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Tems On Fame, Fashion And Her Journey From Lagos To The World In British Vogue

Published

4 months ago

11 July 2026

Ene Unazi

Photo: British Vogue

Tems is taking stock of a career that has carried her from Lagos to the global stage. In a new interview with British Vogue, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter discusses the choices, creative discipline and quiet conviction that have shaped one of music’s most distinctive voices.

Photographed by Nadine Ijewere and styled by Jessica Willis, the editorial presents Tems in a series of refined looks from leading fashion houses, highlighting the connection between her evolving musical identity and her expanding presence in fashion.

Photo: British Vogue

The feature also revisits her childhood in Lagos, where she describes herself as exceptionally quiet, revealing that she did not begin speaking until she was three years old. While naturally reserved, music became her earliest form of expression. She began writing songs at around nine years old and spent much of her childhood singing, a habit that continued regardless of attempts to distract her with schoolwork.

The conversation also turns to the artists who have influenced Tems’ creative outlook. She names Frank Ocean and Sade as her dream collaborators, revealing that she has followed Ocean’s music since his SoundCloud days. Tems recalls downloading every song she could find onto an iPod her uncle gave her, while crediting his lyrical approach as a lasting source of inspiration. British Vogue notes that traces of that influence can be heard in her soulful, conversational songwriting, even as she continues to shape a sound that is distinctly her own.

Photo: British Vogue

Since releasing her debut single in 2018, Tems has gone on to become one of Africa’s most celebrated artists. Collaborations with artists including Wizkid, Drake, Beyoncé, Future, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Dave have expanded her international profile, while her own catalogue has established her as one of contemporary R&B and Afrobeats’ most unique voices. She has earned two Grammy Awards.

Despite those milestones, Tems explains that external validation has never been the driving force behind her career. Rather than measuring success through awards or industry recognition alone, she says her focus remains on creating music that feels authentic to her. That perspective has become one of the defining themes of the British Vogue profile, highlighting an artist whose confidence comes from purpose rather than public approval.

Photo: British Vogue

Fashion occupies an equally important place in the conversation. Working with stylist Dunsin Wright, Tems has cultivated a fashion identity characterised by bold shapes, statement jewellery and luxury labels while maintaining a style that feels distinctly her own.

Away from music and fashion, Tems also discusses the next phase of her career. She reveals that new music is already in development as she continues exploring fresh creative directions. The interview also highlights the mentorship initiative she launched in 2025 to support young African women pursuing careers in music, reflecting a growing commitment to creating opportunities beyond her own success.

Photo: British Vogue

Now based in London, where she has lived for the past five years, Tems describes a life that has changed dramatically from the early days of recording independently in Lagos. Yet the qualities that first defined her career patience, conviction and creative independence remain unchanged. Those values continue to shape every new chapter, whether through music, fashion or the wider cultural conversations she increasingly influences.

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Cynthia Erivo to Play Tupac Shakur’s Mother in Snoop Dogg Biopic

Published

4 days ago

6 November 2026

Destiny Echobu

Photo: Instagram/@cynthiaerivo

British-Nigerian actress Cynthia Erivo will portray Afeni Shakur, the late mother of American rapper Tupac Shakur, in Universal Pictures‘ upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic, Snoop. Her casting was announced on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

Afeni Shakur was an American political activist and member of the Black Panther Party. Born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina in 1947, she joined the organisation in 1968 after attending a speech by its co-founder, Bobby Seale. In 1969, she was among 21 members of the Black Panther Party arrested in New York in the Panther 21 case and charged with conspiracy. Afeni represented herself during the trial and was acquitted in 1971, shortly before giving birth to Tupac.

Photo: Instagram/@cynthiaerivo

Tupac acknowledged his mother’s sacrifices in his 1995 track ‘Dear Mama’, from the album Me Against the World. The song reflected on Afeni’s struggles raising him as a single mother and remains one of his best-known records.

After Tupac’s death in September 1996, Afeni took charge of his estate, overseeing the release of his posthumous projects until her death in May 2016 at the age of 69.

Erivo has played several historical figures throughout her acting career. In 2019, she portrayed abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biographical film Harriet, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also played American singer Aretha Franklin in the third season of National Geographic’s anthology series Genius, titled Genius: Aretha. More recently, she starred as Elphaba in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked.

Erivo joins a cast led by Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Dogg, Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur, Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre, Lauren London as Snoop’s late mother, Beverly Tate, and Algee Smith as Warren G. Other cast members include Tre Hale as Suge Knight, Laya DeLeon Hayes as Snoop’s wife, Shante Broadus, Olly Sholotan as Kurupt, Corey Champagne as Nate Dogg, Jonica Booth as The Lady of Rage and SwayvoTwain as The Notorious B.I.G.

Photo: Instagram/@cynthiaerivo

Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur developed a close friendship before Tupac joined Death Row Records in 1995, where Snoop was already an established artist. Their friendship also extended to music, with the two rappers collaborating on ‘2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted’, a track from Tupac’s 1996 album All Eyez on Me.

Craig Brewer, whose previous directing credits include Hustle & Flow and Song Sung Blue, will direct the film. It is based on an original screenplay by Joe Robert Cole, with Brewer also handling a rewrite. Snoop Dogg will produce alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker. The biopic will also feature music from Snoop’s catalogue.

Production is underway in Southern California and is scheduled for release on August 6, 2027.

Celebrity Style

Celebrities Spotted at Lagos Fashion Week 2026

Published

1 week ago

3 November 2026

Laju Odogwu

Photo: Instagram/@mide__iwasokun

Lagos Fashion Week 2026 brought together designers and fashion enthusiasts, with Nigerian celebrities also made appearances at the five-day event. From Chioma Goodhair to Liquorose and Frances Theodore, several familiar faces were spotted throughout the week, with each bringing a different look to the fashion gathering. Their outfits included a beaded zigzag-stripe dress, a lace-trimmed blue skirt and a swirl-print two-piece set.

Photo: Instagram/@chiomagoodhair

Chioma Goodhair wore a long, fitted Kilentar dress to the label’s presentation on October 29. The dress flared slightly at the hem and had brown, orange and cream zigzag stripes, small beads along the stripe edges and a halter neck with a thin gold strap. She accessorized with big round brown earrings, a matching clutch, and gold bracelets. Her shoes were cream open-toe heels and her hair was styled in an updo.

Photo: Instagram/@liquorose

Liquorose wore an outfit from Deradim Femme: an oversized blue long-sleeve jacket with a wide collar, worn open over a brown lace bra top, paired with a long, fitted blue skirt with brown lace details at the waist. She accessorized with long gold drop earrings, a small dark clutch, while her hair was pulled back into a bun.

Photo: Instagram/@francestheodore

Frances Theodore wore a black and white swirl-print set by Amure to Onalaja’s Spring/Summer 2027 show on October 28. The “Re: Birth” collection debuted at London Fashion Week before been presented in Lagos. The set featured a twisted halter crop top and a wrap skirt with a high slit and a black and white fringe hem. She completed her look with a white beaded bag from The Maison Mystic and black heels.

The event’s theme, ‘CRAFTED: Heritage. Innovation. Circular Futures.’, was reflected in the looks through details such as beading, lace and fringe.

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Tyler Perry Reveals Why He Has Chosen to Stay Away From Marriage

Published

2 months ago

16 September 2026

Destiny Echobu

Photo: Instagram/@tylerperry

Tyler Perry has explained why he has no plans to get married, saying his decision is influenced by what he has seen people lose financially after divorce.

The actor, filmmaker and producer spoke about his decision during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show while promoting his new Netflix film, Why Did I Get Married Again? The movie is the third instalment in Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? franchise, which began in 2007.

When Jennifer Hudson asked Perry if he planned to get married, he answered, “Nope.” When asked if he simply did not want to marry, Perry clarified that marriage itself was not his concern.

Photo: Instagram/@tylerperry

“It’s not the marriage that bothers me. It’s the divorce,” he said.

Perry explained that he has seen financially successful people go broke after divorce.

“Everybody that I know that did well and went broke, it was because of a divorce,” he added.

His Why Did I Get Married? films have followed couples dealing with problems in their relationships, even as Perry has chosen not to marry in his own life.

Perry, 57, was previously in a long-term relationship with model and filmmaker Gelila Bekele. The pair were together from 2009 to 2020 and share an 11-year-old son, Aman.

During an appearance on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle, he said he plans to move to Puerto Rico with Aman at the beginning of 2027 and cut back on his workload.

Photo: Instagram/@tylerperry

“Yes, I’m moving to Puerto Rico at the beginning of the year and I’m going to slow down a whole lot,” Perry said.

Meanwhile, Why Did I Get Married Again? continues the story of the couples from the earlier films. The new movie takes the characters to Lake Como, Italy, for the destination wedding of Marcus and Angela’s daughter.

Perry wrote, directed and stars in the film, which also features returning cast members Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Richard T. Jones, Sharon Leal and Lamman Rucker, with Taraji P. Henson also joining the cast.

Why Did I Get Married Again? began streaming on Netflix on September 9, 2026.