Nigerian singer Tems performed a captivating performance of her emotional ballad “What You Need” on The Tonight Show the previous evening, showcasing her artistry alongside a live band and backup singers. The intimate rendition marked a significant television moment for the artist, who has steadily risen through the international music scene since her debut in 2018. The track, which functions as the lead single from her latest EP Love Is a Kingdom, was released the previous autumn and sees Tems demonstrating her autonomy with the declarative lyric: “I’m better on my own, you’re better when you’re gone.” Penned and created by Tems in partnership with her regular collaborator GuiltyBeatz, the track highlights the emotional depth and resonance that has become her signature style.
A Poignant Instance on Late-Night TV
The Tonight Show appearance marked a significant milestone in Tems’ rising career path. Her performance of “What You Need” showcased the singing precision and raw emotion that have established themselves as core elements of her creative vision. Accompanied by a backing band and supporting vocalists, she dominated the stage with a quiet confidence, letting the song’s inward-looking verses to connect with the audience. The arrangement accentuated the track’s melancholic beauty whilst demonstrating her skill in transforming recorded versions into compelling live performances that mesmerise viewers across the Atlantic.
For American television audiences, the performance offered a glimpse of the world of one of Africa’s most captivating modern musicians. Tems has invested considerable time over recent years steadily building her international profile, from her debut collaboration on Wizkid’s 2021 hit “Essence” to her later partnerships with Drake and Future. This performance on one of America’s most prestigious late-night platforms constitutes another milestone in her sustained development beyond African borders, solidifying her status as a truly global music creator with real substance to communicate through her music.
The Story Behind ‘What You Require’
“What You Need” stood as a carefully crafted expression of personal liberation, written and produced by Tems in partnership with her long-standing creative partner GuiltyBeatz. The track’s origin speaks to a deliberate creative process, with both artists channelling their collective experience into a piece that connects through genuine feeling. Arriving in the autumn as the debut single from Love Is a Kingdom, the song immediately captured listeners’ interest through its unflinching exploration of relationship dissolution and personal discovery. The sonic landscape combines sparse instrumentation with Tems’ powerful vocal performance, making room for the song’s central message to land with maximum impact.
The single comes as part of Tems’ extensive artistic progression after her 2024 inaugural album Born in the Wild, which itself constituted a product of years spent honing her craft since her 2018 debut with “Mr Rebel.” During this span, she has shown remarkable growth as both a singer and composer, progressing past feature appearances—such as her standout moments on Wizkid’s “Essence” and the Drake and Future joint project “Wait for U”—to cement herself as a principal voice in current African music. “What You Need” reinforces this transformation, establishing her as an artist open to investigating personal exposure whilst maintaining her creative autonomy.
Autonomy and Emotional Clarity
At its heart, “What You Need” functions as an anthem of personal autonomy. The lyric “I’m better on my own, you’re better when you’re gone” encapsulates the song’s core message: sometimes the most loving decision is acknowledging when a partnership has reached its end. Rather than remaining in resentment, Tems tackles the subject with poise and clarity, offering listeners a guide for navigating their own personal turning points with dignity and resolve.
Tems’ Route to Worldwide Success
- Debuted with “Mr Rebel” in 2018, carving out a unique sound in Nigerian music.
- Released debut EP For Broken Ears in 2020, followed by If Orange Was a Place in 2021.
- Secured major breakthrough with standout singles such as “Damages” (2020) and “Free Mind” (2022).
- Earned worldwide attention through collaborations on Wizkid’s “Essence” and Drake and Future’s “Wait for U”.
- Solidified superstar status with debut album Born in the Wild in 2024, preceding present EP Love Is a Kingdom.
Tems’ rise from promising newcomer to acclaimed worldwide musician represents a masterclass in ongoing artistic evolution. Six years separated her first release and her inaugural EP, a period she invested to refine her unique vocal style and songwriting sensibility. Rather than chasing short-lived market trends, she cultivated a loyal audience through carefully considered releases and calculated features. Her presence on high-profile tracks alongside renowned African and international stars enhanced her prominence greatly, yet she has continually emphasised creative authenticity over commercial expediency. This calculated strategy has eventually established her as one of modern music’s most esteemed figures.
Love represents a Kingdom and The Future
Following the commercial success of her 2024 first album Born in the Wild, Tems has continued her upward trajectory with the unveiling of Love Is a Kingdom, an EP that demonstrates her developing artistry and emotional resonance. The project arrived with “What You Need” as its opening single during autumn, instantly setting the foundation for a more introspective and intimate body of work. The partnership with longtime producer GuiltyBeatz demonstrates Tems’ commitment to working with reliable creative partners who comprehend her artistic vision, producing a unified sonic landscape that combines vulnerability paired with undeniable power.
The performance on The Tonight Show served as a striking demonstration for the EP’s emotional centre, with Tems’ minimalist approach allowing her remarkable vocal ability to come to the fore. Accompanied by live instruments and backing singers, she performed a version that surpassed typical television appearances, transforming the venue into an immersive sonic moment. This strategy highlights her development as a performer who declines to concede on artistic integrity, even when playing to large numbers of people watching American TV.
Upcoming Live Performances
Tems’ touring schedule remains fairly restricted, with only three confirmed dates revealed so far. She is set to headline All Points East festival in London during August, one of the year’s most celebrated cultural occasions. Additionally, she has arranged two shows in Bristol, England, also taking place in August, pointing to a concentrated focus on UK dates for the rest of the year.
