Self-taught music producer and global star, Ms Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, has disclosed that she “started doing music to share my story and to share my emotions and how I feel.”
In a chat with CNN’s Larry Madowo on the latest episode of African Voices Changemakers, the Lagos-born singer expressed satisfaction that she is now using her platform to open the door for other women in the entertainment industry and beyond.
“Maybe it’s because I’m a woman and I remember my journey and I remember all the things that I had to go through, but I really want to help women to create a tangible space in all industries, especially music.
“But not just in music, in entrepreneurship, in tech, in business. I think it’s important and I want to give women the opportunity to redefine what people know,” the Grammy-winning artist stated.
Apart from music, Tems has interests in sports, owning a football club in the United States, San Diego FC, the first African woman in that kind of role.
“I think it’s really important to expand or diversify yourself and your business. And I think that that was like the first time I was really like interested in something else that wasn’t music,” she explained the reason for looking outside music for earnings.
Tems is the first Nigerian to debut at Number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and as she said, the journey has not been without challenges, but she’s navigated the pressures of the industry while holding onto the creative freedom that makes her music distinct.
“Music is like my playground. I just like to experiment. I’m listening to so many different sounds and I just notice things that call out to me, and I save them. Most of the time I just make sure that I’m discovering new things all the time, even when I’m not in the studio.”