Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems has finally addressed the long-standing debate surrounding her rise to fame and her collaboration with Wizkid on the chart-topping hit Essence.
In a rare and candid interview, the Free Mind hitmaker spoke openly about the years of online chatter from Wizkid’s fanbase, who often credit the Ojuelegba crooner for her success.
Tems, who is known for keeping her personal views out of public drama, said she felt it was time to set the record straight.
“Wizkid did not make me famous. His fans should stop moving mad. I love him, but let’s not twist the story. Essence was written by me,” she stated firmly.
Tems emphasized that while she has deep respect for Wizkid and values their collaboration, it was unfair and disrespectful for people to downplay her creative contribution to Essence and her growth as an artist.
Since its release in 2020, Essence has become a global anthem, earning both artists international acclaim and reshaping Afrobeats’ global sound.
Yet, as Tems’ solo career continued to soar, with collaborations alongside Drake, Beyoncé, and Future, some fans of Wizkid accused her of being ungrateful for not consistently attributing her rise to him.
Tems pushed back against that narrative, reminding listeners that she was already on her way up before the collaboration.
“People who really followed my journey know I had songs like Try Me and Mr Rebel before Essence came along. I was already building something,” she explained.
Sources close to both artists say the tension between Tems and Wizkid’s fanbase grew after she became a global star, with her artistic independence sometimes mistaken for pride.
The debate resurfaced when she reportedly declined to perform Essence at a major international show, focusing instead on her new projects.
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