Tems Releases Surprise EP 'Love Is a Kingdom'

Love is explored all its dimensions, in a transformative world where love isn’t just a feeling on Love Is a Kingdom, a surpise seven track EP by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems, The project was produced primarily by Tems with additional production from GuiltyBeatz, AOD and LONDON.

Starting with a more pop heavy, energetic anthem, ‘First’ is all about setting herself apart from her peers and advocating for a state of peace that comes with self-love.

“Love is something that I’m not used to, so I’m leaving it to you”, Tems sings with transparent honestly on ‘I’m Not Sure’, promising utter devotion in a moment of risk, as she relinquish power and allows her partner to take the wheel.

The third track ‘Big Daddy’ questions the reliability of her partner. Ironically labelling them Big Daddy but aware, and expressing that her partner doesn’t meet the requirements.

The accompanying visualisers for ‘Big Daddy’, directed by Jyde Ajala, sees Tems in a room by herself dancing to the addictive afrobeat melody that is looped through the track.

Tems conveys her distinct warm and a rich sweet note in ‘Lagos Love’, as the alte R&B singer appreciates love in all it’s colours. She softly breathes affectionate pet names, and basks in her the moment.

Wanting to commit long term, ‘Mine’ is a doubling down on what she felt on ‘Lagos Love’, and ‘What You Need’ demonstrates the depth of her vocal ability, as it threatens to drown you, and also the sharp pain as she realises “your love is not my lifeline, your love is not my home”. Tems is sorting through her feelings, and showing emotional maturity by beginning to remove herself from the situation.

Ending with ‘Is There A Reason?’, an acoustic guitar plays a smooth rift. Tems, introspective, and thoughtful reflects on love, and it’s links to religion and destiny in just over two minutes. An final act of surrender.

Tems has recently impressed with her feature on Raindance, off of British rapper Dave’s third studio album The  Boy Who Played The Harp.

If anything this proves that Tems is a global cultural phenomenon. She currently has 23M monthly listeners, over 300M YouTube views, 7+ billion global streams, 90+ global nominations. She is also the first African woman to have five Billboard hits and the first Nigerian artist to win two Grammys as of 2025.

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