Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, turned heads not only with her dazzling appearance at the 2025 Met Gala in New York but also with her powerful message to the world: look beyond the stereotypes and experience the richness of Africa firsthand.
In a heartfelt conversation with Fashion Bomb Daily on the iconic Met Gala red carpet, Tems used her platform to celebrate the beauty and diversity of African culture, urging foreigners to immerse themselves in the authentic African experience starting with Nigeria and Ghana.
“I always encouraged people to go to Lagos and Ghana for vacation. Just go and see for yourself before you make an opinion [about Africa]. See it for yourself and see how you feel,” she said.
The globally acclaimed singer emphasized that Africa’s true allure lies in its creativity, resilience, and deep-rooted traditions. “I think it [the beauty of Africa] is in the creativity, the daily efforts, the looks, the songs, the traditions and the cultures,” Tems added, painting a vivid picture of a continent teeming with vibrancy and innovation.
Beyond culture, Tems also addressed the often-narrow perception of African music in global circles. While Afrobeats has undeniably dominated international charts in recent years, the singer stressed that African music is far more expansive and dynamic.
“We [Africans] can go further in every single aspect of sound. We are not just Afrobeats. There is Amapiano, Afrosoul, R&B, Afro Jazz. There are so many genres in African music that people are not all the way tapped into yet,” she said, calling attention to the rich musical tapestry that exists across the continent.
Tems’ words echo a broader movement among African creatives who are using their voices and visibility to challenge outdated narratives and invite the world to see Africa through a more informed, appreciative lens.
From the grandeur of the Met Gala to the heartbeat of Lagos and Accra, Tems is bridging worlds one statement, one song, and one culture-rich moment at a time.
