“I Would Have Been a Maths Teacher If Music Failed" – Tems

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Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Tems has opened up about the career path she would have chosen if music hadn’t become her reality, revealing that she has always had a deep love for numbers. 

The ‘Essence’ crooner made the revelation during an interactive Q&A session with her fans on X, where she answered a series of personal and career-related questions. 

When one curious fan asked what she might be doing today if her rise to music stardom had not happened, Tems replied with surprising clarity, saying she would likely have built a career around mathematics, accounting, or even teaching.

Tems, who has often been praised for her calm, introspective personality, explained that she has always been drawn to figures and analytical subjects.

 According to her, she easily could have ventured into accounting or found herself in a classroom teaching mathematics to students.

 Her response sparked reactions from fans, many of whom said it was easy to imagine her as a strict but inspiring mathematics teacher. 

The singer wrote simply: “I might have been an accountant or a mathematics teacher,” a statement that has since been widely shared across social media platforms.

Before choosing music fully, Tems worked briefly as a digital marketer until January 2018, when she made the bold decision to quit and pursue music professionally.

 It was a risky move at the time, but one that set her on a path to global success. She released her debut single ‘Mr Rebel’ in July 2018, a song that quickly gained attention for its originality and haunting vocal style. 

Her breakout moment came not long after when she featured on Wizkid’s global smash hit ‘Essence’, a track that climbed to number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and pushed her into international visibility.

 The success of ‘Essence’ marked a turning point, establishing her as one of Nigeria’s most influential female voices on the global stage.

Tems has continued to break boundaries in the years since, becoming the first Nigerian female artiste to sell 10 million singles in the United States  a monumental achievement in an industry often dominated by men. 

Her sound, a fusion of soul, Afrobeat, and alternative influences, has set her apart, earning her multiple nominations, awards, and collaborations with some of the world’s biggest stars.

Her revelation about her alternative career path has added yet another layer to her already intriguing public persona. 

Many fans said it showed how grounded she remains despite fame, reminding them that she once stood at a crossroads like any other young Nigerian trying to decide between a “safe” career and following a passion. 

For Tems, choosing music over a secure professional path like teaching or accounting proved to be the life-changing decision that unlocked her destiny.

Even as she continues her global ascent, the singer’s comment has left many reflecting on how different her journey could have been  and how lucky the music world is that she chose the microphone over the chalkboard.

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