Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems has shared a deeply personal reflection on how her rise in the music industry reshaped her outlook on life, relationships, and emotional openness.
In a recent interview with Doose Of Society, the globally acclaimed artist revealed that before stepping into the spotlight, she struggled with hyper-independence—a trait that often led her to distance herself from others.
According to Tems, her journey as a professional musician forced her to confront and unlearn habits that no longer served her growth. The experience of creating music and connecting with a global audience played a pivotal role in her emotional evolution.
“Being an artist has changed my life,” she said. “It made me grow. I had to shed a lot of habits that were holding me back—one of those things was my hyper-independency and the tendency to push people away.”
The singer added that she has since learned to embrace love more freely, allowing herself to be vulnerable without discomfort. “I have now learned to just be open, to give love and be vulnerable without feeling odd,” she explained.
Tems began her music career in 2018 with her debut single Mr Rebel, but her breakthrough moment came in 2020 after featuring on Essence by Wizkid—a track that gained global acclaim and helped cement her place on the international stage.
Since then, she has collaborated with major global stars including Drake, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. With two Grammy Awards to her name and a record-breaking streaming presence, Tems has become one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artists, recently surpassing 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
