Grammy-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has opened up about her extraordinary rise, revealing that her success has far surpassed anything she once imagined while working a corporate 9-to-5 job.

The “Burning” singer shared the reflection during an interactive session with fans on X (formerly Twitter), answering questions about her career journey and future goals.

When asked, “What are you currently looking forward to? Also would you say you’ve achieved all of your dreams prior to stardom?” Tems replied with humility:

“I’m looking forward to whatever the Lord has in store and honestly I’ve achieved beyond my dreams from when I had a 9-5.”

Her response quickly went viral, resonating with thousands of followers who have witnessed her transformation from an independent artist in Lagos to a global music sensation.

From Corporate Desk to Global Stages
Born Temilade Openiyi, Tems left her digital marketing job in 2018 to pursue music full-time—a bold move that initially carried uncertainty but became the turning point of her career.

Her big break came in 2020 when she featured on Wizkid’s summer hit Essence, later appearing on the remix alongside Justin Bieber. The track reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking one of the highest-charting songs by a Nigerian artist and introducing Tems to global audiences.

Making History at the Grammys
Tems has since broken multiple barriers for African music internationally. In 2023, she became the first female Afrobeats artist to win a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance through her collaboration on Future’s Wait for U.

The following year, she cemented her legacy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards by winning the inaugural Best African Music Performance for her solo hit Born in the Wild, further establishing Afrobeats as a dominant global genre.