Tems shines in “Born in the Wild.”
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TOP 5
Honorable Mention. Free Fall (Ft. J. Cole)
OK, Cole is back, folks.
J. Cole has been acting differently since apologizing for going crazy on Kendrick Lamar. Particularly, he’s been featured on some very interesting tracks, such as the weird-ass “Grippy” with Cash Cobain and the very strange “Red Leather” with Future. “Free Fall” is one of the tracks where I actually think he fits. With an elegant, gentle beat backing him up and angelic vocals by Tems preceding his contributions, Cole delivers a focused verse that has outstanding wordplay and real n**ga lyrics about the tug-of-war that people like him go through while in a relationship. Damn, who would’ve thought Tems would bring back the real Cole?
“Hold On” is better than “Free Fall,” but I think you need to hear Cole’s verse in this track.
5. Burning
This is Tems channeling her inner ’90s side.
You would think a track called “Burning” would be fiery, right? Nope, it’s as pleasant as it gets. Backed by a beat that gives me “Don’t Take It Personal” by Monica vibes, Tems says the word “burning” repeatedly only how she can say it: With pure passion and elegance. Overall, I think this track will soothe your soul and teach you lessons on how to move in a world that may feel like a maze at times.
4. Hold On
If Tems tells me to hold on, I’m grabbing that f**king handlebar like my life depends on it.
I don’t think you can close out an album better than this. “Hold On” is one of those tracks that sounds like it took years to make. It boasts extremely wise lyrics that it probably took a fully mature Tems to be able to write, a vocal performance that is so f**king pure and replenishing, and a vibrant, soul-clenching instrumental. This is music I’m sure GOD approves (GOD isn’t trying to hear whatever the heck Uzi makes).
3. Love Me Jeje
Tems said, “Your love turns me up like NEPA.” Only real Nigerians understand what that means…
In “Love Me Jeje,” Tems reminds us of the powerful impact of love. Set against a feel-good, slightly island-infused instrumental, the Nigerian singer expresses how her special someone makes her feel like she’s on cloud nine. With repeated declarations of “I love you” and expressions of mutual understanding, Tems conveys a sense of youthful joy reminiscent of a high schooler experiencing their first love. Her heartwarming lyrics are complemented by the gleefulness evident in her voice from start to finish, making the track absolutely stunning.
2. Wickedest
“Wickedest” samples one of the greatest Nigerian tracks of all time. I know this because I used to listen to it all the time as a child. Now, I just need to know the name of that song…
Do you know how some guys claim they’re on “demon time”? Well, Tems and her girls are on “wicked time.” While she doesn’t talk about committing any sins, she does emphasize having a heart that can’t be walked all over.
I love this track’s frantic yet smooth production, the motivational lyrics, and how Tems seamlessly switches between her signature powerful singing and a b-boy-like rap style. Can you imagine Tems f**king breakdancing? I cannot.
1. Me & U
Be prepared to smell my hot breath if it’s only me and you.
Tems’ words in “Me & U” are captivating. Lyrics like, “I want to show you my world. Give me one break, I need faith, Faith to believe you, faith to receive you, Give me something. I love you, I don’t need nothing, you are my everything,” and “Make me your matter, make me your matter, make me your matter, Show me your substance, make me your person, make me your person,” passionately demonstrate her willingness to give her all in a relationship she is enamored with. In addition to her beautiful words, Tems also graces us with touching vocals that harmonize perfectly with the song’s uptempo, smooth Afropop backdrop. If everything I just mentioned doesn’t resonate with you, I guarantee that her highly infectious hook will.
SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
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RGM RATING
(B-) (82%)
Whether this album lives up to your expectations or not, one thing is totally true: Tems’ music makes you feel good inside.
Something that always makes me laugh is when people hear a Nigerian accent and assume that person is only an Afropop artist. While many strictly make Afropop music, Tems is so much more than that. Throughout Born in the Wild, she sings over production I could see Monica or Sade singing over, and for Christ’s sake, she even raps in “T-Unit.” Though I do prefer the tracks that lean towards Afrobeats, Tems is so much more than that.
I have always been fond of singers who present the positive side of love and heartbreak, and Tems does just that in Born in the Wild. Throughout the project, she avoids the “woe is me” mentality. Instead, she tackles her relationship issues with great poise, applying lessons she’s learned over the years. When she’s not discussing relationships, she focuses on personal growth and gratitude for the fruits of her labor. I am a huge fan of Tems’ empowering lyrics.
Tems is a great singer, but I didn’t love her performances in Born in the Wild. She seems to rely heavily on her go-to sound and uses it repeatedly throughout the album. I wish her melodies had more variety, distinctiveness, and creativity. In short, I would love to hear more experimentation with Tems’ melodies.
I feel like this album was designed to make the world fall in love with Tems. I was already in love with her, but hearing much more of her spirit was satisfying.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
