Tems’ net worth is estimated at $10 million as of 2026, making her one of the wealthiest female artists to emerge from Nigeria. Built on Grammy-winning collaborations, sold-out world tours, and a string of chart-topping solo releases, her rise from Lagos bedroom recordings to global superstardom is one of the most compelling wealth-creation stories in modern music.
| Full Name | Temilade Openiyi |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1995 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Height | 5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Net Worth | $10 Million (2026) |
| Record Label | Since ’93 / RCA Records |
| Known For | “Free Mind”, “Essence” with Wizkid, “Wait for U” with Future & Drake |
Walk Through the Article
How Does Tems Make Money?
| Income Source | Estimated Amount | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Streaming & Sales | $2–3M/year | Annual (personal) | Spotify, Apple Music royalties; “Free Mind” alone exceeded 500M streams |
| Songwriting Royalties | $1–2M/year | Annual (personal) | Co-wrote tracks for Future, Drake, Beyoncé; Kobalt Music publishing deal |
| Live Touring | $1.5–2.5M/year | Annual (personal) | Sold-out global tours across Europe, North America, Africa |
| Brand Endorsements | $500K–1M/year | Annual (personal) | Luxury and lifestyle brand partnerships |
| Sync Licensing | $200–400K/year | Annual (personal) | Film and TV placements, including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever |
| Estimated Total Net Worth | $10 Million (2026) | ||
Early Life & Background
Temilade Openiyi was born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria. Raised in the Bariga neighbourhood of Lagos, she grew up in a musical household where her mother’s background in music heavily influenced her early development. She attended Dowen College in Lagos for her secondary education before enrolling at the University of Lagos to study Economics.
During her university years, Tems began recording music independently in her bedroom, using basic but effective equipment. She taught herself production techniques and songwriting, developing a raw, melancholic sound that drew on R&B, soul, and elements of traditional West African music. She self-released her debut single “Mr Rebel” in 2018 with no label backing, relying solely on social media and streaming platforms to find her initial audience.
What set Tems apart from the outset was not just her vocal ability but her songwriting depth. While many of her contemporaries in Afrobeats prioritised uptempo party anthems, Tems gravitated toward more introspective territory — lyrics about heartbreak, independence, and emotional complexity that resonated deeply with young Nigerian audiences who felt underrepresented in mainstream Afrobeats. By 2020, her bedroom project had evolved into a full-time career, and the industry was beginning to take notice.
Career & Rise to Fame
The pivotal turning point in Tems’ career came in 2020 when Wizkid invited her to feature on “Essence,” a song from his acclaimed album “Made in Lagos.” The track became a global phenomenon, initially gaining traction across Africa before crossing over to international markets. A remix featuring Justin Bieber was released in 2021, propelling the song into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 — a historic first for a song featuring a Nigerian female artist.
Riding the wave of “Essence,” Tems released her debut EP “For Broken Ears” in late 2020, which contained the breakout solo single “Free Mind.” The track became a defining anthem for a generation of African music listeners and amassed over 500 million streams across platforms. She followed up with the five-track “If Orange Was a Place” EP in 2021, which further cemented her position as one of Afrobeats’ most distinctive voices and earned her multiple awards on the continent.
Her international profile exploded in 2022 when she appeared on Future’s smash hit “Wait for U,” which also featured Drake. The track debuted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tems one of very few Nigerian artists — and the first Nigerian female artist — to appear in the American top 10 as a lead featured artist. The same year, she contributed to Beyoncé’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack with “No Woman No Cry,” exposing her to a massive new audience worldwide.
In 2023, Tems won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her contribution to “Wait for U” — becoming the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy. Her debut full-length album “Born in the Wild” arrived in 2024, debuting at number 18 on the Billboard 200. She added a second Grammy in 2025 for Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe,” making her the first Nigerian artist to claim multiple Grammy Awards. By 2026, she had completed a second major world tour and established herself as the definitive voice of the new generation of African global pop.
Personal Life
Tems is known for keeping her personal life remarkably private given her public profile. She has spoken candidly in interviews about the mental health challenges that accompany rapid fame and the pressure of being seen as a trailblazer. In 2020, she was briefly detained in Uganda alongside fellow Nigerian artist Omah Lay following a concert that violated COVID-19 gathering restrictions — the incident drew significant international media attention and both artists were released shortly after.
She splits her time between Lagos and London, using the latter as a base for her international business operations and recording. Tems has increasingly used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness among African youth and to support emerging artists from the continent through mentorship and collaborative opportunities. She has spoken about the importance of retaining creative and business control — a philosophy that led her to establish her own record label, Since ’93, distributed through RCA Records.
Net Worth History
In 2019, Tems was an independent artist with minimal formal earnings. By 2021, following “Essence” going global, her estimated net worth had reached $1–2 million. The “Wait for U” collaboration in 2022 and her Grammy win in 2023 accelerated her brand value significantly, with estimates reaching $5–7 million. The release of “Born in the Wild” in 2024 and her second Grammy in 2025 pushed her earnings further. By 2026, with two Grammys, a debut album, ongoing world touring, and growing endorsement income, her net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million — a tenfold increase in under six years.
Little-Known Facts
- Tems wrote and produced much of her early music entirely by herself in her Lagos bedroom with no formal label support.
- She studied Economics at the University of Lagos before deciding to pursue music full-time.
- Her debut single “Mr Rebel” was self-released in 2018 through social media alone.
- She is the first Nigerian female artist to appear in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 as a featured artist.
- Tems founded her own record label, Since ’93, giving her creative control and ownership of her masters.
- She contributed to the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack, performing a version of “No Woman No Cry.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioh-eHs_XYM
What is Tems’ net worth in 2026?
Tems’ net worth is estimated at approximately $10 million as of 2026. Her wealth comes from music streaming royalties, songwriting credits for major international artists, sold-out world tours, brand endorsements, and the commercial uplift from her two Grammy Awards.
How did Tems get famous?
Tems rose to global fame through her 2020 collaboration with Wizkid on “Essence,” which later reached the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. Her solo single “Free Mind” became a massive streaming hit, and her feature on Future and Drake’s “Wait for U” in 2022 cemented her status as an international star.
Has Tems won a Grammy Award?
Yes — Tems has won two Grammy Awards. She won Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023 for “Wait for U” and Best African Music Performance in 2025 for “Love Me JeJe.” She is the first Nigerian artist to win multiple Grammys and the first Nigerian female artist to win the award at all.
Where is Tems from?
Tems was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, specifically in the Bariga area of the city. She now splits her time between Lagos and London, and remains one of the most prominent voices advocating for African creative talent on the world stage.
What record label is Tems signed to?
Tems is signed to RCA Records internationally through her own imprint, Since ’93, which she founded to maintain creative control over her music. This structure allows her to benefit from major label distribution while retaining ownership of her recordings.
How old is Tems?
Tems was born on June 11, 1995, making her 31 years old in 2026. She launched her professional music career at around 23 years of age, making her breakthrough at a relatively late stage compared to many pop stars — which she credits with giving her the maturity to handle sudden global fame.
What are Tems’ biggest songs?
Tems’ biggest songs include “Free Mind” (500M+ streams), “Essence” with Wizkid (Billboard Top 10), “Wait for U” with Future and Drake (Billboard Hot 100 Top 10), “Love Me JeJe” (2025 Grammy winner), and “Found” from her debut album “Born in the Wild.”
