I Am British On Paper, But Nigerian In Reality – Tems Clarifies

Tems has clarified in a new interview that she is primarily Nigerian and that she is only a British citizen on paper.

The Grammy award-winning singer (she won the Best Melodic Rap Performance category for her contribution to the hit song Wait for U with Future and Drake at the 65th Grammys) said that she spent most of her childhood in Nigeria and that the music she listened to there served as her influence.

When questioned if her English ancestry has an impact on the type of music she releases, Tems responded in the affirmative during an interview on Jazzys World TV.

“I mostly grew up in Nigeria, so I’m mostly Nigerian. I am only British on paper,” she said.

Tems was born on 11 June 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father. Shortly after being born, she moved to the United Kingdom from Nigeria but returned to the latter country at the age of 5 following her parents’ divorce.

Tems resided in Ilupeju before moving to Lekki and later Ajah. Tems attended Dowen College for her secondary education and Monash South Africa for her tertiary education.

At school, she was noticed by her music teacher and learned to play the piano. She practised singing with her brother and often used his guitar accompaniment.

Source – Tru News Report