Tems Draws the Line: “My Music Is R&B, Not Afrobeats”
Singer, Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems has spoken candidly about how her music is often classified, insisting that she identifies her sound as R&B rather than Afrobeats.
Speaking during an interview on Hot 97, Tems expressed frustration with the tendency of music blogs and platforms to categorize her work as Afrobeats simply because she is an African artiste.
“I’m not an Afrobeats artist. I classify my music as R&B every time I release music,” Tems said.
The singer’s comments highlight a broader conversation about how African music is often placed under broad genre labels, sometimes overlooking the distinct sounds and influences of individual artists.
For Tems, the music should be allowed to speak for itself beyond the limitations of a label. While her sound incorporates elements associated with African music, she believes her artistic identity is rooted firmly in R&B.
Her position also reflects the growing diversity of African music, as artists continue to experiment with different genres and sounds while reaching audiences across the world.
Rather than being defined solely by where she comes from, Tems wants her music to be heard and understood on its own terms.
