By Anifowoshe Oladipupo
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, was among the honourees at the inaugural Billboard Global Power Players event held on Wednesday at Shoreditch House in East London, England.
Tems received the Diamond Award, which was presented by the incoming Billboard Africa editor Nkosiyati Khumalo.
“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.
“This has been a really great honor, especially given that African music is moving to heights that have never been seen before, and Billboard is one of the key players in moving that needle forward,” the Oscar-nominated star said in her acceptance speech.
Tems is the most awarded African artist in Billboard’s history. In 2023, she became the first Nigerian woman to be honoured at the Billboard Women in Music event.
