The Grammy-winning singer releases her first solo project since the 2024 debut album Born in the Wild with zero prior announcement.
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has released a surprise EP titled Love Is A Kingdom, a seven-track project that fuses Afrobeats, alt-R&B, and her signature introspective sound.
The EP dropped unexpectedly on Friday, marking her first solo project since her 2024 debut album Born in the Wild. The release comes under Since ’93 and RCA Records.
Clocking in at under 20 minutes, Love Is A Kingdom includes the tracks: First, I’m Not Sure, Big Daddy, Lagos Love, Mine, What You Need, and Is There a Reason.
The EP explores themes of love, power, and spiritual clarity, with Tems writing and producing most of the songs herself. On the lead track Big Daddy, she questions an unreliable partner:
“Where were you when there was no one around? / Where were you when I needed someone down? / What were you doing when nobody gave a damn?”
Despite releasing limited solo work in 2025, Tems stayed in the spotlight through high-profile collaborations. She appeared on Dave’s Raindance, joined Omah Lay on Ciza’s Isaka II remix, featured on Justin Bieber’s I Think You’re Special from SWAG II, and recently on You Get Me by Show Dem Camp (Afrika Magik).
Tems also performed at Afropunk Brasil on November 9 and attended GQ’s Men of the Year event in London, maintaining a strong global presence.
Her 2024 debut album Born in the Wild was a major success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album. The album peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting for a female Nigerian artist at the time, with its hit single Love Me Jeje winning Best African Music Performance.
Tems also earned a 2023 Grammy for her contribution to Wait For U by Future featuring Drake and made history in July 2024 as the first African artist to perform at a Club World Cup final.