15/5/2025
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Temilade Openiyi professionally known as Tems has revealed the motivation behind quitting her job.
The Grammy-winning singer said she was driven by a sense of divine direction.
Speaking to Billboard in an interview, Tems said she felt confined in her job and believed music was her true calling.
After waiting six months, she released her first single, “Mr Rebel,” which gained traction.
She said, “I quit my digital marketing job because] it got to a point where I couldn’t take anymore. It was really dawning one me like, it’s now or never. I was just putting it off until I developed faith that God will see me through wherever I go.
“I quit my job in January 2018, I released ‘Mr Rabel’ six or seven months after I quit my job. Spiritually, I was aware that digital marketing wasn’t my path, I need to leave this place right now. It felt really like life or death. It was like this can make or break your destiny, and you need to make a decision right now. I chose to quit and it worked out.”
Tems gained prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 global hit, “Essence,” which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
She also became the first African artist to debut No. 1 on the Billboard HOT 100 chart with Future’s song, “Wait 4 U,” featuring Drake.
The song won a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap in 2022.
Recently, Tems won another Grammy for Best African Music Performance for her song “Love Me Jeje”.