Nigerian songstress, Tems, has openly acknowledged Seyi Sodimu for his part in her recent Grammy win.
At the just-concluded 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony, the newly minted two-time Grammy winner took home the Best African Music Performance award for her song “Love Me Jeje,” a reimagining of Sodimu’s 1997 classic of the same title.
In a post on X, Tems tagged the original song a “timeless classic” and that she’s glad it’s getting the recognition it deserved. “I appreciate you so much, thank you for your love and support” she continued.
Tems’ post comes amidst displeasure among some fans for her omission of Sodimu during her Grammy acceptance speech. Receiving the award, the vocalist first gave thanks to God, her family and then her team, with no mention of Sodimu in her minute-long speech—a detail that did not go unnoticed by fans.
Shortly after her Grammy win, a user on X, @bros_aik, called it a “major faux pas” on the part of both Tems and her team.
Fans drew comparisons with Tyla, the immediate previous winner of the category, who used her acceptance as an opportunity to school the audience on the shortest distinction between the African Music umbrella and Afrobeats —that is, not before giving a shout out to the genre’s diversity and Amapiano. Tyla also had her fair share of criticism though, not necessarily her speech, but for handing her Grammy award to rapper Lil Nas X to hold for her.
Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 “Love me Jeje” also featured vocals from actress Shaffy Bello, who was also not acknowledged by Tems.
However, many fans are unbothered, believing that Tems’ omission came not from an intention to disregard but likely due to the adrenaline rush that comes with becoming a Grammy winner. She has previously expressed her love for the original on multiple occasions.