Nigerian music sensation Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, added another prestigious accolade to her growing list of achievements at the inaugural Billboard Global Power Players Event held on Wednesday at Shoreditch House in East London, England.
The Grammy-winning artist was honored with the Diamond Award, recognizing her transformative impact on the global music scene, particularly in elevating African music to unprecedented heights.
The star-studded event saw Tems sharing the spotlight with music industry titan Sir Elton John, who received the Creators’ Champion Award, and EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami, who was presented with the Clive Davis Visionary Award.
The ceremony, a celebration of innovation and influence in the global music industry, also marked the launch of Billboard’s first-ever U.K. Power Players chart, underscoring the publication’s commitment to spotlighting trailblazers across continents.
Tems’ Diamond Award was presented by Nkosiyati Khumalo, Billboard Africa’s incoming editor, in a moment that highlighted the Nigerian artist’s meteoric rise. In her acceptance speech, Tems expressed gratitude for Billboard’s role in amplifying African music and culture.
“Being African and a musician is a whole new world, and I feel like Billboard has been so supportive of not just African music but the whole scene and the culture,” she said.“This has been a really great honor, especially given that African music is moving to heights that has never been seen before, and Billboard is one of the key players in moving that needle forward in Africa.”
The event also celebrated the contributions of EMPIRE’s Ghazi Shami, whose award was presented by Nigerian music icon and YNBL label boss Olamide. Shami’s Clive Davis Visionary Award recognized his innovative leadership in building EMPIRE into a powerhouse that has championed independent artists, including many from Africa.
Sir Elton John’s Creators’ Champion Award acknowledged his decades-long influence as a songwriter, performer, and advocate for the creative community.
Tems’ recognition at the event further cements her status as a global ambassador for African music. Already the most-awarded African artist in Billboard’s history, she made history last year as the first Nigerian woman to be honored at Billboard’s Women in Music Event.
Her soulful voice, genre-blending sound, have resonated with audiences worldwide, earning her a Grammy, an Oscar nomination, and a legion of fans. Her contributions have been instrumental in the global rise of Afrobeats, a genre that continues to dominate charts and playlists.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
At Billboard’s inaugural Global Power Players Event in London, Nigerian superstar Tems was honored with the Diamond Award, recognizing her pivotal role in elevating African music to unprecedented global heights. Sharing the stage with icons like Sir Elton John and EMPIRE’s Ghazi Shami, Tems’ achievement underscores the rising influence of African artists and Billboard’s commitment to amplifying their impact, highlighted by the launch of the U.K. Power Players chart.
