Nigerian music sensation Tems caught fans off guard on Friday with the unannounced release of Love Is a Kingdom, a seven-track extended play that showcases the artist’s evolving sound while maintaining the introspective sensibilities that have made her one of Africa’s most compelling musical exports.
The surprise drop, released through Since ’93 and RCA Records, marks Tems’ first solo body of work since her critically acclaimed 2024 debut album Born in the Wild, which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album and solidified her position at the forefront of contemporary Afrobeats.
Clocking in at under 20 minutes, Love Is a Kingdom is a deliberately concise offering that finds the singer-songwriter exploring themes of romance, autonomy, and spiritual awakening. The tracklist—comprising “First,” “I’m Not Sure,” “Big Daddy,” “Lagos Love,” “Mine,” “What You Need,” and “Is There a Reason”—weaves together Afrobeats rhythms with alternative R&B textures, a sonic palette that has become Tems’ calling card.
According to press materials accompanying the release, the EP represents an “exploration of love, power, and spiritual clarity,” with Tems taking on both writing and production duties for the majority of the project—a testament to her growing confidence as a complete artist rather than merely a vocalist.
The project’s focus track, “Big Daddy,” finds Tems in a confrontational mood, directly challenging an unreliable romantic partner. “Where were you when there was no one around? / Where were you when I needed someone down? / What were you doing when nobody gave a damn?” she demands over a pulsing beat, balancing emotional vulnerability with rhythmic sophistication.
While 2025 has seen relatively limited solo output from the artist born Temilade Openiyi, Tems has maintained a robust presence in the global music conversation through strategic collaborations and high-profile appearances.
Her feature work this year has included contributions to UK rapper Dave’s “Raindance,” a remix of Ciza’s “Isaka II” alongside fellow Nigerian star Omah Lay, and an appearance on Justin Bieber’s “I Think You’re Special” from his SWAG II project. Most recently, she lent her distinctive vocals to “You Get Me” from Show Dem Camp’s Afrika Magik album.
On the live circuit, Tems performed at Afropunk Brasil on November 9 and made an appearance at GQ’s Men of the Year ceremony in London, continuing to build her international profile beyond the recording studio.
The new EP arrives as Tems continues to ride momentum from Born in the Wild, an album that represented a watershed moment not just for the artist but for Nigerian music more broadly. The project peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard 200—at the time, the highest chart position ever achieved by a female Nigerian artist on the prestigious albums chart.
Beyond commercial success, Born in the Wild earned critical recognition, landing a nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Its standout single “Love Me Jeje” claimed the trophy for Best African Music Performance, adding to Tems’ growing collection of accolades.
The Lagos-born artist had previously won a Grammy in 2023 for her contribution to Future and Drake’s “Wait For U,” and made history in July 2024 as the first African artist to perform at a Club World Cup final—a milestone that underscored her crossover appeal and cultural significance.
The decision to release Love Is a Kingdom without prior announcement reflects a broader shift in music industry strategy, where artists increasingly bypass traditional promotional cycles in favor of immediate fan connection. For Tems, the approach allows the music to speak for itself, free from the weight of expectations or extended anticipation.
As streaming numbers begin to roll in and fans dissect the EP’s seven tracks, one thing remains clear: Tems continues to chart her own course, balancing artistic introspection with commercial ambition while carrying the torch for a new generation of African artists redefining global music on their own terms.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Tems has surprise-released her first solo project since 2024’s critically acclaimed Born in the Wild. The seven-track EP Love Is a Kingdom, which she largely wrote and produced herself, explores themes of love and spiritual clarity in under 20 minutes.
While maintaining a lower solo profile in 2025, Tems has stayed relevant through high-profile collaborations with Justin Bieber, Dave, and others, plus major live performances.
The unannounced drop reinforces her position as one of Africa’s most influential musical voices and continues the momentum from her Grammy-nominated debut album—which made history as the highest-charting project by a female Nigerian artist on the Billboard 200.
