Nigerian superstar Tems surprised fans Nov. 21 with the release of Love is a Kingdom, a seven-track EP that strips away the noise to reveal the artist at her most vulnerable and self-assured. The 19-minute project arrives as fans continue flooding TikTok with videos set to standout tracks “What You Need” and “Big Daddy,” proving the Grammy-winning artist’s ability to capture universal emotions while maintaining her signature ethereal sound.
Love is a Kingdom finds Tems diving deep into the complexities of love across its many dimensions. The project opens with “First,” a declaration of self-renewal that immediately establishes the EP’s central thesis: putting yourself first isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. Over soft guitar melodies, Tems sings about hanging by herself these days, moving differently after being let down one too many times. It’s a gentle but firm boundary-setting that resonates with anyone who’s had to choose themselves over someone else’s expectations.
What makes this EP remarkable is Tems’s almost complete creative control. She wrote, produced, and composed most of the project herself, bringing in trusted collaborators GuiltyBeatz, AOD, LONDON, and V-Ron only for light touches. The result is pure Tems, unfiltered and unapologetic. The decision to keep the EP feature-free allows her airy falsetto and introspective songwriting to command every moment, creating an intimate listening experience that feels like reading someone’s private journal.
‘Big Daddy’ pulsates with Tems’ explosiveness
“Big Daddy” stands out as one of the EP’s most explosive moments. The track pulses with choppy basslines and melodious production from GuiltyBeatz and AOD, creating the perfect backdrop for Tems to confront those who only show up when it’s convenient. The song carries an epiphany that resonates throughout the project: you didn’t actually need someone else in the first place. Fans have latched onto the track’s infectious energy, creating countless TikTok videos that capture its empowering message of recognizing your worth and cutting off those who don’t see it.
“What You Need” offers a different kind of confrontation, one that’s equally powerful but more subdued. The track weaves a sharply honest story about facing hard truths and letting go of relationships that no longer serve you. Tems croons over a lighthearted R&B beat about realizing someone’s love isn’t her lifeline, that she’s better on her own. It’s the kind of revelation that comes after months or years of trying to make something work, finally admitting what you’ve known all along. TikTok users have embraced the track’s raw honesty, using it to soundtrack their own moments of clarity and self-realization.
The EP balances these moments of strength with genuine vulnerability. “I’m Not Sure” explores romantic uncertainty with tender care, Tems’ voice feather-light as she navigates the delicate balance between opening up and protecting yourself. She sets boundaries while remaining open to possibility, singing about being all yours if you’re worth it. It’s modern love at its most honest, acknowledging that uncertainty doesn’t mean weakness.
“Lagos Love” brings the project back to Tems’ Nigerian roots, pulsing with the city’s unique rhythm and romance. Mine flips the energy completely with explosive 808s and crisp percussion, creating a dancefloor-ready track that’s both flirtatious and forward-looking while maintaining the agency that defines all of Tems’ work.
The most daring track
The EP closes with “Is There A Reason,” perhaps its most daring moment. Here, Tems steps outside her usual first-person perspective to share a divine conversation. Over sparse keys and soft synths, she questions why God has blessed her so abundantly, turning prayer into music and music into meditation. It’s vivid, spiritual, and deeply human, a culmination of the EP’s exploration of love’s many dimensions.
Love is a Kingdom succeeds because of its intentionality. Every track reflects a specific aspect of love: self-renewal, uncertainty, desire, clarity, and spiritual grounding. The production remains minimal yet rich, creating space for Tems’ vocals to shine. After a year of sold-out global tours and major festival performances at Coachella and Glastonbury, this EP feels like Tems taking a breath and reminding herself and her fans what truly matters.
In under 20 minutes, Tems proves that love is indeed a kingdom, but not one reserved for the anointed. It belongs to anyone willing to build and protect it, starting with loving yourself first.
