Nigerian singer Tems noticed off the likes of Yemi Alade, Burna Boy and Wizkid to take house the Absolute best African Track Efficiency Grammy for her hit Love Me Jeje.
In an emotional acceptance speech on Sunday night, she mentioned her “middle was once beating so rapid”.
It’s only the second one yr for the reason that class’s creation, a transfer that was once broadly welcomed as a popularity of the affect of African artists at the world tune scene.
Alternatively, there was once some controversy this yr as US R&B famous person Chris Brown was once one of the vital nominees – for his tune Sensational, which accommodates Afrobeats components and lines visitor vocals from Nigerian artists Davido and Lojay.
Tems was once out of breath as she took to the degree after her identify was once learn out on the awards rite in Los Angeles.
“I do figure out however it isn’t appearing up presently,” she joked as she patted her middle to the amusement of the target audience.
The 29-year-old additionally praised her mom.
“Wow, expensive God thanks such a lot for placing me in this degree and bringing this staff, and the next day to come is my mum’s birthday and that is her first Grammys.
“I simply wish to thanks mum,” she mentioned gesturing against her, “as a result of she has completed so much for me and my brother.”
Love Me Jeje, which samples a line from Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 Nigerian vintage of the similar identify, has racked up 125 million listens on Spotify and 21 million perspectives on YouTube.
With Sunday’s prize, Tems has grow to be the primary Nigerian to have two Grammys to her identify after profitable the Absolute best Melodic Rap Efficiency in 2023 for that includes on Long run’s hit Wait For U.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has joined within the congratulations, commending the singer for bringing “satisfaction” to the rustic at the world degree for the “2nd time”.
Excluding the Absolute best African Track Efficiency, Tems was once nominated in two different classes – Absolute best World Track Album for Born within the Wild and Absolute best R&B Tune for Burning. Throughout her occupation she has now won 8 nominations in all.
She started making a reputation for herself in 2018 with the discharge of her self-produced debut unmarried Mr Rise up.
Tems received additional consideration in 2019 with Check out Me. Her global profile was once boosted after being featured on Wizkid’s tune Essence, which earned her a number of award nominations, together with one for a Grammy.
She has won quite a lot of accolades right through her occupation, together with more than one NAACP Symbol Awards, a Soul Teach Track Award and BET Awards.
