Tems Billboard’s Diamond Award win has cemented her status as a trailblazer in global music. The Nigerian Grammy-winning artist continues to break boundaries and fly the flag for African music, receiving the prestigious honour at Billboard’s inaugural Global Power Players event in London—a powerful recognition of her influence as both a musical force and cultural icon.
The event, hosted ahead of her headline set at Billboard Presents The Stage during SXSW London on Thursday, June 5, spotlighted industry leaders and game changers making an impact across the global music scene. Among the honorees were legendary British musician Elton John and EMPIRE CEO Ghazi Shami, but Tems’ recognition made a particularly poignant statement about the global emergence of Afrobeats.
Receiving the award from Nkosiyati Khumalo, the incoming editor of Billboard Africa, Tems was visibly moved as she reflected on the journey of African music and her role within it.
“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,” she said. “This has been a great honour, especially given that African music is moving to heights that have never been seen before, and Billboard is one of the key players in moving that needle forward.”
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Tems’ win at such a prestigious event reaffirms the global appetite for Afrobeats, a genre that has evolved from a regional sound to a worldwide phenomenon. Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, and Davido have led the charge in recent years, but Tems has carved out a unique space with her soulful voice, introspective songwriting, and genre-bending artistry that blends R&B, soul, and Afro-fusion.
Her Diamond Award cements her legacy and represents a decisive win for female African artists who are steadily shattering industry ceilings. Tems’ growing international acclaim from her collaborations with Drake, Future, and Beyoncé to her Oscar-nominated contribution to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever shows that African women are no longer just part of the narrative, but are helping to shape the global soundscape.
As Afrobeats continues its unstoppable rise, artists like Tems are proving that the sound of Africa is not just trending, it’s transforming the global music industry.
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FAQs
Q1: What is the Billboard Global Power Players event?
A1: It is an inaugural event organised by Billboard to recognise top influencers, leaders, and trendsetters shaping the global music industry. The 2025 edition was held in London.
Q2: What award did Tems win?
A2: Tems received the Diamond Award, celebrating her impact as a global artist and her contribution to the rise of Afrobeats and African culture in the international music scene.
Q3: Why is this award significant for Afrobeats?
A3: It highlights the growing global influence of Afrobeats and recognises the genre’s key players. Tems’ win symbolises how far African music has come and how central it has become to international pop culture.
Q4: What did Tems say in her acceptance speech?
A4: Tems praised Billboard for supporting African music, calling the honour “a great honour,” and emphasised how African music is “moving to heights that have never been seen before.”
Q5: What’s next for Tems?
A5: She headlined Billboard Presents The Stage at SXSW London on June 5 and is expected to continue making waves with her highly anticipated debut album and more global collaborations.
