Tems Had Just N200 When We Met, Manager Reveals
Muyiwa Awoniyi, manager to Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, recently shared that their first meeting was far from glamorous. According to Awoniyi, Tems had only N200 in her bank account when their paths first crossed.
Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Awoniyi recounted how Tems’ determination and drive stood out, despite her financial challenges. He explained, “There was something about Tems that made me rethink the usual artist-manager arrangement. Instead of a standard contract, I suggested we start a company together.”
He described how unusual it was for an artist to chase after paperwork, saying, “When I agreed to be her manager, I told her I’d send a contract. Normally, artists hesitate, but Tems was eager for me to sign my part. That was a first for me. It made me realize she was someone I could build something lasting with.”
Before their professional partnership, Awoniyi and Tems had been friends for about three months, never discussing business. During that time, while Awoniyi recorded his podcast, Tems would quietly sit by, even though she had no source of income.
Awoniyi recalled, “When I met Tems, she only had about 200 Naira to her name. If I had money, I’d buy food, but what amazed me was that even with so little, she’d still order food for us. She didn’t have a way to earn, yet she was generous and different from anyone I’d met in Nigeria.”
The story highlights Tems’ resilience and unique spirit, qualities that have helped her rise from humble beginnings to international stardom.