“It Was Now or Never” – Tems Opens Up About Risking It All to Chase Her Music Dreams

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi—better known to the world as Tems—has opened up about the life-changing decision to walk away from her 9-to-5 job to pursue music full-time. Looking back, she says it felt like a moment of truth—one where she had to choose between playing it safe and following her destiny.

In a candid interview with Billboard, the Love Me Jeje singer recalled how fear and self-doubt nearly held her back—but deep down, she knew the corporate world wasn’t where she was meant to be.

“It got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore,” Tems said. “It was dawning on me, like—it’s now or never. I needed to leave that place. It felt like this could make or break my destiny, and I had to decide.”

Tems eventually leapt in January 2018, quitting her digital marketing job. It would be another seven months before she released her debut single, Mr Rebel—a bold introduction that marked the beginning of her rise in Nigeria’s alté music scene. It wasn’t an overnight success, but she stayed the course.

Then came her breakthrough moment in 2020, when she featured on Wizkid’s Essence—a global smash that soared to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidified her as a rising star on the international stage.

By 2022, Tems made history as the first African artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to her feature on Future’s Wait For U alongside Drake. The song earned her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023.

Tems’ journey is one of bold choices, unshakable faith, and trusting the voice within. What started with walking away from job security has grown into a trailblazing career that continues to inspire millions around the world.