Nigerian singer Tems’ debut album, “Born in The Wild,” has achieved significant success, including becoming the highest charting album in the U.S. by a Nigerian female artist.
But topping the list of “things you didn’t know but now you know” about the “Love Me Jeje” croone and her 18-track work of art is the hidden meaning behind the album cover art.
At first glance, the cover features Tems, adorned in shimmering gold trinkets, set against a dark backdrop with light illuminating her face. It’s a striking image that invites curiosity. And if you thought it was a bit random for an album with such a title, you’re not alone.
However, as with all things art, there’s more than meets the eye, and Tems’ latest explanation proves why.
In a recent chat with The Cruz Show, Tems revealed the cover’s deeper significance, which ties in beautifully with the album’s title. She explains that it represents a child in the womb, eagerly awaiting birth. “The album cover is basically me waiting to be born…the light on my eyes is the opening to my destiny,” she shares.
So, not only was this not a random shot, it’s a peek into the cradle of life itself.
A second glance at the cover art and the artistic choices become well appreciated. The darkness surrounding her? Well, that makes perfect sense—after all, a uterus doesn’t come equipped with lamps. And those glimmering jewels? They symbolize royalty because if you’re Tems and are waiting to be born, you might as well do it in style, right?
Even the wavy hair isn’t just for aesthetics; it signifies wildness. In other words, Tems isn’t coming here to play—a warning we might have missed on the track “Gangster” when she reminded us that she was ready with her “guns and bullets.”
All this is to say, never judge a book—or an album—by its cover. To put it more accurately, don’t judge album art based solely on its first impression. Whether it’s a lyric, a snapshot from a film, or an artwork, only the artist truly knows the story behind the picture.
The next time you flip through your playlist, remember: there might just be a world of meaning waiting to be discovered beneath that captivating cover art!