Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has opened up about the challenges she faced at the start of her career, revealing how unwanted attention and industry misconceptions affected her confidence and creative journey.
Battling Distraction and Misconceptions
In a recent interview, Tems reflected on her early days in the music industry, explaining that she often went to recording studios alone, determined to build her craft and learn music production on her own terms.
“I used to not always like my body, crazy as it seems, but I just didn’t understand a lot of things,” she shared.
She described reaching out to producers and studio owners herself, eager to share her ideas and grow as an artist.
“I was going to a lot of studios alone, meeting people I had never met before. I would message people and tell them I’ve been working on something and I want to share it because I know I have something. I wanted to learn how to produce because my objective was simple — I just want to make music. I don’t really care about politics or anything here, I just want to learn.”
Protecting Her Focus
Tems explained that, at the time, she became conscious of how her appearance sometimes drew attention away from her work. To maintain professionalism and avoid unwanted advances, she adopted a deliberate strategy.
“If me being attractive is disturbing you and stopping me from achieving my goal, I’m going to help you,” she said. “So when I go to the studio, I wear baggy clothes and I’m in my ‘alpha’ mood because I want you not to be seduced by me.”
According to her, the approach often worked, as people could sense she was serious about her craft. “Most of the time it works because they can tell she’s just here to work — and we work.”
Breaking Norms in Nigerian Music
The singer added that staying focused allowed her to create music that stood out from conventional sounds in Nigeria at the time.
“It’s unheard of to do this type of music as a Nigerian in Nigeria,” she said, noting that her determination ultimately helped shape her distinctive sound and global appeal.
Her candid reflections have resonated with many fans, sparking conversations about women navigating male-dominated industries and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision.
Watch the video below…
“I used to hate my body, because men always approach me in the studio and i didn’t like that ”
— Tems says during an interview. pic.twitter.com/d6ymBFnRE4
— 👾vaa (@reawiteva) February 18, 2026
