Born Temilade Openiyi, she reluctantly studied economics at Monash University South Africa in Johannesburg before taking up a job in digital marketing back in Lagos, all the while remaining committed to her vision. In 2018, she quit her job and independently wrote, produced, recorded and released her debut single, ‘Mr Rebel’. Over time it became a sleeper hit, which caught the attention of Afrobeat pioneer WizKid. In awe of her unique, alté voice he invited her to feature on his song ‘Essence’, which soon turned her into a global sensation. At its peak the track reached No 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and even resulted in a Grammy nod for the then 25-year-old.
But this year it’s all about her and her debut album. ‘It’s about the aftermath. It’s about how I feel now,’ she says. ‘All the experiences I’ve had now and just allowing myself to breathe and accept myself. Having fun and finding love, finding joy, finding peace. Having the audacity to take risks.’