Tems Receives Diamond Award At Billboard Global Power Players Event In London

Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, was honoured at Billboard’s inaugural Global Power Players Event held on Wednesday at Shoreditch House in East London.

Tems received the prestigious Diamond Award, presented by Nkosiyati Khumalo, the incoming editor of Billboard Africa. The award recognises her influence and contribution to the global music scene.

In her acceptance speech, Tems praised Billboard for its continued support of African music and artists.

“Being African and a musician is a whole new world and I feel like Billboard has been so supportive of not just African music but the whole scene and the culture,” she said. “This has been a really great honor, especially given that African music is moving to heights that have never been seen before, and Billboard is one of the key players in moving that needle forward.”

Other honourees at the event included British music legend Sir Elton John, who received the Creators’ Champion Award, and EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami, who was presented with the Clive Davis Visionary Award. Nigerian rap icon and YBNL label boss Olamide presented Shami’s award.

The event also marked the launch of Billboard’s first-ever UK Power Players chart.

Tems continues to break new ground as the most-awarded African artist in Billboard’s history. Last year, she made history by becoming the first Nigerian woman to be honoured at Billboard’s Women In Music Event.