Tems has had us mesmerized from the moment we heard her vocals on Wizkid’s global smash “Essence” back in 2020. Her hold on us has remained with her solo work (“Free Mind,” “Crazy Tings”) and additional features (Future’s “WAIT FOR U,” Drake’s “Fountains”) that have kept her voice in heavy rotation. Tems has been blessed with a flourishing career, and she knows where her blessings come from. As she emerges with her first new solo material in two years, the Nigerian beauty shares some of her spiritual journey on her new single “Me & U.”
“This is my decision, decision,” Tems boldly declares from the first verse over the laid-back strums from a guitar. The track picks up its pace when the beat drops in the second verse with rhythmic percussion. When she gets to the chorus, she is unashamed to sing directly to the Most High. “Give me one break, I need faith / Faith to believe you / Faith to receive you / Give me something I’m lacking / I don’t need nothing / You are my everything,” she prays and praises.
“‘Me & U’ is about discovering the real me, building a genuine relationship with the Creator, and gaining a true perception of self,” Tems provided some insight into the song in a statement.
Recently One of Tems’ followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) misinterpreted the symbolism of a photograph (shown above) that she posted on her socials of her standing in an ocean of water draped in a white dress. She swiftly gathered them together in the name of her Lord and Savior.
“Actually it’s about Jesus Christ teaching me how to walk on water, to trust Him and not in human understanding. He changed my life. And if you seek Him He will fill you up too,” she wrote. “He is the Lord of Lords. The word of God, made flesh I am His sheep. He is my Shepherd. And I have been forever transformed. I am His forever.” She finished off her message with, “THATS JUST ME DOE,” to keep things light and make sure that people don’t get her Christianity twisted.
The photograph is actually a still from the “Me & U” music video, which Tems also directed. She flexes in front of and behind the camera in this stunning visual filmed on location in Malta. We see her standing majestic and tall in the body of water before the groove gets good to her and she starts dancing, her body undulating like the waves. She praise dances throughout the video in later scenes of her on a high-rise building’s terrace, on a cliff overlooking the water, in a Nigerian village and at the center of a ceremonial dance. From the locations to her various looks, Tems’ creative vision and execution are flawless here.
Tems makes quite a splash and a statement with “Me & U.” With her faith on full display, it feels as if she’s hit a new level of artistry. Listen to and watch her latest masterpiece right here.