Table of Contents
Tems gave a group of teenage girls the surprise of their lives when she walked into a songwriting workshop at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The Nigerian star appeared alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama during the centre’s opening week.
The Gist
- Tems surprised teen songwriters in Chicago
- Appeared with Michelle Obama at the Obama Center
- Shared advice from her Lagos music journey
The two-time Grammy winner shared advice drawn from her own path as a self-taught artist from Lagos. For the young writers, it was an unforgettable moment.
Inside the workshop
The session took place on 16 June in the centre’s Media Suite. It welcomed 15 high-school-aged girls from After School Matters programmes and the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance Network.
Teaching artist Me’Chelle Robinson, known professionally as Darkhoneeey, led the class. She introduced the participants to songwriting as a tool for storytelling, collaboration and self-discovery.
Then came the surprise. The singer slipped into the room and spoke directly to the students about finding their voice and trusting their instincts.
Tems mentors the next generation
She used the moment to highlight her Leading Vibe Initiative, a programme that supports young women pursuing careers in music. It offers mentorship, workshops and access to the industry.
The star spoke about the challenges she faced building a career without formal training. Her message was simple: persistence and authenticity matter more than a perfect start.
“Truly wonderful and inspiring,” she said of the day, reflecting on her time with the aspiring artists.
Michelle Obama joins in
After the students presented their work, Michelle Obama joined the group. She listened to their original pieces and encouraged them to keep using their creativity to shape the future.
The former First Lady shared a video of the moment on her social media, praising the young women for their courage and talent.
From self-taught to mentor
The singer’s own story gave her words weight. She built her career largely on her own terms, learning production and songwriting as she went.
That path resonated with the teenagers, many of whom are just beginning to explore music seriously. Her advice centred on patience, self-belief and the value of telling honest stories.
The Leading Vibe Initiative she leads is built around that idea. It aims to remove some of the barriers she faced by connecting young women with mentors and industry contacts.
A win for Afrobeats
The appearance underlines how far Nigerian music has travelled. An artist who once recorded in Lagos bedrooms now mentors teenagers inside a US presidential centre.
It also reflects a growing pattern of Afrobeats stars investing in young creatives. From scholarships to studios, several Nigerian acts are building pipelines for the next wave of talent.
Tems has been vocal about wanting to open doors she once found shut. Her presence at the centre turned that mission into a visible, hands-on moment.
Sharing a room with a former First Lady also placed Afrobeats firmly in a mainstream American cultural setting. For Nigerian fans, the symbolism was hard to miss.
For the 15 girls in Chicago, the lesson was personal. They met a global star who started small, and left with proof that big dreams can begin anywhere.
The collaboration also reinforced the Obama Presidential Center’s mission to nurture young people, helping them discover their voices and build leadership through the arts.
Source: Obama Presidential Center
