Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar Tems is set to take the stage at the Obama Presidential Center Grand Opening Ceremony this Thursday, joining a historic lineup of global music icons in Chicago.
The Obama Foundation officially confirmed the performer lineup on Tuesday, placing the “Love Me Jeje” singer among legends including Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, U2’s Bono and The Edge, and John Legend. The ceremony marks a monumental moment in Tems’ global rise, positioning her on one of the world’s most prestigious stages at a celebration of legacy and community.
“This Grand Opening ceremony will be unlike any other, filled with music, performances, and hope, ” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation.
The event will take place at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday at the center’s John Lewis Plaza, located at 6001 South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago’s Jackson Park. While the ceremony is invite-only for thousands of dignitaries and guests, the public can experience the event via a global livestream on the Obama Foundation’s official website, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok channels.
Tems will perform alongside The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Common, Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony, and actress-producer Marsai Martin. Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will deliver keynote remarks at the dedication ceremony.
Tems’ rise from a digital marketer in Lagos to a Grammy-winning global music icon is one of the most compelling stories in contemporary music. Her breakout collaboration with Wizkid on “Essence” became a global phenomenon, and she made history at the 67th Grammy Awards as the first Nigerian female artist to win a solo Grammy. Her feature on Future and Drake’s “Wait For U” earned her a first Grammy, and her solo hit “Love Me Jeje” secured a second.
The Obama Presidential Center officially opens to the public on Friday, June 19, coinciding with Juneteenth. For Tems, the performance represents another milestone in a career that continues to defy expectations.
