Hey Tiny Desk Fans, Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths
"looku looku" - a Nigerian pidgin slang referring to someone who stares/looks too much. The song talks about her love who has a wandering eyes and stares at every woman that passes or moves his way. It's an emotional (painful) and comedic song at the same time. She tells her lover that one day, his eyes and neck would break or turn from turning back to stare too much.
Its so fascinating of the similarities between the nigerian/african dialect similarities to the creole and patois of the carribean. We also have a term in Jamaican patois called "licky licky" which is more of somebody thats greedy lol but it could be used in the same context that you guys use that verbiage. Just shows we are all connected in some way lol especially our african heritages
No Tems is what her people and the culture, the world 🌍 needed. Industry takes away the greatness... Tems is beautifully unique and pray 🙏🏾 she never turns industry and keeps touching THE PEOPLE ❤❤❤💪🏾👑💯
Tems has opened the door for alte vibes.. the Odunsi’s and the Santi’s will have their time as well.. finally the world is hearing what’s been cooking under the afrobeats umbrella..
I’m 30 years old. I’ve lost keeping up with music. I grew up on Erykah Badu, Lauryn, Jill Scott, India. And as soon as I Tems voice I almost broke my neck turning to listen. 🤣 so glad to hear a sound I can connect with. ❤️
@@BrownskinB7777” Looku Looku” means one whose eyes is not on one person, more like a man whose eyes and mind is unto so many women. She is telling him that he’d regret being a womanizer and a cheat.
She once said that she was self conscious about the texture of her voice so she tried to only sing in her falsetto, but TEMS girl your texture is what draws me in. So amazing how she sounds the same live as on her album not all artists can say that. so much respect you are a true artist.
This time last year I was so depressed and anxious. Free mind felt like it was written for me. I am about to graduate soon and listening to this reminds me of how difficult the journey was and I came out alive on the other side. Thank you for making life bearable with your art 💞
@@desicastell2621 facts and she knows that she's the Goddes Ancestral voice our we are the dreams of our Ancestors and Afrobeats and Amapiano they're about to take over the world and unite Africans around the world and make peace and love to the world.
@@olulu4862 you’re the only one got a problem with what I said. You just wanna be seen because you’re insignificant in real life. You want my attention just say “hey” 🙄 uggmo
Tbh, her live performance is always better than her studio recording. This is enough reason for you to always be you and no one else. Forget that herd mentality, everybody was created differently. With different gifts, different purpose, different style and different ways to sometimes deliver the same thing. This is music and Nigeria has a lot of them. Brymo, Odunsi, Funbi, Tay-iwar, ASA, Nonso Amadi, The Cavemen, Sir Dauda et al. Shout out to You beautiful princess (Tems), may you continue to grow n bring more shine.
Never heard until this morning and I’m like sheeeeeesh !!! I think I’m n love 😍😍 lol she so 🔥🔥 I love a dope woman wit a dope voice mixed wit a dope band 💪🏾💪🏾
Her growth is so authentic just pure talent! I remember watching her old videos and was like she’s gonna be an international star regardless of where she came from! So happy she took it back to Looku looku🔥🔥
I am slowly falling in love with Tems. This TD makes me hope and pray for a Tems x Rihanna x Koffee collab.... their voices on one song would be colossal....
Talking about being yourself. Having a clear understanding of your style, art and identity and not been afraid to express it. Tems expressing her uniqueness. I love it.
Gosh, I was praying fervently to hear "Higher". I love all her songs deeply but Higher does things to me I can't explain. I listen to it more than all her works.
OK-K-KAYYYY her voice is very tranquil and the band has her back... Relaxing Vibes..... she is an entire mood, can't you see the colors of the music??? Blues, Purples and Golds..... We are riding with her in Detroit, and we know good rhythmic sounds 👌 Get 'em Boo, GET 'em..
This first Tiny Desk is her best...so pure. so simple....shes even better live than on the album. Beautiful song writer and singer....Keep blessing us Queen
Hey Tiny Desk Fans,
Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths
M
❤❤❤❤
11:13
❤❤❤❤❤
She literally sounds JUST like her tracks.
If Not Better👈🏾🙌🏽
No mistakes 🙌🏼
I was just about to say the same 😩🤍✨
That's how you know she is a realllll singer. I love it!!
She does I agree
Nobody sounds like Tems and that’s her power
Arya Starr comes close
@@wamitanguzulu3908 facts
Now fave I think
Sade
I think her and coffe sounds similar
"looku looku" - a Nigerian pidgin slang referring to someone who stares/looks too much. The song talks about her love who has a wandering eyes and stares at every woman that passes or moves his way. It's an emotional (painful) and comedic song at the same time. She tells her lover that one day, his eyes and neck would break or turn from turning back to stare too much.
Thank you for explaining
And it's also for those that loves betting, especially sporty bet people 😅😮😂
🔥
Its so fascinating of the similarities between the nigerian/african dialect similarities to the creole and patois of the carribean. We also have a term in Jamaican patois called "licky licky" which is more of somebody thats greedy lol but it could be used in the same context that you guys use that verbiage. Just shows we are all connected in some way lol especially our african heritages
Thank You, I was trying to Understand.
I can't believe she sang for 20 mins without back up singers and I wasn't bored. Tems to the world
Didn't even notice that she didn't have any to begin with
M.
Yu oh
No backups. Sis is extremely talented, skilled and natural
I PTOMISE SHE THE GOAT
It’s safe to say that I’m basically inlove with this woman guys 😭
😆🤩That’s cute 🥰
It's her voice for me😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😢😢😢😢😢😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I think I'm obsessed with her ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I hear you.
EVERYTHING she does is gold, i cant not fall in looove!
Same
Tiny desk 2024 brought me here again. She is fantastic live
Facts!
No foreal!
Same to m iswear😂😂
Too real 😂🔥
Same 😂
Tems's vocals is so hypnotizing omg. Nigeria is the home of talents
Yes 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I agree with you. Nigeria got so many good talents. I love Nigeria ❤
💕💕💕💕
Africa as whole for real and this is coming from a nigerian,we outchea
@@valeo3508 let us get our praise without bringing up others.. she said Nigeria
Don’t forget corruption
actually perfect
😮💨 Couldn’t agree more. Her music is pure bliss.
Hey avant-garde! One of my favorite vegans!
The vegan king himself!! 🙀 I’m vibing extra hard RN
Her voice is an instrument
yeah a nasally mumbled one. but yes i love her just not as much live
@@dwreckingram you’re tasteless
a symphony in one instrument
why are you jealous@@dwreckingram
basically
As a Nigerian I'm so glad she keeps the pidgin English in her songs, staying true to her roots!
Me too!
So it suppose to be- natural. Love and respect all the way from 🇹🇹
As an American I'm glad I lived in West Africa long enough to understand the pidgin!😅
🇬🇭🇳🇬🇹🇬🇸🇳🇧🇯
@@AnnnnnaQ 😂😂😂❤️❤️❤️
The world needs Tems!!
This is one of the things I love about Tiny Desk - you click on a concert at random and hit solid gold.
Totally Agree 👌🏾
Nailed it on the head 👍👍👍
No lies detected!! 💯
Fact
Tems is what the music industry needed. She sounds like no other and her voice is very soothing.
Facts
I agree! Artist like Tems and Tobe Nwigwe have broken the mold!
No she need her own music industry
No Tems is what her people and the culture, the world 🌍 needed. Industry takes away the greatness... Tems is beautifully unique and pray 🙏🏾 she never turns industry and keeps touching THE PEOPLE ❤❤❤💪🏾👑💯
@@beesoowavey4758my thoughts EXACTLY 💯 Fk da industry 😂❤
The track “free mind” has power , the way the tears just started to flow… wow Tems is such a blessing to this earth.
same
yesss!
BALLING TEARS
When I heard “Free Mind” I wanted to cry tbh .
This, all of this! Her voice is so strong and it hits so deep with this song.
Glad free mind is being acknowledged for the masterpiece it is😭🔥
Her best song 💯💯💯💯🧡
I came to the comments to make sure she performed it lol. Thank u brother
it was today i got to love it. i never gave it a slim chance!
one of my favorites from her!
Bro yes! It’s my fav by her
Nah guys 🥹 being an African is a flex, no cap.
Tems has opened the door for alte vibes.. the Odunsi’s and the Santi’s will have their time as well.. finally the world is hearing what’s been cooking under the afrobeats umbrella..
Well Odunsi divert. He should be at the fore front of it. He really messed things up. I wish he can go back to who he used to be. May God intervene.
alté to the world & back!!!
Odunsi😍😍😍
I agrée!
@@mayokunayodele6794 I agree..
Her tone has a healing vibration to it, even when she sings live ✨
I mean 😢👉🏽👈🏽❤❤❤❤❤
You said it perfectly.
So healing
*especially when she sings live✨
Thank you!!!!!
Why is no one talking about the bassist. He’s so good and knows his controls
absolutely killed
Smiles, only a handful of us can relate to that man that glues the band.
Big shoutout to the instrumentalists
Especially free mind. Kills it
Not to mention how sweet that 6-string bass is...
MUSICIANS:
Tems: vocals
Nsikak David: guitar
Afolabi Adekomaiya: drums
Obinna Enwere: keys
Ayo Dele Owa: bass
i love this so much....
You, my good sir, are the real MVP
Obinna Enwere was flawless
One love to our Nigerian Brothers and Sisters. We appreciate you and we love you!
Nsikak David... 💯
Correct info bro👍🏽
I'm high key obsessed. 🤌🏽🥲
I need a Tems/SZA or Tems/H.E.R. collab...
Seconded
Third
FOURTHED
Tems/Celine Dion
Fifth ‼️
You don’t need back up singers when you’re this good.
"it's called free mind and its about freeing... your mind." i love her
she said 'it's about being free... of your mind.'
She is literally making Africans proud with her unique voice
❤🇧🇼🇿🇦
Found 0:22
Free mind 4:11
Looku Looku 8:36
Replay 12:55
Damages 16:40
Not all heroes wear capes
me: in the comments looking for this comment 👀
finds the comment: 👍🏽
Merci beaucoup 🎉
i’m soooo happy for her tbh. it’s like her wins are mine.😭💕🇳🇬
I feel you ❤️❤️❤️
One nigeria 🇳🇬 🙌🏾
I literally feel the same way!!🤍🥺
I relate to this so much. I celebrate her wins like they are mine
She wins, we win. Africa forever ❤️🇧🇼🇿🇦
Leaving this here so that when anybody likes my comment i come back and listen to this masterpiece😊❤
😂❤❤❤❤well I'm here with a thunbs 👍🏾 up and a comment...
She has a very unique voice and I’m looking forward to her future projects
The fact she sings better than the record is something she need to teach in university ❤️❤️
Exactly.....should be a thesis 💯💯💯💯
I feel like my soul is being healed as I'm listening .
Talk black to me!
Right behind u yes 🙌
Her tiny desk setting is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen ever since tiny desk.... more like tiny palace.
From Lagos to NPR. Only bigger things for Tems
This is powerful. Black is powerful. Black is beautiful.
I’m 30 years old. I’ve lost keeping up with music. I grew up on Erykah Badu, Lauryn, Jill Scott, India. And as soon as I Tems voice I almost broke my neck turning to listen. 🤣 so glad to hear a sound I can connect with. ❤️
I agree I was like wait a minute! This is something special!
Have a listen to Greentea Peng too, I think you will like her. Another free spirit who speaks/sings from the soul 🥰
Right?!
Love your voice....I'm obsessed... streaming and buying all of her music
I enjoy her beautiful songs, but she's not on their level of vocals yet.
Timestamps♥️
Found 0:05
Free mind 4:10
Looku looku 8:32
Replay 12:53
Damages 16:34
Thanks
Thank u for this!
Thanks!!
💕💕💕💕💕💕
God bless you 💕
Her and Yebba are taking me on an emotional, intellectual, music theory and spiritual highs. Their vocal tone is so authentic, powerful and beautiful
Yeeeeeessssss
Yebba is my girl too her npr is amazing also I love soulful music with love instrument
Maaaaan ❤
Never heard of her until Wizkid's Essence but I can't get enough of her now!
Feelin the same thing too here🤩
Yes! I thought it was 2 men singing .. when I finally saw the visual … I fell in love !
Wizkid brought her 😢😭 Wiz is long time in the music game he knows good singers 😢
Looku Looku is top 3 most spiritual Tems songs
💯
Mr. Rebel is another huh?
@@Taylordessalines lol most def, then free mind too
Do you care to break it down for me? My 1st time hearing this song. New to her.
@@BrownskinB7777” Looku Looku” means one whose eyes is not on one person, more like a man whose eyes and mind is unto so many women.
She is telling him that he’d regret being a womanizer and a cheat.
She once said that she was self conscious about the texture of her voice so she tried to only sing in her falsetto, but TEMS girl your texture is what draws me in. So amazing how she sounds the same live as on her album not all artists can say that. so much respect you are a true artist.
omg can i watch that interview? which one is it?
@@crystalgrace289 if you have apple music it is the last track of if orange was a place
Nsikak on Guitars 🎸
Jarfar on Drums 🥁
AY on Bass 🎸
Truchordz on Keys 🎹
Weldone guyysss💫
AY na bad guy 🔥
Y'all did great.
Thanks fpr this!
Her and Brent faiyaz are saving r&b and restoring it to it’s original state! Love y’all thank you!!
FACTS
Facts
There are many more out there tho but yes those two are great
Add Jazmine Sullivan and Lucky Daye
Lucky Daye too!!
Can we just acknowledge the fact that her whole set is iconic 😭💜
Shout out to the audio mastering and the whole NPR Tiny Desk team. This sound mixing/acoustic set up is absolutely incredible
I agreeeeeeee
@@j316studioz7 almost got scared I have been hacked
This is what you get when you check out Nigerian creatives....we are the best in the WORLD. I am coming.
You no lie bro
This time last year I was so depressed and anxious. Free mind felt like it was written for me. I am about to graduate soon and listening to this reminds me of how difficult the journey was and I came out alive on the other side. Thank you for making life bearable with your art 💞
Sending positive vibes your way 💕...glad to hear you found yourself on the other side of what you were going through! Be well!
Proud of you
Queens no worstrjshjrbyyn
This is exactly how it makes me feel while battling depression🥲 I graduate in exactly one year. Blessings to you and your endeavors Sis, we got this 💪
I'm proud of you and I'm praying you continue to soar
We can all agree that we’ve longed for this💕Big ups Tiny Desk!!
True 😢😢😭😭❤❤❤❤❤
I long for any TEMS content online 😩 so hard to find
Tems is passionate when she sings it’s more than just listening to a song it enters the soul it’s soul music at its best
So true. She is sitting there and I thought I would be bored and was moved to tears just from her voice and passion. This is music!
I automatically think of the ancestors by way of Africa 🌍 it's something you can't remove from your soul
@@desicastell2621 facts and she knows that she's the Goddes Ancestral voice our we are the dreams of our Ancestors and Afrobeats and Amapiano they're about to take over the world and unite Africans around the world and make peace and love to the world.
seeing her live would be a dream ! the best artist we've had in some time
Literally cannot wait
I saw her live in GHAHA! Amazing experience!
tems is no longer our hidden gem 😩 i’m so proud of her tho! watched her become so global. i love it.
The anger in her eyes and voice when she sang replay, so beautiful.
The way she says “thank you” is so sweet
I have been becoming obsessed with her, I needed this 😭💖💖
Me too 😂🤦🏾♂️
Come , is this normal 😫❤️ I don’t think I care though
Obsessed at first listen
She is slowly becoming my favorite artist, the album should do the trick😌
Slowly?! then my guy you are too slow 😅 it's all love though
What you waiting on?😂😂😂😂
Tems is good at all. I love her since day one
4real tho lol
She's my favorite artiste, always speaks to my soul 🥺
Loving the orange vibe in her outfit. Also her voice is so comforting and smooth 🧡
Her album is called “if orange was a place” 😍
Hehe, so her Orange vibe/theme worked. People got it..
How can she be so relaxed and sound this good? Gosh!
I mean wow Tems is stunning, her voice is pure gold, her renditions of her own song, this live band. I mean amazing
🤌
I just love how humble she is, she’s so calm but yet powerful 🥺♥️
I have a feeling, in due time, that this will become one of the most viewed Tiny Desk Concerts. Faultless.
Tems is a natural talent, no back ups and she killed it. i loved looku looku baby the most
It means you look for a baby .
Same here about that song. Amazing
My favourite from her
Definitely my favorite, tune and lyric-wise.
Lookup looku...
I love how serious she takes her music and craft, and I’m serious when I say this…
Her voice is my favorite, nothing compares.
I normally don’t like the color orange but she looks like a citrus QUEEN 🧡
How does your not liking orange affect what she does. sometimes,leaving thing as insignificant as this to yourself is advisable.
@@olulu4862 you’re the only one got a problem with what I said. You just wanna be seen because you’re insignificant in real life. You want my attention just say “hey” 🙄 uggmo
Goodness ... That's it
@@olulu4862 bro chill
Queen 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Can’t wait for her debut album
It's out already. Called Orange something
Lol it’s out already
She doesn't have an album yet , just 2 ep
@@jamalmohamed9945 no that's an ep too
The 2 are EPs not LP, so it's right to say we are waiting for her debut album. 🤷
The band is blessed. The arrangements are giving me goosebumps. Im gonna say this was my personal birthday gift. African musicians >>>
True!
You feel me tho 🥶🥶🥶
Facts
Z Who
her sounding better at live performances shows how raw her voice truly is
Tbh, her live performance is always better than her studio recording. This is enough reason for you to always be you and no one else. Forget that herd mentality, everybody was created differently. With different gifts, different purpose, different style and different ways to sometimes deliver the same thing. This is music and Nigeria has a lot of them. Brymo, Odunsi, Funbi, Tay-iwar, ASA, Nonso Amadi, The Cavemen, Sir Dauda et al. Shout out to You beautiful princess (Tems), may you continue to grow n bring more shine.
U did not mention my name
@@kobikung6479 never heard of your name either. Plus you could have mentioned it here
Add show Dem camp to that list
And Johnny Drille
I live in the States and I have not heard of any of these singers. I'm going to look up all of them. Thank you
I just discovered her and i’m obsessed with her and her Alto voice
Tems is a very confident singer and performer. Best wishes to the beautiful Nigerian goddess and her loved ones..
Her tone is everything! She sounds just like her records if not better ❤️
I heard “free mind” at random when I was going through a hard time. When I tell you it spoke to me and lifted my spirit.. I love her music and vibe 🧡🧡
ME TOO I NEEDED TO HER THAT MY SANITY IS A PRODUCT OF MY THINKING.
Tems and Jasmine Sullivan - great artistry !
Exactly
Facts
Yes
Yessss my exact thoughts
honestly 🔥
Wow. She is one of the most talented female artists out of Nigeria in the last 10 years
Her and Tiwa Savage 🙏🏾
Which Tiw?
Say Ayla Star or Simi
I can listen to Looku Looku on continuous repeat! CHILLS EVERY SINGLE TIME! Tems YOU are what was missing on the music scene!
Have you heard the live version of Higher? My God!!! You think Looku gave you chills.
Never heard until this morning and I’m like sheeeeeesh !!! I think I’m n love 😍😍 lol she so 🔥🔥 I love a dope woman wit a dope voice mixed wit a dope band 💪🏾💪🏾
Her warm contralto voice is everything.
So happy to see how far she's come in such a short time. Some people are just undeniable stars
if 4 years officially is a short time, Sure congrats to her
Three years !!!!!
@@Screencisereviews111 Mr Rebel was released in 2018
Do u notice da smile at da end of each performance she appreciates from deep inside
I love her sm, makes me feel proud to be African
Nigerian Queen, she killed it! What a boss lady, mad respect and lots of love to all my peeps in 🇳🇬 and the motherland. Its lovely to see this talent!
Only a few people can sing and make me tear up. She's s just amazing. SMH
This is a true definition of what you order is what you get ! 😭❤️ she sounds the same and even better bruh
These instrumentalists will never lack in their lives IJN🙏🏾😩💨
She is more than welcome to every cookout, family function, Thanksgiving, dinner, Christmas holiday, baby shower, everything I love you
Her growth is so authentic just pure talent! I remember watching her old videos and was like she’s gonna be an international star regardless of where she came from! So happy she took it back to Looku looku🔥🔥
...diss track to all the haters, enemies, principalities and "spirits"
the way I screamed 😂😂😂😂😂
me too🤣
She is a Naija Christian S.U 😂😂
I swear!!!😅
I am slowly falling in love with Tems.
This TD makes me hope and pray for a Tems x Rihanna x Koffee collab.... their voices on one song would be colossal....
The most underrated comment on here ❤
@@heismild thank you♥️
Yes siilar boices from Barbafos/Guyane + Jamaica + Nigeria
Agreed 👍
Talking about being yourself. Having a clear understanding of your style, art and identity and not been afraid to express it. Tems expressing her uniqueness. I love it.
I really felt the emotion on “Replay” like I never felt it on the track.
This lowkey became 1 of my favorite channels. Especially when an artist that can really sing does it.
I was waiting for her to sing Higher. That’s a beautiful song
Gosh, I was praying fervently to hear "Higher". I love all her songs deeply but Higher does things to me I can't explain. I listen to it more than all her works.
I think she didn't perform it cause she already did that amazing performance of it on Genius Open Mic you should check that out too sweet
OK-K-KAYYYY her voice is very tranquil and the band has her back... Relaxing Vibes..... she is an entire mood, can't you see the colors of the music??? Blues, Purples and Golds..... We are riding with her in Detroit, and we know good rhythmic sounds 👌 Get 'em Boo, GET 'em..
Tems' voice is like no other!
Her voice is so beautiful ❤️❤️❤️ And her song writing is top tier😍😍😍 We love Tems over here🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
Never paid attention to "Replay" but after this rendition i think it's about to become my new fav on the EP after "avoid tings"
This first Tiny Desk is her best...so pure. so simple....shes even better live than on the album. Beautiful song writer and singer....Keep blessing us Queen
wow she's BREATHTAKING, I need to see her live !
When she goes “I’ve been going through things and it’s turning me upside down ” I just cry 🥺❤️
🤗
I literally just got to that part, when I seen your comment 💙
She is hypnotic. Her voice. Her eyes. I can't look away
💯
I'm a straight woman and I agree wholeheartedly 😌
she is next level. I could listen to her music all day long. Her vocals is off the chart, mad love for her.
5th: Tems is too natural, love her. 🇳🇬
I didnt even know Tems had done Tiny Desk before, the 2024 Tiny Desk brought me here 😮💨❤️🔥
Me too
Exactly I didn't know too 😢
Tems is a Nigerian music goddess, right up there with the Greek music god of old, Apollo.