When it comes to tracing one’s passion, it’s not uncommon for artists to credit certain notable figures in their chosen field as major influences. For Nigerian singer and rising star Tems, her love affair with music began thanks to the legendary Canadian singer Celine Dion.
In a recent interview with Kendrick Lamar for The Interview Magazine feature, Tems shared that her fascination with music began at an early age. While she couldn’t recall the exact moment when she first heard music, she found herself increasingly drawn to the radio and the emotive tracks of Celine Dion. “Nigerians love Celine Dion. Her songs are very emotional, jump-off-a-cliff-type songs. They entered my soul. I think that’s where my love for music started,” she said.
It didn’t take long for young Tems to start writing her own tracks, which she describes as “verses of things I was feeling.” According to the rising star, music quickly became an “obsession” and the only thing that made her feel truly alive. “I can’t describe the feeling when I first got my first CD. It was a Destiny’s Child CD that was fake, it had 30 songs, and I learned them all,” she reminisces.
Despite humble beginnings as a young singer-songwriter in Nigeria, Tems has quickly become a global sensation with collaborations featuring artists like Drake and Beyonce. In 2020 and 2021, she put out the EPs For Broken Ears and If Orange Was a Place respectively. Today, she is working on her highly-anticipated debut album, which is sure to spell even greater success for the talented artist.
Celine Dion’s impact on music is undeniable, with fans around the world admiring her talent and the emotional depth of her tracks. For Tems, Dion’s music proved to be just the inspiration she needed to discover her own passion and embark on a career in the music industry. With her undeniable talent and trajectory towards international fame, it’s clear that she is paving her own way in the world of music.
