Nigerian singer Tems delivered a captivating performance of her emotional ballad “What You Need” on The Tonight Show the previous evening, demonstrating her artistry with a live ensemble and supporting vocalists. The stripped-back performance represented a notable TV appearance for the artist, who has steadily risen through the international music scene since her 2018 debut. The song, which serves as the opening track from her latest EP Love Is a Kingdom, was released the previous autumn and sees Tems asserting her independence with the declarative lyric: “I’m better on my own, you’re better when you’re gone.” Written and produced by Tems in partnership with her regular collaborator GuiltyBeatz, the track showcases the emotional depth and resonance that has emerged as her hallmark.
A Touching Instance on Late-Night Television
The Tonight Show visit marked a key moment in Tems’ ascendant career trajectory. Her rendition of “What You Need” demonstrated the singing precision and raw emotion that have established themselves as signature qualities of her artistry. Accompanied by a full live band and additional vocalists, she controlled the stage with a understated assurance, allowing the song’s introspective lyrics to resonate with the audience. The orchestration emphasised the track’s melancholic beauty whilst showcasing her capacity to convert original tracks into engaging concert renditions that captivate viewers internationally.
For American TV viewers, the show gave a window into the world of one of Africa’s most compelling contemporary artists. Tems has devoted the last few years consistently developing her global presence, from her standout appearance on Wizkid’s 2021 breakthrough single “Essence” to her following work with Drake and Future. This performance on one of America’s most prestigious late-night platforms constitutes another step in her continued expansion beyond African borders, solidifying her status as a truly global music creator with something significant to express via her music.
The History Behind ‘What You Require’
“What You Need” emerged as a thoughtfully constructed statement of personal liberation, written and produced by Tems in partnership with her long-standing creative partner GuiltyBeatz. The track’s genesis reflects a intentional artistic process, with both artists channelling their collective experience into a composition that resonates with emotional authenticity. Arriving in the autumn as the debut single from Love Is a Kingdom, the song immediately captured listeners’ interest through its unflinching exploration of the end of relationships and self-realisation. The production combines sparse instrumentation with Tems’ powerful vocal performance, creating space for the song’s core theme to land with maximum impact.
The single emerges as part of Tems’ broader artistic evolution following her 2024 debut album Born in the Wild, which itself constituted a result of years spent developing her artistry since her 2018 breakthrough with “Mr Rebel.” During this span, she has displayed remarkable growth as both a artist and writer, progressing past feature appearances—encompassing her standout moments on Wizkid’s “Essence” and the Drake and Future collaboration “Wait for U”—to cement herself as a principal voice in current African music. “What You Need” reinforces this transformation, presenting her as an artist open to investigating emotional depth whilst asserting her artistic independence.
Independence and Emotional Clarity
At its core, “What You Need” functions as an declaration of personal autonomy. The lyric “I’m better on my own, you’re better when you’re gone” embodies the song’s central thesis: sometimes the most compassionate choice is acknowledging when a partnership has reached its end. Rather than lingering in resentment, Tems tackles the subject with clarity and composure, giving listeners a guide for navigating their own personal turning points with dignity and resolve.
Tems’ Path to Global Acclaim
- Launched with “Mr Rebel” in 2018, positioning herself a distinctive voice in Nigerian music.
- Released debut EP For Broken Ears in 2020, succeeded by If Orange Was a Place in 2021.
- Attained breakthrough success with signature tracks including “Damages” (2020) and “Free Mind” (2022).
- Built global recognition through featured appearances on Wizkid’s “Essence” and Drake and Future’s “Wait for U”.
- Established superstar status with debut album Born in the Wild in 2024, preceding current EP Love Is a Kingdom.
Tems’ rise from promising newcomer to established international artist demonstrates a masterclass in sustained artistic development. A six-year period separated her debut single and her first EP release, a timeframe she used to refine her unique vocal style and songwriting sensibility. Rather than following fleeting commercial trends, she cultivated a committed following through strategically timed releases and purposeful partnerships. Her presence on high-profile tracks with prominent African and worldwide artists elevated her profile considerably, yet she has repeatedly championed creative authenticity above market demands. This measured approach has finally established her as one of modern music’s most esteemed figures.
Love Is a Realm and What Follows
Following the strong commercial performance of her 2024 debut album Born in the Wild, Tems has sustained her rising trajectory with the release of Love Is a Kingdom, an EP that showcases her artistic evolution and emotional richness. The work arrived with “What You Need” as its lead track in autumn, promptly establishing the groundwork for a more introspective and intimate project. The partnership with longtime producer GuiltyBeatz underscores Tems’ investment in partnering with established creative collaborators who comprehend her creative vision, creating a cohesive sonic landscape that combines vulnerability paired with undeniable power.
The performance on The Tonight Show functioned as a powerful showcase for the EP’s emotional core, with Tems’ stripped-back arrangement allowing her remarkable vocal ability to come to the fore. Accompanied by live instrumentation and backing vocalists, she presented a rendition that transcended conventional broadcast performances, converting the venue into an immersive sonic moment. This strategy emphasises her development as a performer who declines to concede on authenticity, even when performing for large numbers of people watching American TV.
Scheduled Live Shows
Tems’ concert itinerary remains quite limited, with only three confirmed dates currently announced. She is set to headline All Points East festival in London in the month of August, one of the summer’s most prestigious music events. Additionally, she has arranged two concerts in Bristol, England, occurring in August, indicating a deliberate concentration on UK dates for the rest of the year.
