Wizkid and Tems are prominent figures in the Afrobeats genre and are known for collaborating on the hit song Essence. The two are Grammy Award winners, but Wizkid is more of a veteran, while Tems recently gained momentum in 2019.
Even with the difference in years in the industry, both are extensively recognized globally. With this, while they have achieved significant success in the music industry, their similarities are limited. Here are some interesting aspects of their careers and personal styles:
- Obviously, their first similarity is their musical collaboration, Essence. Their most significant commonality is their collaboration on the hit song Essence. The song was released in October 2020 as part of Wizkid's album Made in Lagos. Since then, it has gained international acclaim and became a major success on global charts. Notable, Essence is the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200.
- Both artists proudly represent Nigerian music on the world stage, and their collaboration has helped Afrobeats gain global acceptance.
- Thirdly, both artists primarily operate within the Afrobeats genre—we say primarily because of our fourth reason. But aside from that, Wizkid, a veteran in the industry, has a more established presence, while Tems is recognized as a talent who quickly made a name for herself.
- For the fourth reason, Wizkid and Tems both incorporate elements of R&B into their Afrobeats sound. And they are some of the few artists who can do it right. But in this same vein, there is a disparity in their delivery. Regardless, their styles complement each other, with Wizkid's smooth vocals pairing seamlessly with Tems' powerful delivery.
- The last similarity on our list is the mentorship dynamics between the two. Wizkid, as an established artist, has played a role in bringing Tems into the spotlight, which is a notable mention.
In summary, while Wizkid and Tems share a successful collaboration that has significantly impacted the Afrobeats genre, they differ in their career stages, personal styles, and cultural representations.
