Nigerian musician, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems , has spoken about how she came about her own style of music.
The singer stated this in an interview with Dazed Magazine.
She said her determination to be first in whatever she does pushed her to create her own style of music.
She said “I already had music that I liked and I didn’t know I was looking for a sound. But I just thought, before all these songs were made, there was somebody who made this song, started this trend, or started singing like this first. And then other people followed them. I don’t want to be somebody that follows.
“I don’t want to be the ‘after’ person. I want to be the first. So if I’m going to be the first person, what I bring, there can be nothing like it. One thing I know for sure is I’m the first of my kind, whatever my kind is.
“If I win an award or I’m doing great things for years, and not once do I mention anyone else, [things will] just remain the same.
“Just acknowledging them for the fact that they exist, that they’re putting themselves out there, that there’s another great woman like me, another mad artist like me, is the only way we’re going to make a difference. It won’t happen unless someone with a platform brings it there.”
