Tems has built a solid reputation for herself. One of Nigeria’s biggest breakout stars, she continues to deconstruct and redefine what it means to be a global artist on her own terms.

After what seemed like an agonizing wait for a definite release date of her debut album, Born in the Wild is finally on the horizon, slated to drop in May 2024.

In the interim, revisit five (5) of her most amazing songs below:

Higher

“Higher” is a stirring track by an artist who is following nobody but herself. She battles loss but still, her voice soars over the minimalist production, featuring atmospheric synths, as she sings determinedly of overcoming whatever obstacles. She’s jaded but even more dead set. The song can be reasoned as a foreshadowing of Tems’ career trajectory. She affirms, “Higher than all the limits…big tunes, now it’s big tunes I’m killing.” 

These Days

Though not as mainstream, “These Days” stands out as a contender for one of her best numbers. On the record, Tems’ vocals are, as usual, rich and expressive, effortlessly shifting between smooth lower tones and powerful highs. She swings between a regretful tone and a conciliatory almost pleading edge: “I know your love is trouble…but I didn’t mind it…you’ll be with me ‘til the grave.”

Mr Rebel

“Mr Rebel” contains unobtrusive instrumentation backed by mood and mystery. Tems’ engrossing, stop-and-listen voice enters, and the overall quietness turns into a soft spotlight, capturing attention. The somewhat vague lyrics combined with the magnetic production that accommodates steady, head-nodding clicks add to its appeal. The ballad is Tems’ official introduction to the world as the Leading Vibe.

Me & U

“Me & U” is a multipurpose song. It is essentially a track exalting a steadfast love but lends itself to different interpretations of the exact type of love. The song starts with a slow melody. However, the mood shifts with the introduction of groovy beats.

The singer has been very clear of her disinterest in tallying with the sonic zeitgeist, substituting Afrobeats production with soulful melodies, but here, she finds a way to incorporate it without losing herself. While Tems has not proven herself to be among the most gifted songwriters of her generation, the message in “Me & U” is quite clear.

Free Mind

“Free Mind” is a mid-tempo cut where Tems reflects over thoughts of escapism. Exploring the longing for peace from the strain of survival over steady basslines, it has gone on to be her most commercially impactful song to date. It reached #1 on the US Afrobeats Songs chart, #5 on the US R&B Songs chart, and #1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. It peaked at #28 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #22 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, hitting #1 after 33 weeks.