Maybe it was a mix of both for Tems – a feeling of pride by the Nigerian singer of the Afrobeats genre about her origin, or mainly an effort at countering misinformation outsiders have about Africa, either way, novice now have an insider’s guide on the best way to know the continent, all thanks to the two-time Grammys winner’s attendance at the 2025 MET Gala a week ago.

It is for the sheer fact that only a personal experience, particularly a visit, can offer the best learning on what to make of the scene. Following Monday, 5 May celebration of fashion exploring the importance of sartorial style to the formation of black identities at The Met Fifth Avenue in New York, comes a much-needed awakening.

Tickets to get into the venue did cost guests a sum of $75,000, but it does not necessarily mean they get to shoulder this burden. All the same, it implies that Tems’ advice on getting to know the African continent intimately came at a very steep price.

I always encouraged people to go to Lagos and Ghana for vacation. Just go and see for yourself before you make an opinion [about Africa]. See it for yourself and see how you feel, says Tems while speaking to the Fashion Bomb Daily, a magazine founded by a Harvard graduate, Ms. Claire Siobhan Sulmers, in 2006.

Such a guide most certainly helps global chic seekers looking for a deeper connection with Africa that would only seem far-fetched until they finally visit.

If they were wondering about what makes the continent special, the singer had this response for them: I think it [the beauty of Africa] is in the creativity, the daily efforts, the looks, the songs, the traditions and the cultures.

So far, it has been a credit to Tems’ country, Nigeria, that much light seems to be shining on the continent. Well, according to the Love Me Jeje singer, there is more to discover from a music prism other than the category she has been boxed in.

We [Africans] can go further in every single aspect of sound. We are not just Afrobeats. There is Amapiano, Afrosoul, R&B, [and] Afro Jazz. There are so many genres in African music that people are not all the way tapped into yet. Now, how did Tems celebrate 40 years of design at the MET Gala, focusing on this year’s theme?

Celebrating 40 years of design

Tems made a bold statement at the 2025 Met Gala, celebrating 40 years of design under the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” The event spotlighted the evolution of Black fashion, craftsmanship, and cultural identity.

While there, the singer embraced the theme by wearing a striking Ankara print waistcoat-like dress, designed by British-Ghanaian fashion icon Ozwald Boateng. The outfit blended traditional African aesthetics with modern tailoring, reinforcing her commitment to showcasing African heritage on global platforms.

Her presence at the gala was more than just a fashion statement—it was a cultural affirmation of her origin, even though back home in Africa, not everywhere offers her the sort of serenity that she is now recommending that both Nigeria and Ghana can bring.

Tems had initially planned to hold her Born in the Wild world tour in Kigali, Rwanda, towards the end of March 2025, but later cancelled the event after realising an existing conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

ALSO READ: Tems puts up a question asking about Rwanda’s fitness for tourism and hosting 2025 GRAMMYs nominees

She acknowledged that she had not been paying attention to the political dynamics in Eastern Africa and apologised for promoting a show in a country accused of supporting Tutsi-led M23 rebels, who have been violating the DRC’s sovereignty.

Tems expressed regret, stating that she never intended to be insensitive to real-world issues and extended her sympathies to those affected by the conflict.

Her cancellation sparked discussions about Rwanda’s tourism reputation, especially as the country has been positioning itself as a self-sufficient destination under President Paul Kagame’s leadership.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.