Listen

Tems Launches ‘Leading Vibe Radio’ on Apple Music 1

Published

2 years ago

March 31, 2022

Nigerian singer-songwriter, producer and Apple Music Up Next alum Tems has announced ‘Leading Vibe Radio’, a new biweekly radio series airing on Apple Music’s global live-streaming radio station Apple Music 1. On ‘Leading Vibe Radio’, Tems says she will be “shining a light on women, artists, and creatives that are finding their way, finding their voice, and talking about how to be good soil—something that greatness can grow out of,” and bring “Africa to the world.”

The inaugural episode of Leading Vibe Radio is an introduction to Tems, her co-hosts and her new show. She answers questions from her co-manager Muyiwa and brother Tunji, and shares details, stories and thoughts about her life, her childhood, her creative process and her taste in music. The trio expands on the episode’s broad theme of ‘Leading The Vibe’, as we eavesdrop on honest and real conversations, soundtracked by a personally curated playlist featuring some of Tems’ favourite songs and artists, old and new.

Video trailer, key quotes and image below. If you’re able to use, please credit to Leading Vibe Radio with Tems on Apple Music 1.

Leading Vibe Radio with Tems will air biweekly on Saturdays on Apple Music 1 at 7am PT / 3pm UK, beginning April 2nd.

Listen live for free at or anytime on-demand with an Apple Music subscription at apple.co/_LeadingVibe

VIDEO | Leading Vibe Radio with Tems: Trailer

Watch: https://embed.apple.media/public/assets/player.html?id=62438f5193af9f00010078d2

Tems tells Apple Music about ‘Leading Vibe Radio’

Tems tells Apple Music about the show title and how she developed the “Leading Vibe” brand from her 2018 single, “Mr Rebel”

“I don’t know why or how that phrase came into my song. Afterwards I realised that it came for a reason, and Leading Vibe is really what it says: leading the vibe and creating opportunities for people, creating an alternative, and helping people navigate life. It’s helping people to become leaders, helping people to find their own voice, their own sound, their own thing—and to get the best of life.”

Tems tells Apple Music about the purpose of the show

“‘Leading Vibe Radio’ is really aimed at talking about real things, shining a light on women, artists, and creatives that are finding their way, finding their voice, and talking about how to be good soil—something that greatness can grow out of.”

“Africa is the source, so pay attention. There are many ‘leading vibes,’ and it’s about all of us collectively coming together to lead the vibe—that’s Africa to the world.”

Tems tells Apple Music about the importance of finding your own sound/voice

“Finding a sound, and finding your own thing is really just the beginning to evolution. I want that for everybody. If everyone found their thing, life would be so much easier in general—especially coming from Africa where it’s really hard to find your thing. Because when you’re in survival mode, you’re not thinking about yourself or finding the ‘inner you’ or doing anything. You really just want to make money and be great and you want to come out of the struggle. I want that for everyone. I want everyone to find their real sound, because that’s maximising your potential.”

Tems tells Apple Music about building communities of empowered women

“Women need each other. We need to be there for each other in a real way—and I think, for a long time, not just in music but also in life, women haven’t really had a community, a real type of understanding. It’s because most of the time women are pitted against each other. There always has to be one ‘top person.’ But imagine if we were all ‘top’—then the standard of living would be better. I see it’s happening already because we’re all realising that we need each other. Nobody can do it alone.”

Tems tells Apple Music about her co-hosts

“Muyiwa [Awoniyi] is my manager, and he was my friend first. He has a lot of wisdom, and that’s the point of this radio show: to help people increase their energy, to edify what’s already in them. Tunji [Adetunji “Tunji” Paul] is my older brother, and he’s the person that I used to make music when we were much younger. He is really into highlighting Africa, and creatives. He’s a digital artist; he’s a software engineer, and he’s someone that loves the intricacies of music.”

Tems on the role of music in her life and childhood

Growing up, I just remember, we had a Celine Dion cassette, and we used to listen to Celine Dion when I was really young, like nursery, and I just know it made me feel alive. And that was my introduction. That was what I understood as music at that time. And that formed my own understanding of it.

And it never became, “Oh, wow. So music is life,” or, “Music does something, heals you inside, or does… Wow.” It’s just a knowing. I don’t need to tell you. When did you realize you could breathe? When did you realize that, inside of you, your heart is actually beating? When did you say, “Oh, wow. I can breathe. Whoa.” There isn’t actually a realization. It’s just a knowing. And if you don’t know, then you are not awake.

Tems on singing as a child

I remember when we used to have breakfast, Tunji used to actually tell me to shut up all the time. He used to be like, “Why do you always sing?” And literally, that was everybody’s reaction to me. We could just be at breakfast, and maybe there’s a cereal box, and it says “So good for you” on the cereal box. I would literally just be like, “So good for you. So good.” I literally make a song out of that “So good for you.” It was just coming out anywhere.

This is not something I intentionally did, like, “Oh, I’m going to make a song.” It just started happening, and I wasn’t aware of it. It still happens now, where sometimes I’m looking for something, then I realize, “Wait, I’m singing something. When did I start singing this random thing?”

At what point could I possibly have realized that, “Oh my God, music is this”? It’s just something that has… As I live and breathe, I’m going through experiences. And these experiences translate into feelings within me that I have to release. It’s like eating and… And so basically, I digest experiences, and I have to let it out. It has to come out.

Tems on confidence

I would call myself confident, for sure. I think when you have a certain level of awareness, you cannot not be. It’s like if the lion realizes he’s a lion, then what is the reason for him to act like a rat? Imagine a lion. He knows he’s a lion. Why… That’s not even an option. That’s not even in his mind. And I feel like the more you realize who you are, the more confident you are because you know what’s important. Nothing else matters. And I haven’t always been confident. I think as children, we’re all confident. I think we’re born into this world full of new adventures, and we just go into them, and we just do things. I think, along the way, life happened. And my confidence was actually… Actually, there was a time that I had no self-worth or value, or I genuinely believed I was meant to be the mat that people stepped on.

I just had people around me telling me I was not anything. And when someone tells you long enough and they treat you that way… And I was isolated for a long time. When I was in school I couldn’t eat in public. I wasn’t someone that people liked. And I was like, “Yeah, if my presence is bothering people, I’m just going to move away and not be with… I’m just going to do my thing and go and find what I like. And I’ll find one friend, maybe, and then me and the friend would be friends.”

Tems on copycats, originality and finding your own sound

I think it’s better for whoever to find themselves and what they like. And when you’re aware of yourself, then you’re aware of how your music sounds holistically. You’re aware of what you are doing and who you are. And to be honest, music always sounds better when you block all those things out. I had a phase when I used to listen to Kate Nash. Do you remember? She’s this British singer that is like really, really, really, really happy, happy, happy. And then I started making music like that. That’s where I got whatever British accent. The completion of my British accent, wherever that comes from, it’s from me making those songs to sound like her. And obviously, at some point, I knew that was what I was doing. But I did it to check if I could, not to actually be that.

The reason why I was making songs that emulated her was because it was something I had never heard before. And I was trying to see if I could do it. And when I decided that I could, I wasn’t interested actually in being that. I just wanted to be me. So, I just continued on my own journey.

I think the difference is, I think when you are not aware, when you listen to artists that you like, you take them on, as you, rather than as people to learn from. It’s not actually the music that you should copy. It’s the principle behind the music. It’s not about, oh, how does this music sound? It’s the principle behind the sound. It’s the messaging. It’s the meaning.

When people listen to music that has meaning it lasts. When people listen to music that doesn’t have meaning, but is fun, then it is what it is. It’s fun for the time. And then they drop it and they never go back to it because it was easily digestible. But when you have a song that has meaning, it makes you think. It makes you heal. It makes you rediscover something.

Tems on whether she sees herself as a leader

In a way I do, but I see myself as a servant leader. I see myself as someone who aims to serve, aims to help, aims to heal, aims to make life a little better. And in me doing that, I recognize that that will cause an effect of followership, which is just the way life goes. Because people that follow me are leaders in themselves. This is the leading vibe. I’m the leading vibe, but so are you. It’s a movement. It’s the ocean, it’s… While leading the vibe, you’re leading the vibe from following my vibe and making your own vibe and people are following your vibe. And then becoming leaders themselves. And that’s the point.

Tems on the misconception that she and Tunji came from a rich background

I’m just sending big love to my mom, to our mom, because of who she is. And she stopped at nothing. We couldn’t afford to go to the school we went to, some rich kid school. Everybody in that school knew that we weren’t rich. My mom was the doctor of the school clinic. My mom got a job at my school. Yeah, it wasn’t roses. But we are around people that could speak English, so we thank God that we are. We thank God that we don’t look like what we went through.

Listen

Tems Tells Apple Music About What Fans Can Expect From Her Upcoming Album, And More…

Published

3 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Tems joins Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1 to talk about her new song “Love Me JeJe” out now. Tems talks about how she came up with the new single, how it was a collaborative effort amongst her friends. She reveals that her mother loves the song and that it’s inspired by a Nigerian classic.

Also, Tems gives fans a glimpse into what they can expect from her upcoming album, “Born in the Wild”.

Key quotes below please feel free to credit Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1. Video to follow shortly.

Tems tells Apple Music about the love she gets from people…

Eddie Francis: There’s this certain reaction you get from people where like people love you. It’s not even just a like. Does that get weird? Because we feel like we know you and we don’t know you and you don’t know us.

Tems: I think I’m used to it. I don’t know why though. Always I’m like, “Do you really feel this way? Why? Why do you like me?” I don’t know, but I think I’m used to it now.

Eddie Francis: Like when they see you, it’s like, “Oh my God, it’s Tems.” And I’ve talked to you before and I know you’re really on energy and spirituality and I know you got to feel it. When did you realize you have a different kind of relationship with people that are fans of your music?

Tems: I think it’s just the reaction and in real life, the amount of emotion, there’s just this energy that feels pure that I get all the time. And I was like, “Yo, this is not normal. This is not normal.” It is different if it’s like, “Oh yeah. I think you’re just so cool.” And that might be the case, but I don’t know. It’s so much love sometimes, I just, I don’t, it’s just wild.

Tems on the creation of her new song, “Love Me JeJe”…

So basically, I went out to dinner with my girls, with my friends, two of my friends. We’re just like, “Oh, let’s just do a cute dinner. It’s going to be cute.” And afterwards, my friends are always telling me, you never show us your Tems side. Everybody else, yeah, you’re Tems, but my friends don’t feel like I am when I’m there. It’s just like, I’m this girl. So they’re like, “Oh, you never take us to the studio. We don’t even know if you are like… Are you a doppelganger? Are you like, what is that?” So I said, “Okay, tonight we’re going to the studio and you people, you are going to sing?” So they were like, “Oh my god, crazy. What?” So we went to the studio and two of my producers, they made this beat, Spax and Guilty and they sent it to me as a challenge like, “Oh. Yeah, I’m sure you can’t do Nigerian. I am sure you can’t do this jam.”

So I was like, I just had it in the back. So I played it and I told my friends, “Yeah, lets all freestyle, take turns. Oh yeah, you do freestyle, you…” So one of my friends did “Love Me Jeje, Love Me Tender.” And then my other friend was just screaming as well. And I was like, “Actually this is a mad vibe. I love this vibe. I’m going to keep this in the song.” And I did my own freestyle and it just was such a cute vibe and I wanted to pay tribute to the actual song ’cause I love that song. My mom loves that song. “Love Me Jeje.” The original song is from Seyi Sodimu. The original song is called “Love Me Jeje” as well and it’s a Nigerian classic and it just felt right.

Tems on the term “JeJe” and what it means…

Jeje is African and Jeje also just means the concept of the song Love Me Jeje, Love Me Tender, it just means love me softly, take your time with, love me unconditionally and show me good love. That’s what it means. So that’s the idea of “Love Me JeJe”.

Tems on “NEPA” and what that means when she uses it in the song…

NEPA is, so basically NEPA is the electricity company in Nigeria. And basically, we don’t always have 24 hours electricity. So when there’s lights or when the electricity comes back on, there’s this like, everybody, you just hear your neighbours shouting, “Hey, there’s electricity now.” So you turn me on like the electricity, I’m back on, you electrify me, basically.

Tems on what fans can expect from her next album, Born in the Wild…

“Born in the Wild” is actually about my journey. It’s about my experience as me and about the experiences I’ve had so far. And it really felt like the life I lived before, the life I was accustomed to felt like a wilderness. And it’s not really more so, yes, I was raised in Lagos and that’s a part of me, but it’s not really about the place, it’s more about the state of being. It was a wilderness in the environment I lived in and there’s so many things that happened and so many lessons I learned to come and be this person now. It is basically coming out of the wilderness. So that’s basically what Born In the Wild is about.

I’ve had to step back a bit to make sure or to check in with myself that I’m being true and also just find healing from all the trauma. Everything I experienced before Tems, I think I had to unlearn a lot of things. And this album is just, it is just a new way of me expressing myself while still centering who I am in it.

Listen

Larry Vibez transports us into his universe in “Diary of Vibez” EP

Published

10 hours ago

April 26, 2024

VJ Scaro

Afropop Newcomer Larry Vibez is set to make his mark in the burgeoning Afrobeat music space as he unveils his highly anticipated EP “Diary of Vibez.” The project was released via Big Larry’s Record. (more…)

Listen

CAKES DA KILLA releases ‘Black Sheep +’ album

Published

13 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

Last month, New York rapper Cakes da Killa released “his most refined work to date” (DJ Mag), Black Sheep, and today, Cakes shares Black Sheep + out now via Young Art Records. With five new tracks and fresh album art, the deluxe version of Black Sheepexpands on his “most danceable album yet” (The FADER) and showcases more of Cakes’ “rapid-fire flows, clever punchlines and old-school ‘rapper’s rapper’ mentality” (RANGE).

Black Sheep is inspired by seeing the world, by embracing the nightlife and building community. Cakes’ critical and communal acclaim precede him: in the past two years, he’s played Glastonbury, Governors Ball, Sonar, and Whole Festival. He’s worked with everyone from Honey Dijon to Injury Reserve to RyeRye. Whether holding court, going through customs, or crushing competition, Cakes stands firm as a seasoned vet who knows his role and knows the game.

Reuniting with long-time collaborator Sam Katz, the producer behind 2022’s Svengali, Black Sheep finds the duo at their most comfortable and confident: Cakes wrote every bar, Katz did every beat. Over the course of the album, Cakes guides us through a spiritual trip from the clubs of Manhattan to the back blocks of Brooklyn. Black Sheep is a work of survival and sees the decorated emcee fully aware of his power, his place, and no longer settling for less than he deserves.

Featuring his sharpest writing and most electrifying performances to date, Black Sheep is a coronation of his graduation to foremother: a figure who spent his 20s hustling alongside his peers, focusing on the work, and paving the way for the generation we see today. He’s a rapper’s rapper, a girl’s girl, and he’s ready to be a superstar.

Stream/Purchase Black Sheep +

Listen to “Black Sheep”

Watch Video for “Mind Reader” (ft. Stout)

Listen to “Do Dat Baby” (ft. Dawn Richard)

Listen to “Cakewalk” by Cakes da Killa

Watch Cakes da Killa perform “Cakewalk” on COLORS

Black Sheep + Tracklist

1. It’s A Luv Thang (ft. Wuhryn Dumas)

2. Mind Reader (ft. Stout)

3. Make Me Ovah

4. FourPlay

5. Do Dat Baby (ft. Dawn Richard)

6. Global Entry

7. Downtown J

8. Cakewalk

9. Crushin In Da Club

10. Problem 4 Problems

11. Ain’t Sh*t Sweet

12. Black Sheep

13. Chain Gang Pimpin

14. Fly Trap

15. Not Da One

16. Standing Ovation

Cakes da Killa Tour Dates:

Sat. June 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Ladyland Festival

Sat. July 6 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival

Sun. July 21 – Ghent, BE @ Boomtown Gent Festival

Sun. July 28 – Amsterdam, NL @ Milkshake Festival

Fri. Aug. 2 – Amsterdam, NL @ Dekmantel Festival

Praise for Cakes da Killa and Black Sheep

“Cakes Da Killa is a rap icon…” – Mixmag

“Black Sheep stands as one of the emcee’s best works to date, continuing his genre-defying style with renewed panache — jazz, house, R&B and rap all meld into one sound throughout the project — while his writing game reaches yet another career-high.” — Billboard

“[Black Sheep] is a confident compendium of breathless performances, bombastic personality, and thrilling genre collages.” — Pitchfork

“[Black Sheep is] an impressive display of pure rapping ability and irresistible grown and sexy grooves” — Bandcamp

Listen

WOTOWEI! Quamina MP & Kofi Mole drops first single off their debut joint EP

Published

14 hours ago

April 26, 2024

VJ Scaro

Ghanaian music sensations Quamina MP and Kofi Mole have sent waves of excitement through the music scene with the release of their debut joint single, “WOTOWEI” Produced by MPZ, the track is the first single off their upcoming collaborative EP, set to take the industry by storm. (more…)

Listen

Kobby Carter and Big Jay of Bando Boyz Unleash “Bad Boy” – A UK Afrobeat Sensation

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

The music scene is about to get a major shake-up with the latest single “Bad Boy” from the dynamic duo Kobby Carter and Big Jay, members of the renowned Bando Boyz. This new track is a tantalizing teaser off their highly anticipated upcoming EP, showcasing their unique blend of UK afrobeat rhythms and Ghanaian flair.

“Bad Boy” isn’t just a song; it’s an auditory journey. With its smooth, sweet vibes, the track promises to transport listeners straight to a world where the beats are rich and the melodies are lush. Kobby Carter’s signature style meshes seamlessly with Big Jay’s vibrant energy, creating a synergy that’s undeniably infectious.

The collaboration is a testament to the power of partnership. Kobby Carter and Big Jay, both hailing from Bando Boyz, have come together to create something that’s more than just a song – it’s a statement. A statement that they’re here to stay and they’re not playing by the rules.

Produced with a slick, polished finish, “Bad Boy” is set to be the anthem of the season. It’s that track you play when the sun is setting and you’re gearing up for a night out. It’s the song that you turn up when you need to feel like, well, a bad boy.

As fans eagerly await the full EP, “Bad Boy” serves as the perfect appetizer. It’s a glimpse into the future of UK afrobeat, a future that’s bright and bursting with talent. Kobby Carter and Big Jay are leading the charge, and if “Bad Boy” is any indication, we’re all in for an exhilarating ride.

Stream “Bad Boy” now on all major platforms and follow Kobby Carter and Big Jay for the latest updates on their music and the upcoming EP. The Bando Boyz are not just making waves; they’re making a splash – and the world is ready to dive in.

links to the song

Audiomack: https://audiomack.com/kobbycarterr/song/bad-boy?share-user-id=8773134

other platforms : https://tiememusicdistro.lnk.to/218738BadBoy

Kobby Carter Socials

Instagram : @Kobbycarterr

twitter: @KOBBYCARTERR

Big Jay Socials

instagram: @bigjay0_

twitter: @jayissbighttps://tiememusicdistro.lnk.to/218738BadBoy

Listen

LEONARDODDJ X IYKE PARKER X KORSHI T AND NEL: PIECE OF ART

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2024

Ameyaw Debrah

LEONARDODDJ X IYKE PARKER X KORSHI T AND NEL: PIECE OF ART

Ghana’s new favorite music duo, LeonardoDDJ and Iyke Parker, kick off 2024, where they left off with their first song of the year. After two successive singles, the duo teamed up with vocalist Korshi T and Disk Jockey Nel on the song they call Piece of Art.

There are moments when your eyes fall on someone, and for a brief period you are lost for words because you are caught up in the amazement of the beauty before your eyes. Caught with his eyes on the prize, Korshi T takes his time as he serenades the “work of art” before him. He highlights not only her physical attributes but her entire being as what has caught his attention.

Life is very short, so when you see someone who tickles your fancy, it is only right that you walk up to them and express yourself to them. The song also doubles as an appreciation of one’s self and body.

Produced by Iyke Parker, the song is a mid-tempo blend of Afrobeats and Amapiano and embodies the mood of the song and the message it conveys.

“Piece of Art” is available on all major streaming platforms :https://easternchild.fanlink.tv/PieceOfArt