Multiple grammy-winning artist reflects on life before global fame
Nigerian singer, songwriter, and global music sensation, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has offered fans a candid glimpse into the life she might have led if her extraordinary music career had never taken off.
During an interactive session with fans on the social media platform X, the artist revealed the unexpected, more conventional professions she would have pursued, creating a sharp contrast with her current status as an international cultural icon.
When a fan posed the question, “If music didn’t work, what else do you think you would be doing today?”, Tems gave a surprising response. She disclosed that her alternative career path would have landed her in the world of figures and education, stating, “I might have been an accountant or a mathematics teacher.”
This revelation highlights a hidden inclination toward numerical and academic pursuits, professions grounded in precision and structure, which stands in stark contrast to the fluid, creative, and often chaotic world of contemporary music stardom. This unexpected glimpse into her potential past has sparked fresh discussions among her followers, contemplating the quiet professional life she traded for global stages and chart-topping hits.
The strategic pivot from corporate life to musical pursuit
Tems’s current career is the result of a deliberate and risky pivot from a conventional corporate environment. Prior to her rise to fame, the singer previously revealed that she held a job as a digital marketer. The shift from this stable, white-collar profession to the unpredictable world of music came in January 2018, when she made the definitive decision to quit her job and commit fully to her artistic destiny. This move required immense self-belief and courage, as the entertainment industry in Nigeria is notoriously difficult to break into without substantial backing.
Just months after leaving the corporate world, Tems released her debut single, ‘Mr Rabel,’ in July 2018. The track quickly gained significant traction within Nigeria’s burgeoning music scene, serving as a powerful initial indicator that her risk was paying off. While the song established her unique sound and voice locally, it was merely the groundwork for the colossal global fame that awaited her, achieved through tenacity and a distinct artistic vision.
Global ascension fueled by essence and grammy recognition
Tems’s career trajectory transformed dramatically following her feature on fellow Nigerian star Wizkid’s 2020 single, ‘Essence.’ The track became a global phenomenon, often dubbed the “song of the summer,” and was instrumental in catapulting the Afrobeats genre to mainstream international recognition.
The momentum intensified with the release of a remix featuring pop star Justin Bieber, which propelled ‘Essence’ to a peak position of number 9 on the highly influential Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. This breakthrough marked Tems as a singular talent and a face of the new wave of African music.
Since then, her career has only accelerated, leading to her winning multiple Grammy Awards and securing collaborations with global heavyweights such as Drake and Future. Her distinctive voice and production style have made her an undeniable force in the global music landscape, earning her praise not only for her artistry but also for her powerful self-determination. Her decision to abandon a predictable career for an unknown musical path has since paid off with immense critical acclaim and commercial success, validating her initial leap of faith.
The stark contrast of ‘what if’
The contrast between Tems’s current life—filled with sold-out tours, platinum plaques, and red-carpet appearances—and the life of an accountant or a mathematics teacher is stark. While an accountant would spend their days managing ledgers and financial statements, and a teacher would dedicate their time to shaping young minds in the classroom, Tems commands global attention, with her creative output influencing fashion, music, and culture internationally.
Her hypothetical choice reveals a pragmatic, intelligent side to the artist, hinting at a strong aptitude for critical thinking and problem-solving, skills essential in both music production and mathematical instruction. The idea of the multi-award-winning superstar, whose music has soundtracked millions of lives, instead teaching algebra or balancing books, is a profound reminder of the diverse talents and paths available to individuals.
Ultimately, while she may have excelled in the quiet precision of mathematics or accounting, the world is arguably richer for the unique, soulful sound she chose to share instead, transforming her passion into global influence.
