LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-Manager to Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, Muyiwa Awoniyi, has shared insights into the singer’s humble beginnings, revealing she had only N200 in her bank account when they first met.
In a recent episode of the “Afrobeats Intelligence” podcast, Awoniyi recalled being struck by Tems determination and drive despite her financial struggles. At the time, she had no source of income, but her spirit and generosity left a lasting impression.
“When I met Tems, she only had like 200 Naira in her account. Back then, I had a production company. If I had money, I would buy food. But what shocked me was that even though she didn’t have money, she would still order food for us. She was different from anyone I had met in Nigeria,” Awoniyi revealed.
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Their professional relationship began after a few months of casual friendship. Awoniyi initially planned to sign a traditional management contract with Tems, but her attitude toward business changed everything.
“She asked me to be her manager, and I said I’d send her a contract,” he said. “We had already agreed verbally, but when I gave her the paperwork, she kept chasing me to sign my part. I had never experienced that before. Most artists are hesitant with contracts.”
That unusual level of trust and professionalism led Awoniyi to suggest a deeper partnership, “I told her, ‘Let’s not do a manager-artist contract. Let’s build a company together.’”
According to him, the decision marked the start of a collaborative journey that would eventually take Tems to global stages and a Grammy win, all from the humblest of beginnings.
