The singer’s mother was born in Ogun, Nigeria, but she spent the major part of her life in Lagos. Simbo got a great education at Beckenham Convent School. Then, she got a degree in medicine from the University of Ibadan. That was just the beginning of Simbo’s education. Later she gained a string of degrees and accolades, including a doctorate in health administration from the Atlantic International University of Miami. For many years, Mrs. Davidson worked as a physician. But it’s not her notable medical career she is known for. Many people address Mrs. Davidson just as “Mama Tems”.
Simbo is a well-educated woman, who has a perfect upbringing. Tems’ mother was one of five kids in her parents’ family. She had two sisters and a twin brother. She was six when her father decided to teach her to play the piano. She took music lessons both, in her home country and abroad, as her family was moving from one country to another. Her family’s nomadic lifestyle was the sequence of her father’s career. He was involved in the Foreign Service.
When Simbo became a mother of Tems, she also encouraged her daughter to take music lessons. At the same time, she didn’t force her to take any exams or to learn music on a pro level.
But Tems, who couldn’t speak till she turned three, was bullied by her peers. That made her escape from people and devote herself to music. In her childhood years, Tems was keen on such musicians as Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. She also listened to “Destiny’s Child” songs a lot.
Simbo knew, that her daughter had a great talent in music. But she had never thought, that would become Tems’ career. That’s why she made her daughter enter Monash University College in Johannesburg to study economics.
Raphael Openiyi (father)
Tems’ father is British-Nigerian. With his wife Simbo and their two kids, Temilade and Tunji, he resided in London. When Tems was five, her parents separated. She was raised mostly by her mom. Her father stayed in London when her mother moved the kids to her house in Ilupeju, Lagos, Nigeria.
In her interviews, Tems says, her parents’ divorce didn’t have a big impact on her. Her mother has been bringing Tems up as a single parent since the girl turned five. That’s why Tems remembers being just with her mom since the time she became conscious. Her father is absent from the family picture.
Tems siblings
Tunji Openiyi (older brother)
Tunji is Tems’ older brother. They spent a lot of time together when they were kids. Tunji’s mother encouraged the boy to practice music, although she never pressed him. That’s why the boy eagerly played the guitar. With Tems, very often they sang together. Tunji and Tems had different musical tastes – he was keen on rock-type bands, like “Coldplay”, while she liked R&B. But he accompanied his little sister and they arranged mini-concerts at home. They co-wrote songs, too.
In 2015, Tunji got a diploma as an engineer.
Bio
Despite of her young age, Tems has already become a sensation. She was catapulted to stardom in 2020 when she presented a single “Essence”. That song occupied the 8th position on the Billboard Hot 100. Later she recorded the remix of “Essence” with Justin Bieber, which brought Tems the Grammy Award nomination.
In 2023, she won a Grammy with the rapper Future’s song “Wait for U”, to which she contributed alongside the Canadian sensation Drake. Tems’ success is especially precious for Nigerian people, as she is the first female artist from her country to win a Grammy nomination.
Temilade Openiyi (her government name) was born in Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to London at the age of three with her Nigerian mother and British father. After her parents’ separation, Tems moved to Lagos, where she grew up.
Encouraged by her music teacher, Tems sang in a choir and wanted to give music a chance, But her mother insisted, she should study economics, that’s why Tems left music for a while. After graduating from an economy school, she found office work, but then felt, it wasn’t her cup of tea. That’s why Tems made a bold decision – she quit the job and started from scratch.
She gained initial popularity, by posting her songs on social media platforms. In 2018, she finally met her big break, having released the single “Mr Rebel”.
In 2024, Tems presented her debut album “Born in the Wild”. It got a high critical appraisal.
Interesting and fun facts
During her years at economics school, she still dreamed of making music. Being a student, with the help of her producer, she did her first show in SA. She opened the concert of Cassper Nyovest, a famous South African rapper.
Tems was brought by a religious mother. In her childhood, her mom encouraged the girl to listen to Christian music. Nowadays, the music star is a faithful Christian. Often, she says a prayer, when feels insecure.
At a young age, Tems has already got an Oscar nomination. That was for the song “Lift Me Up”, which served as a soundtrack to the movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. She co-wrote that single with Rihanna.
Tems is a big fan of teas. She drinks them all the time, even if the weather is hot. Her favorite tea blend she makes by herself from the leaves she buys at the market near her house in London.
Her height is 5 ft 9 in. Her weight is 132 pounds.
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