Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has revealed that despite wanting musical success, she was uncomfortable with fame.

Speaking in an episode of The Boost Podcast, Tems disclosed that for a long time, she hid her identity from fans because she didn’t want to be in the spotlight.

She explained that she wanted to continue her “secret life” while still making music.

“I would go to the airport and people say, ‘You’re Tems.’ I will be like, ‘No, I’m not Tems.’ I was so afraid, I wanted to continue my secret life, and I was like, ‘God please, I don’t want to be in the spotlight,’” she said.

The singer said she eventually started adapting to fame when she could no longer hide her fame.

Tems quit her job as a digital marketer to pursue a career in music in 2018. She released her debut single, “Mr Rebel,” the same year.

She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence.”

Legendary Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has paid glowing tribute to late colleague, Olu Jacobs, describing him as a peaceful and humorous personality.

Edochie, in an emotional video tribute to the late legend, also commiserated with his wife, Joke Silva, over the challenges she endured during his prolonged illness.

“Olu, my brother, you fought like a man.

“Joke, I commiserate with you for what you had to endure over a period of six years,” he said.

Edochie described Jacobs as a very humorous and peaceful colleague, recalling his distinctive personality and the impact he had on those around him.

He said although Jacobs’ death was painful, his life should also be celebrated.

“While we must mourn that Olu has gone, we should also be glad and celebrate Olu’s life.

“Of all our seniour colleagues who have gone, Olu was the only person who got up to 80 and beyond.

“The Good Book allows us three scores and 10, that is 70. Olu earned 14 years on top of that,” he said.

Edochie, however, acknowledged that the final six years of Jacobs’ life had not been what they had expected.

“Unfortunately, the past six years were not what we had projected or expected in any way.

“Like I said a thousand times, if God says it is time, then it is time,” he said.

The veteran actor expressed hope that one of Jacobs’ children would take up acting, saying this would help preserve the memory and legacy of the late actor.

“My one prayer is that one of Olu’s children takes to acting, so that whenever we look at him, we remember what Olu meant to all of us,” Edochie said.

He described Jacobs as the most seniour among their colleagues, and adding that the late actor treated everyone he interacted with accordingly.

Edochie also recalled words Jacobs had shared with his wife, urging Silva to hold on to them as she navigated life after his death.

“Joke, I want you to remember Olu’s words. Your problems are firmly behind you,” he said.

He ended the tribute with a reflection on the possibility of meeting Jacobs again after death.

“Joke, take care. Olu, well, if it is true that people recognise one another after they have gone, then there is a possibility that we will meet again,” Edochie said.

Jacobs died on Sept.16 at the age of 84, with his passing prompting   tributes from colleagues, political leaders and other Nigerians who acknowledged his contributions to theatre, television and the Nigerian film industry.

Among other feats, he was a recipient of several awards, including the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).(NAN)

British singer Jorja Smith has revealed that her collaboration with Nigerian star Wizkid on the track “Alive” originally belonged to the Afrobeats artiste before she took it on.

In a recent interview shared by AlbumTalksHQ on X on Wednesday, Smith explained the origins of the song, which appears on her new album.

‎“That’s actually the oldest song on the album because we did, that’s one of the first songs we started and Wiz had his verse and then going off the back of what he was saying it just, it was just reminding me of like driving down to meet someone.

‎“Like yeah and I don’t know there’s like a driving force in the song, a pull and yeah it was making me think of like the initial meeting, first chatting to someone’s stages, that vibe,” she said.

‎Smith described the track as being about finding new fresh love, noting that the music video was shot in Paris.

“I really like this song, it’s amazing. It’s about kind of finding new fresh love. Also the music video was in Paris, so it’s like love in the air,” she added.

‎Asked why Wizkid was the right feature for the song, the singer pointed to producer P2J’s earlier work.

‎“So P2J had that song with Wiz already and then I’d heard it and then I was, yeah,” she stated.

The British artiste further reflected on how the existing verse from Wizkid guided the direction of the record, turning what began as an early studio idea into a finished piece that captures the excitement and pull of a new connection.

‎She noted that the song’s driving energy and sense of movement stemmed directly from the Nigerian star’s contribution, making it a natural fit for the themes of fresh love running through the project.

‎The track “Alive” stands as a seamless blend of Smith’s soulful delivery and Wizkid’s signature Afrobeats flair, with the pair capturing the rush of new romance in a collaboration that began as the Nigerian star’s own idea before evolving into one of the standout moments on her latest album.