Tems to announce shock retirement from music?

Sad news for Tems fans. Speculation had been rife that the Nigerian singer best known for her hit song Essence, is about to announce her retirement from music, at age 30, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 09/06/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer-songwriter just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouTems

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouTems was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Tems was unlike any other singer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouTems”
— @universalObserver, 8 Jun 2026

“I thought Tems retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 8 Jun 2026

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