By Johnson Esther –Nigerian songstress Tems has opened up about what truly matters to her as she navigates the tricky terrain of fame. For her, success and inner peace come first, the spotlight is something she accepts, not something she lives for.
“I Want to be True to Myself.”
In a recent interview with Kendrick Lamar for Interview magazine, Tems reflected on how much has changed since her breakthrough. She admitted that while being more visible brings expectations from others, what matters most is the expectation she has of herself.
Using a vivid metaphor, she likened fame to being in a zoo; watched, observed, judged, yet animals don’t change simply because someone is watching. Why, she asks, should she change either?
Tems’s journey hasn’t been without its hardships. Before global recognition, she lived through financial instability. There were times she struggled to feed her family, even resorting to stealing food. Those experiences, she says, shaped her view of what success truly means. It isn’t just hits or applause; it’s being enough for yourself, and helping others when you can.
Fame has brought perks, but also costs. Tems says she can no longer enjoy simple freedoms, like driving herself around Lagos, but without an entourage or security. She admits she sometimes misses anonymity, independence.
At first, she rejected much of the public’s demands. She’d speak bluntly, confront rumors, attempt to live like before, but slowly realised the need to recalibrate.
Why Is Fame Just a Bonus?
For Tems, fame is never the goal. Comfort, integrity, message, craft are. She emphasises remembering why one started, to stay connected with one’s art. She acknowledges there are people, moments, forces beyond her that helped her rise: her team, faith, persistence. When asked whether she’d choose fame, she implies she’d rather chase fulfillment, even if that means fewer limelight moments. Her art, message, and self-worth remain the compass.
What this Means for Tems & Her Fans
Tems’s stance is both a lesson and a kind of manifesto; success doesn’t need to cost your peace. It pushes back against the narrative that to be successful you must surrender yourself to fame. For her fans, there’s something inspiring here, you can aim big, be seen, but still stay anchored.
Tems isn’t chasing fame for its own sake. She wants comfort, growth, authenticity. If fame happens along the way, well, that’s a welcome bonus.
