Tems’ debut album “Born In The Wild” has been highly anticipated, and it’s finally here. The 18-track project features collaborations with Asake on “Get It Right” and J. Cole on “Free Fall.”
Tems who promoted the album with performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and a captivating Tiny Desk performance shared that “Born In The Wild” is a deeply personal journey for her.
She explained to Apple Music that she needed to step back to check in with herself and heal from past trauma. “I had to unlearn a lot of things. This album is just a new way of me expressing myself, while still centering who I am in it.” The album delves into themes of self-doubt, self-discovery, navigating relationships, and ultimately, self-trust. It reflects her growth and unwavering spirit, ready to embrace the future.
Musically, “Born In The Wild” defies genre boundaries, celebrating African culture and heritage. It includes sultry R&B tracks like “Burning” and fusions of Afrobeats and amapiano in “Get It Right.” Tems also reimagines Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit “Love Me JeJe” into a breezy and contemporary offering.
In an interview on Apple Music African Now Radio, Tems described the album as a story of transformation and self-acceptance. “It’s about accepting oneself and embodying the woman I was born to be. It shows the different dimensions of who Tems is and her journey from a cub to a lioness,” she said.
Her lead single “Love Me JeJe” celebrates unconditional love, while “Me & U” was nominated for Best Gospel Song at the 2024 BET Awards.
