Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, best known as Tems, has bagged an award at the inaugural Billboard’s Global Power Players Event on Wednesday at Shoreditch House in east London, England.
Honoured alongside veteran British singer, Sir Elton John and EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami, Tems received the Diamond Award presented by incoming Billboard Africa editor Nkosiyati Khumalo.
“Being African and a musician is a whole new world and I feel like Billboard has been so supportive of not just African music but the whole scene and the culture.
“This has been a really great honour, especially given that African music is moving to heights that has never been seen before, and Billboard is one of the key players in moving that needle forward,” Tems stated in her acceptance speech.
Sir Elton John collected the Creators’ Champion Award, and EMPIRE boss Ghazi Shami received the coveted Clive Davis Visionary Award.
Nigerian musician and YNBL label boss, Olamide Adedeji best known as Baddoo, presented the award to EMPIRE CEO. The first-ever UK Power Players chart was also launched at the event.
Recall that, Tems is the most-awarded African artist in Billboard’s history. Last year, she became the first Nigerian woman to be honoured at the Billboard’s Women In Music Event.