Tems has officially arrived on one of fashion’s biggest stages. The Nigerian superstar graces the cover of British Vogue’s July 2026 issue, photographed by the acclaimed Nadine Ijewere in a striking visual spread that showcases pieces from Givenchy, Chanel, Dior, and Saint Laurent. In an intimate interview that spans her quiet Lagos childhood to global superstardom, the two-time Grammy winner reflects on the journey that took her from singing around the house as a quiet girl who barely spoke until age three, to collaborating with Beyoncé, Drake, and Justin Bieber. “I was mad quiet,” she admits of her early years, “but they could not stop me from singing”.
The cover story captures Tems at a pivotal moment in her career. Since quitting her marketing job to pursue music in 2018, a decision that was met with skepticism, she has shattered records as the first African female artist to top the UK Singles Chart and the first Nigerian with two Grammy wins. Now based in London, she’s working on new music with a clear creative vision. “I don’t really think I’m a singles kind of artist. I feel like I’m more of a project kind of person,” she explains, adding that the music she’s writing is making her “feel good”.
Beyond the accolades, Tems has channeled her success into lifting others through the Leading Vibe Initiative, a mentorship program launched in 2025 to support emerging women in music across Africa . The initiative recently held its first in-person program in Lagos, bringing together producers, artists, and songwriters for workshops and skill-building sessions. “When I started as an artist, I had to teach myself everything,” she says. “There are many women with the same drive and potential, but without access to the right tools or network”.
For someone with two Grammys, a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, and now a British Vogue cover, Tems remains grounded. “I try not to be like, ‘Oh, I really need to get this Grammy,'” she says. “That’s a lot of pressure. Even if nobody listens to this song ever, I will enjoy this song for myself”. Her cover moment is more than a milestone, it’s a testament to staying true to the music, no matter how loud the world gets.
