'I would have become an accountant or maths teacher if not for music' - TEMS

Nigerian music star Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, has opened up about the career path she might have followed if she had not ventured into music.

The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer made the revelation during an interactive session with fans on X on Tuesday. Responding to a question about her alternative career choice, Tems said she would likely have become either an accountant or a mathematics teacher.

“If music didn’t work, what else do you think you would be doing today?” a fan asked.

“I might have been an accountant or a mathematics teacher,” Tems replied.

Before rising to fame, Tems had earlier revealed that she resigned from her job as a digital marketer in January 2018 to fully pursue her passion for music.

She released her debut single, Mr Rabel, in July 2018, which received significant attention in Nigeria. However, her global breakthrough came in 2020 after her feature on Wizkid’s hit song Essence.

The remix featuring Justin Bieber propelled the song to number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, launching Tems into international stardom.