After delivering a mesmerizing performance of “Not an Angel” at the Billboard Women in Music event, Tems was honoured with the Breakthrough Award.
The prestigious accolade was presented to Tems by Savannah James, who disclosed that Future’s Grammy-winning Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, “Wait for U”, featuring Drake and Tems, is her personal favourite.
During the acceptance speech, Tems admitted she had prepared a speech but forgot everything at the moment. Amidst applause and a fan proclaiming, “You’re the best!”, Tems shared her gratitude.
“One thing that’s uniquely special to me is that I’m in a room full of amazing women, and I’m standing with a continent behind me. I’m standing with the people behind me, and it makes me feel like I’m part of something just being in this room.”
In a heartfelt dedication, Tems honoured “the first woman I ever met”, her mother, who defied Yoruba tradition by choosing Tems’ name, Témìládè Openiyi. Traditionally, such decisions are made by the father’s side of the family. Tems‘ mother, as explained in For Broken Ears’ “Témìládè Interlude”, revealed that “God told me” to name her daughter.
Reflecting on her name, Tems shared, “I really want to use this opportunity to say to all the women in the room, in the world, that no matter what you’re going through, you should know you’re not alone. So even when you’re sad, even when you’re angry, there’s someone that’s angry, too. So uplift everybody around you because they need that like you, and somebody’s there for you. It’s the women that got the women, trust me.”
