Nigerian singer Tems became a subject of gossip earlier this year after rumors were circulated that rapper Future had impregnated her. The rumors in question stemmed from a video of her appearance at Burberry’s Summer 2024 fashion show in London, Rap-Up reported.
The video, which showed her wearing a jacket covering a part of her tummy, caused some people to suggest she was pregnant. And though she later shut down that rumor in a post on X (formerly Twitter), she recently revealed some people actually took issue with the pregnancy claims.
“I didn’t actually think anybody believed it. I didn’t know it was serious. I didn’t know until I started getting messages, like death threats,” the Me & U singer said on Lagos-based The Beat 99.9 FM’s Drive Time Show. “Like, ‘How dare you? Of all the people in the world, Future? Really? Really, of all the people?’ And I’ve never even — I’ve never met him in my life. So, it’s crazy.”
Those rumors have since died down. Born Temilade Openiyi, the 28-year-old singer rose to stardom after her Essence single with fellow Nigerian musician Wizkid became a global hit. She has since become a coveted musician both locally and internationally.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Tems co-wrote Lift Me Up, the lead single for the 2022 Marvel movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The single, which was performed by Rihanna, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Rapper Future also featured her on his Wait For U track. That song also won the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
During a sit-down with Kendrick Lamar for Interview Magazine, the Not An Angel singer touched on making new music. “I want to make music that makes me pull my heart out, and if I can’t do that, I don’t want anything,” the 28-year-old said.
“I would rather do that and be broke than compromise. I didn’t really care about the money. It’s not that money is bad. Money is very good. But for me, even right now, I’m chasing a frequency.”