Tems opens up about how her ‘dark past’ propelled her to greatness
Nigerian afro-pop singer and songwriter Tems has recently opened up about how her upbringing helped her achieve great heights in her career.
Growing up in the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria, alongside her brother Tunji and mother, Tems disclosed that she was a remarkably introverted child. The artiste, now celebrated for her confidence, admitted to ‘The Cut’, that she didn’t utter her first words until the age of three. Despite her silence, a love for singing resonated within her from an early age.
“I was always in my own little world. I wasn’t very social,” Tems shared with the American women’s magazine.
As she unfolded her past, Tems revealed the challenges she faced during her formative years. The singer disclosed that her journey to self-discovery was marred by the cruelty of peers who bullied her to tears. Her voice, deeper and distinct, became a point of ridicule as she struggled to fit into societal expectations.
An excerpt from The Cut exposed the struggles Tems faced, stating, “She didn’t speak much, didn’t have much of a social circle, and her status as an outcast made her a target of ridicule. Sometimes she would cover her head with a blazer, and she kept mostly to herself.”
Even beyond the confines of school, unsolicited comments and advice from strangers regarding the pitch of her voice contributed to a decline in Tems’ self-esteem. She began to believe that her voice was unattractive, often comparing herself unfavorably to other girls with softer tones.
“All the other girls had these sweet, high voices, and my voice had bass,” Tems shared.
It was during her secondary school years that Tems found her self-confidence. Under the guidance of her music teacher, she embarked on a transformative journey toward confidence and self-acceptance, and eventually the once introverted girl, burdened by societal expectations, evolved into the unapologetically confident artiste adored by fans worldwide.
“If you think I sound like a man, I think that’s pretty cool—I’m gonna sound more like a man, I started to want that deepness. I wanted to lean into my weirdness,” declared the singer.
Today, Tems stands tall in the realm of afro-beats, dropping bangers every other day.