Grammy Glory: Tems Thanks Seyi Sodimu for ‘Love Me Jeje’ Remake’s Success

Grammy Glory: Tems Thanks Seyi Sodimu for ‘Love Me Jeje’ Remake’s Success
Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Nigerian veteran artist Seyi Sodimu after winning her second Grammy Award. The win, which took place at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, came in the Best African Music Performance category. Tems won for her remake of the iconic 1997 hit “Love Me Jeje,” originally by Seyi Sodimu.
In a touching post shared on X.com, Tems acknowledged Seyi Sodimu’s crucial support in the song’s success. “I just want to thank the wonderful #seyimusic for his role in the support and clearing of his OG song Love Me Jeje,” Tems wrote. “It’s brought the original song back to life for me, and I’m glad that it’s getting its flowers today. A timeless classic. I appreciate you so much. Thank you for your love and support.”
“Love Me Jeje” holds a special place in the hearts of many Nigerians since its release in 1997. It remains one of the most cherished love songs in the country, and Tems’ revival of the track has sparked a renewed interest in the classic hit. Her version of the song has not only breathed new life into it but also earned her recognition at the prestigious Grammy Awards.
Despite the immense support and recognition, Tems faced some backlash regarding her acceptance speech. Critics pointed out that she failed to mention Seyi Sodimu and Shafi Bello, the original artists behind “Love Me Jeje,” during her speech at the ceremony. Instead, Tems thanked her team and stylist, leaving out the contributions of the original creators of the song.
The oversight did not go unnoticed. A Twitter user, @bros_aik, wrote: “I think it was a major faux pas for Tems to forget to mention Seyi Sodimu in her Grammy acceptance speech. The song ‘Love Me Jeje,’ which won in the Best African Music Performance category, originally belongs to Seyi Sodimu. Tems’ handlers made a big mistake.”
READ ALSO: Tems Wins the Best African Music performance at 67th Grammys, Defeats Burna Boy, Wizkid & Yemi Alade
At the time of writing, Tems has not addressed this criticism, and Seyi Sodimu has remained silent about the matter.
Tems had also secured her second Grammy win with “Love Me Je Je” in the same category as other notable nominees, including Yemi Alade’s “Tomorrow,” Asake’s “MMS” featuring Wizkid, Chris Brown’s “Sensational” featuring Davido and Lojay, and Burna Boy’s “Higher.” The award, however, went to South Africa’s Tyla for her hit song “Water,” marking the first edition of the category in 2024.
Tems’ victory at the 67th Grammy Awards is a major milestone in her rapidly growing career. She was nominated for three awards this year, bringing her total number of Grammy nominations to eight. In addition to her win for “Love Me Je Je,” she was nominated for Best Global Music Album for her debut album Born in the Wild and Best R&B Song for “Burning.”
Her success is a huge milestone for Nigerian women in music, who have historically been underrepresented and often overlooked. Tems’ Grammy wins are pushing open doors that have long been closed to female artists, many of whom have faced challenges, including sexual harassment and prejudice, within the music industry.
Tems’ achievements continue to inspire a new generation of Nigerian musicians, especially women, who now see a path toward international recognition and success. Her journey proves that, despite the odds, talent and determination can lead to the highest levels of global achievement.
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