Nigerian Grammy-winning singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has finally broken her silence on the long-running debate surrounding her rise to fame and her collaboration with Wizkid on the global hit song, “Essence.”
The singer, who has often stayed away from controversies, decided to clear the air after years of subtle jabs from Wizkid’s fans who insist that she owes her career breakthrough to the Ojuelegba crooner.
Speaking candidly during a recent interview, Tems stated that while she has immense love and respect for Wizkid, it was wrong and disrespectful for people to continually downplay her contribution to “Essence” and her overall journey as an artist.
“Wizkid did not make me famous. His fans should stop moving mad. I love him, but let’s not twist the story. Essence was written by me,” she declared.
The debate about who deserves credit for Essence has been one of the most heated discussions in the Nigerian music scene.
Since the song’s release in 2020, it became a global anthem, breaking records and earning both artists international recognition.
However, as Tems’ solo career began to soar, Wizkid’s fans have often reminded her that without that collaboration, she might have remained unknown.
She, however, believes her talent speaks for itself, adding that long before “Essence,” she had already started gaining attention for her unique sound and songwriting ability.
“People who really followed my journey know I had songs like Try Me and Mr Rebel before Essence came along. I was already building something,” she said.
Insiders close to both artists revealed that tensions between Tems and Wizkid’s fan base started after she became an international sensation, winning awards and collaborating with stars like Drake, Beyoncé, and Future.
Many Wizkid FC members accused her of being “ungrateful” for not constantly crediting Wizkid for her success, while Tems’ supporters argued that her artistry and penmanship were what made “Essence” a masterpiece.
The controversy deepened when Tems reportedly refused to perform “Essence” at a major international show, claiming she was focusing on her own projects.
That decision sparked outrage among Wizkid fans who interpreted it as a snub.
“It’s not that deep,” Tems explained. “Every artist has a right to grow. I can’t be tied to one song forever.”
Industry observers have often pointed out that collaborations like “Essence” thrive because of mutual talent, not hierarchy.
A music critic noted, “Wizkid’s platform helped the song reach the world, but Tems’ soulful writing and delivery made it unforgettable. You can’t separate the two.”
Despite the public back-and-forth, Tems maintains that there is no bad blood between her and Wizkid.
“Wiz is cool. We’ve always had mutual respect. It’s just the fans who keep making it look like a war. He knows my worth, and I know his,” she said with a calm smile.
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