authentic, diverse, and deeply connected to her roots.
The Crescendo That Never Peaks: Tems In The Here & Now
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 04: Tems performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park. On August 04, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)
What stands out about Tems is her refusal to plateau. Each song, each collaboration, and each business venture is a stepping stone to a higher vantage point, not a final destination. To snapshot her in the year 2024 would be like capturing a photograph of a comet; spectacular, but still in motion, promising to light up skies not yet seen.
In September, Tems found herself in the middle of a strange rumor, which indicated that she was pregnant with Future’s baby. Some thought Tems was trying to hide a baby bump in a paparazzi video, and from there, the rumor mill went to work and eventually spread the idea that Tems and Future had something going on.
Tems ultimately denied the rumor, writing on social media, “In conclusion, you people are all mad!!!” Tems says that while the theory was still active, though, she received some backlash, with some even going as far as to make death threats against her.
During an appearance on the Drive Time Show for The Beat 99.9 FM in her native Lagos yesterday (December 13), Tems said (as HotNewHipHop reports), “I didn’t actually think anybody believed it. I didn’t know it was serious, I didn’t know until I started getting messages, like death threats. Like, ‘How dare you! Of all the people in the world, Future? Really? Really, of all the people?’ And I’ve never even — I’ve never met him in my life. So, it’s crazy.”
Tems, meanwhile, has been getting back to music: She released “Me & U,” her first new song in two years, in October, and followed it earlier this month with “Not An Angel.”
Tems unveils her latest track, “Not An Angel,” available now via Since ‘93/RCA Records. The song, entirely written by Tems, is co-produced by the artist herself and Sarz. This release follows her recent hit, “Me & U,” marking her first solo venture in two years.
“This song is about knowing your worth and moving on in life from anything holding you back,” Tems said.
“Me & U” has enjoyed immense success, amassing over 45 million streams and maintaining a top-five position on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart for over seven weeks since its release. Tems continues to captivate audiences with her unique sound and artistic prowess. Additionally, fans can enjoy a breathtaking acoustic performance of “Me & U” alongside Guilty Beatz.
Tems has been developing a name for herself. The Nigerian-born multi-talented singer started releasing material to streaming back in 2018. However, things really started to take off for her around 2020 when she released her debut project, For Broken Ears. In terms of ingratiating herself with hip-hop listeners, Tems got a lot of people talking with her feature on Future’s 2022 record. That of course, was his album I NEVER LIKED YOU.
She landed on one of the hits from it, “WAIT FOR U,” with Drake. Before that, the 28-year-old also appeared on Drizzy’s 2021 tape, Certified Lover Boy. She provided her stunning voice on “Fountains.” Besides a few high-profile placements, Tems usually is quiet when it comes to new material.
Which is why it is exciting to talk about a new track. She has just come through with a self-confident ballad called “Not An Angel.” It features production from one of the most well-known Afro-beat producers, Sarz. He also just dropped a new track with Gunna and Asake. “Not An Angel” sees Tems sing about leaving a one-sided relationship. It is a powerful song about leaving someone who just takes and takes and having the mental strength to go through with it.
What are your initial thoughts on this brand-new single, “Not An Angel,” by Tems? Is she the best Afro-beats singer going right now? Do you think this sudden popularity in this genre will be a long-lasting thing in music? After hearing this song, should Tems drop a new album soon? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Tems. Furthermore, stay with us for all of the best song releases throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
’Cause I’m not an angel I’m just a girl that knows the truth And I couldn’t save you (Nah, nah) You couldn’t see what I’ve been through I’ll cut my losses in peace I don’t need nothin’ else from you
Tems‘ spiritual journey continues. Tonight (December 8), the Nigerian singer has shared “Not An Angel” her reflective new single on which she feels the need to move on after the end of a relationship.
Over sparse drums and pulsating beats, Tems is at more principled place, moving forward from the wreckage of a lost love.
“’Cause I’m not an angel / I’m just a girl that knows the truth / And I couldn’t save you / You couldn’t see what I’ve been through / I’ll cut my losses in peace / I don’t need nothin’ else from you /’Cause I’m not and angel / I know I did all I could do,” she sings on the song’s chorus.
Tems has become known for her personal approach to songwriting and lyricism. In an interview with Interview Magazine, she opened up about her songwriting process and how she lets her emotions lead the way.
“Sometimes I freestyle to a point where I can’t feel my feet. I’ve entered somewhere and I don’t even know where I am anymore,” she said. “I’m just pouring out my gut and then when I’m done, I don’t remember what I just did. If you didn’t record it, it’s almost as if I blacked out.”
Tems has been relatively quiet lately: She released “Me & U,” a new single, earlier this year, but that was her first new song in two years. Things have started to ramp up in Q4 2024, though. Following the aforementioned “Me & U” in October, Tems announced today (December 5) that she has another new song, “Not An Angel,” coming soon.
On social media, Tems shared what is presumably the single’s cover art, a blurry photo of what appears to be Tems in a squatting position. The post indicates the song is set for release this Friday, December 8.
Nigerian music sensations Burna Boy and Tems have become entangled in legal troubles as they navigated foreign lands. These incidents shed light on the challenges artists face when traveling abroad and the stringent consequences for diverging from foreign country laws. Burna Boy’s Bag Fumbled Burna Boy, known for his unfiltered lyrics, dropped a bombshell in […]
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