By Ezeana Emmanuel
Nigerian singer Tems is facing backlash online after teasing a new song, with many fans saying the timing missed the mark given what’s happening in the country right now.
The Grammy winner posted on X Tuesday with just four words: “What you need. Wednesday.” It was a short promo, but it set off a much bigger reaction.
Lots of Nigerians in her replies expressed frustration, arguing that pushing new music while the country deals with rising insecurity, economic pressure and a falling standard of living felt out of touch.
“Dumbass, Nigeria is bleeding, and you’re dropping this,” one user wrote. Another said he’s still a fan, but the post fits a pattern of top Nigerian artists seeming distant from the daily struggles of the people who made them stars. “This is not the time to drop songs, support our movement, this country dey spoil,” another comment read.
A lot of celebrities tend to become blinded by their own success to the reality of things. When your daily worries go from “can I afford transport?” to “how’s the tour schedule?”, the distance between you and your audience grows, even if you don’t mean for it to. And Nigerian fans, dealing with inflation, insecurity, and the math of just getting by, notice that distance.
The criticism taps into a tension that’s gotten louder as life gets harder for everyday Nigerians. In several states, food alone eats up over 80% of the minimum wage. Insecurity keeps forcing people out of their homes across the north and southeast. Public anger toward government and public figures is at a high.
Tems isn’t the first celebrity to get this kind of heat. When people feel failed by institutions and leaders, they start looking to big-name figures to say something, or at least show they’re aware of what’s going on before posting promos. Davido has also come out to admit that artists and big names such as himself needs to do better in taking action and spreading awareness of the decaying country
As of now, Tems hasn’t responded publicly. It’s also unclear if the song will still drop as planned.
