Fans worldwide are thrilled as Nigerian music sensation, Tems, releases her first full-length album titled “Born in the Wild”.
After the great success of her previous two extended plays (EPs), this debut album boasts 18 fantastic songs, including collaborations with famous American rapper J. Cole and the talented Nigerian artist Asake, who is signed with the YBNL record label. The album showcases Tems’ incredible talent and is a must-listen for her adoring fans and music lovers alike.
The songs on Tems’ new album tackle various topics, from relationships and love to her journey as an artist.
We’re given a glimpse of her personal life with interludes featuring spoken words from her mother and managers, which adds depth and dimension to her music.
Each song tells a story, giving listeners a rare insight into Tems’ world and experiences.
In the interlude, “Special Baby,” we hear Tems’ mother expressing pride in her daughter’s accomplishments, encouraging her to continue on her path. She says “Temi keep walking.”
The interlude’s title seems to echo her mother’s words from Tems’ first EP, “For Broken Ears”, where she had called Tems a “special baby,’ as if she knew her daughter was destined to win a Grammy and bag Oscar nomination for her work within just one year!
The lead single from Tems’ album, “Me & U”, is a fine blend of gospel and Afrobeats. It was a perfect way to whet the appetite ahead of the release of Born in the Wild.
“Wickedest”, a dance track, adds a fun twist by incorporating samples from Magic System’s popular 1999 hit “1er Gaou”.
You enjoy the nostalgia and Pan-African cultural flavour.
“Get it Right” is an unexpected collaboration between Tems and Asake, the talented Nigerian vocalist signed to the YBNL record label. With the infusion of Amapiano beats, this catchy tune is sure to get people moving and grooving!
Tems uses the track “Burning” to express the emotional turbulence she’s experienced as a result of her rapid rise to fame, hinting at struggles she’s kept private until now. She sings “‘How it feel?’ It’s killing me.” Her vulnerability resonates through the 90s R&B-inspired tune.
“Ready” on the other hand, has a steamy, sensual rhythm that is quite relaxing.
ALSO READ: Nigeria’s Tems Takes Home a Grammy, on Her Own Terms
On the track “Gangsta” she did some impressive rap singing and boasted “don’t nobody else do this sh!t like me!” And we agree.
The song title “T-Unit” isn’t just similar to American rapper 50 Cent’s famous record label G-Unit. Tems also paid homage to 50 Cent: “Take her to the candy shop, she knows she got it all.” Her rap performance on T-Unit is especially endearing.
The track “Unfortunate” might turn out to be a heartbreak anthem. Tems sings about how unfortunate it is to be dealing with the wrong guy. She first performed the mellow, laid-back song during her Tiny Desk Concert on June 3, 2024.
On the piano-driven track, “Boy O Boy,” she vented her frustration about a man she wants to choke out for raising her blood pressure and giving her blood pressure.
“Hold On” highlights the obstacles that often accompany personal development and transformation. The song emphasises the importance of perseverance.
Also worthy of mention is the album’s second single and fan-favourite, ‘Love Me JeJe’ ( JeJe means ‘gentle’). A groovy sample of a classic by singer-songwriter Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit featuring Shaffy Bello.
The beauty of the album is its ability to take listeners through hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and Afro-beat – while maintaining its cohesiveness.
If there’s any minus, the duration of most tracks is just two minutes and a few seconds. Quite short for such a bundle of goodness!
Standout Tracks
Burning and Unfortunate.
Album Rating
8/10
