Popular Nigerian singer and producer, Temilade Openiyi, famously known as Tems speaks on the pressure that comes with being successful in the industry.
In a conversation published via Interview Magazine, the musician spoke with superstar rapper, Kendrick Lamar, about how she deals with the pressure that comes with success.
Tems said: “When you become more known or seen, it’s very easy to get caught up in, “What do people expect of me now?” But for me, it’s like, “What do I expect of myself now?” Because you’re the one that has to live with yourself, the one that has to sleep with the decisions that you make. Trusting yourself is so key, and I’m not going to stop trusting my guts just because people can see me now. It’s like being in a zoo. The animals don’t change their behaviour just because you’re looking at them. They’re always going to be who they are. So why should I change?”.
The “Crazy Tings” crooner further shared some advice that could be useful for artists.
“Yeah, you have to remember how you felt when you started as an artist, to understand the reason you’re doing what you’re doing,” she advised. “Yes, it’s to be seen, or to make a name for yourself, but beyond that, why are you doing it? Most of the time, it’s because you have a story to share, a message to give.”
Since her collaboration with Wizkid’s “Essence” became a worldwide hit in 2021, she has been on a winning streak. The song earned Tems her first feature on the Billboard Hot 100 at number nine.
The singer made history as the first Nigerian female artiste to debut at the peak of the Hot 100 charts in April 2022 with “Wait for U”.
