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Tempoe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tempoe
Background information
Also known asTempoe (MÄD!)
Born
Michael Chigozie Segun Alagwu

Lagos State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • DJ
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
Years active2016–present
LabelIndie

Michael Chigozie Segun Alagwu (born in Lagos, Nigeria), known professionally as Tempoe, is a Nigerian record producer,[1][2] songwriter, audio engineer, and recording artist based between Lagos and London. He is widely recognized by the producer tag “MÄD!,”[3] which appears at the start or end of most of his production work. Since entering the industry in 2016, Tempoe has built a catalogue anchored by some of Afrobeats’ biggest crossover records, most notably CKay’s “Love Nwantiti,” which became the first solo Nigerian song to surpass one billion streams[4] on Spotify, reached the top three of the UK Official Singles Chart, and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] The song has been certified 8× Platinum by the RIAA in the United States.[6]

Beyond “Love Nwantiti,” Tempoe has produced or co-produced hit singles for Omah Lay (“Godly,” “Understand,” “Soso”), Joeboy [7][8](“Door,” “Sip (Alcohol),” “SMH”), and Victony[9][10][11] (“Soweto,” on which he also appears as a credited performer).[12] He has since expanded into executive production, most visibly on Joeboy’s third studio album Viva

Lavida (2025), producing or co-producing the majority of the tracks on Omah Lay’s[13][14][10] 2026 sophomore album Clarity of Mind, where his work shaped the album’s overall sound and gave it its sonic direction.[6] He also produced “With You,” Davido[13] and Omah Lay’s collaboration nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards.[15]

His work has drawn recognition from the African Muzik Magazine Awards[16][17][18][19](AFRIMMA), which nominated him for African Producer of the Year in 2022;[20] the BMI Awards, which honored his work on “Love Nwantiti” at the 2022 BMI Awards in London and again at the 2023 BMI Pop Awards;[21][22] and The Headies,[23][24][25] which gave him three nominations in 2023, Producer of the Year (for “Soweto”), plus Best Recording of the Year and Viewers’ Choice for the song itself.[26] Rolling Stone placed “Soweto” at number 15 on its list of the 40 best Afropop songs of 2022.[27] As of late 2025, Tempoe held three RIAA [6][28][4][6][29] certifications for his production work: Gold for “Soweto” and Omah Lay’s “Soso,” and 8× Platinum for “Love Nwantiti,” which first reached Gold certification in January 2022 before climbing further.[6]

Musical career

[edit]

Tempoe began his career as a statistician, designer and web developer in Nigeria's budding tech industry. He had always found pleasure in music, teaching himself basic production techniques using the fFruity Lops app and producing songs for free, before a chance meeting with then aAfrobeats producer CKayled to him producing the latter's first official single, "Nkechi Turnup" in 2016.[30][31] He went on to produce other songs, such as Container for CKay and Play for Blaqbonez, both signed to Chocolate City. In a bid to improve his production skills, he enrolled at Sarz's Production Academy.[32]

In 2019, Tempoe collaborated again with CKay in the production of the afro-fusion single, Love Nwantiti.[33][32] The track has been certified platinum in France and the United Kingdom and double platinum in the United States and the Netherlands.[34][35] In November 2020, Tempoe teamed up with singer Omah Lay, producing another successful single, Godly, which garnered over 100 million accumulated streams across all music sharing platforms, peaking at number 5 and number 15 in Ghana and Kenya's top 100 tracks on iTunes.[36] Tempoe also produced the single Door from Joeboy's debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic,[37] and Sip (Alcohol), which received 50 million streams within four weeks of its release.[38]

In May 2022, he produced and performed in the single, Soweto, the lead track off Victony's Outlaw EP, which is his first official single as a performing artiste.[39][40] Tempoe released the video for Soweto in October 2022. The video was directed by Jyde Ajala and garnered over 8 million views on YouTube within four weeks.[41] The song featured at number 15 on Rolling Stone magazine's Top 40 Afropop Songs of 2022.[42]

In 2022, Tempoe signed a publishing deal with American independent record publishing group, APG, and the partnership led to his being tapped to co-write and produce Robinson and Jason Derulo's single Ayo Girl, which features fellow Nigerian afrobeat act, Rema.[43]

Charts and certifications

[edit]
S/N Song Charts/Certifications
1 “Love Nwantiti” RIAA 8× Platinum (US); Diamond (France, SNEP); first solo Nigerian song to pass 1 billion Spotify streams; No. 1, Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart (2022); UK Official Singles Chart Top 3; No. 26, Billboard Hot 100 [6][28][4]
2 “Soweto” RIAA Gold (US, certified 15 September 2025); charted in the UK, Canada, Netherlands and Switzerland; No. 15, Rolling Stone Top 40 Afropop Songs of 2022.[6][29]
3 “Soso” (Omah Lay) RIAA Gold (US)[6]
4 “Godly” No. 1 for a record 11 weeks on the TurnTable Top 50; No. 5 Ghana iTunes Top 100; No. 15, Kenya iTunes Top 100; 150M+ plays on YouTube Music; 100M+ Spotify streams.[44][45]
5 “Sip (Alcohol)” Nigeria (TCSN) 4× Platinum; No. 1, TurnTable Top 50 (nine consecutive weeks); UK Afrobeats Chart peak No. 2.[46]
6 “Understand” No. 1, TurnTable Top 50 (three weeks).[47]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Tempoe received a nomination for the African Producer of the Year at the 2022 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) alongside Pheelz from Nigeria and DJ Maphoriza from South Africa in September 2022.[18][19][48] In October 2022, he was honored by BMI at the BMI Awards London for his contribution to the song Love Nwantiti[49] in the category of Most Performed Song of the Year.[50][51] He was listed in the TurnTable End of the Year Top 50 of 2021 as a Top Producer of the Year.

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2021 The Beatz Awards 2021 Afro Dancehall Producer of the Year Himself for "Godly" by Omah Lay Nominated [52]
2022 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) African Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [19][18]
BMI Awards London Most Performed Song of the Year Love Nwantiti Won [50][51]
2022 Rolling Stone Top 40 Afropop Songs of 2022 (“Soweto,” No. 15) Soweto Listed [27]
2023 AFRIMMA Awards African Producer of the Year Tempoe Nominated [16][17]
2023 The Headies (16th edition) Producer of the Year (“Soweto”) Tempoe Nominated [23]
2023 The Headies (16th edition) Best Recording of the Year (“Soweto,” with Victony) Soweto Nominated [24]
2023 The Headies (16th edition) Viewers’ Choice (“Soweto”) Soweto Nominated [25]
2025 AFRIMMA Awards Producer of the Year Tempoe Nominated [53]
Grammy Awards Best African Music Performance Category With You Nominated [54]

Achievements

[edit]

Tempoe has produced several internationally certified recordings, including CKay's ''Love Nwantiti'', Omah Lay's ''Soso'', and Victony and Tempoe's ''Soweto''. These songs have received Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum certifications across multiple territories, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Nigeria.[55][56][57][58][59]

Production discography

[edit]
  • 2016
  1. Nkechi Turnup - CKay
  2. Container - Ckay
  3. Play - Blaqbonez
  • 2019
  1. Love Nwantiti - CKay
  2. Jensimi - Reminisce featuring Niniola[60]
  • 2020
  1. Godly - Omah Lay
  2. Party Dé - DJ Lambo featuring Buju
  • 2021
  1. Understand - Omah Lay[61]
  2. Bend You - Omah Lay
  3. Door - Joeboy
  4. Soso - Omah Lay
  5. Alcohol (Sip) - Joeboy
  6. Purple Song - Omah Lay
  7. Piece of Mind - Mayorkun
  8. 100 Metres - Teni
  9. On - Teni
  10. Door (remix) - Joeboy Featuring Kwesi Arthur
  • 2022
  1. The Front Door - MI Abaga featuring Duncan Mighty
  2. Soweto - Victony and Tempoe
  3. Ayo Girl - Robinson and Jason Derulo featuring Rema
  4. Contour - Joeboy
  5. Iz Going - Bad Boy Timz
  6. Something to Lose - Wurld
  7. Press - Wurld
  8. Same as You - Wurld
  9. Mine - Blanche Bailly and Joeboy
  10. Winter Wonderland/Don't Worry be Happy - Omah Lay

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Clifford, Elizabeth (2025-09-19). "Tempoe bags third RIAA plaque as 'Soweto' goes Gold in the U.S." NotjustOk. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  2. ↑ "Tempoe". Music In Africa. 2023-03-09. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  3. ↑ "4× Platinum record producer, Tempoe on a hit streak with 'Soweto'". The Sun. Lagos, Nigeria. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "CKay Makes History As 'Love Nwantiti' Reaches 1 Billion Spotify Streams". Pulse Nigeria. 2025-12-10. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  5. ↑ Otim, Gerry (2022-01-25). "In Conversation With: Tempoe". THE FLOOR MAG. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Clifford, Elizabeth (2025-09-19). "Tempoe bags third RIAA plaque as 'Soweto' goes Gold in the U.S." NotjustOk. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  7. ↑ "Nigeria: Joeboy shares Tempoe-produced SMH single". Music In Africa. 2025-02-07. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  8. ↑ culture, custodian. "Joeboy and Tempoe Reprise Prolific Partnership With "SMH"". culturecustodian.com. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  9. ↑ "Victony's "Soweto" Remix Features Rema, Don Toliver And Tempoe". 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  10. 1 2 custodian, culture (30 April 2023). "Victony, Omah Lay, And Tempoe Blend Afrobeat And Pop for "Soweto Remix"". culturecustodian.com. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  11. ↑ Charts, TurnTable (2023-01-23). "Victony & Tempoe's "Soweto" Reaches a New Peak on the Official Nigeria Top 100 After 20 Weeks". TurnTable Charts. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  12. ↑ Adekunle, Musa (2025-04-12). "Re-tuning Afrobeats' Tempoe". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  13. 1 2 Tella, Suliyat (2025-11-17). "The producers behind Nigeria's biggest songs of 2025". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  14. ↑ Adeyinka, Ayomitide (2026-03-06). "Omah Lay Sets April 3 Release Date for Sophomore Album 'Clarity of Mind'". YNaija. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  15. ↑ "2026 Grammys: See The Full Winners & Nominees List". Grammy. 2026-02-01. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  16. 1 2 Digimillennials (2023-03-10). "Tempoe is back and he's raising the tempo - Digimillennials". Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  17. 1 2 Independent, Daily (2022-10-15). "Tempoe Receives AFRIMMA Nomination For African Producer Of The Year". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  18. 1 2 3 "Tempoe Receives Afrimma Nomination For African Producer Of The Year". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  19. 1 2 3 "AFRIMMA 2022 nominees unveiled as Gen Z Stars dominate". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  20. ↑ Nwafor (2022-09-24). "AFRIMMA 2022 nominees unveiled as Gen Z Stars dominate". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  21. ↑ BellaNaija.com (2022-10-05). "Tems, Wizkid & CKay Among Top Winners at BMI London Awards". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  22. ↑ "Wizkid, Tems, CKay, Joeboy, Tempoe, P2J, win BMI London Awards". Pulse Nigeria. 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  23. 1 2 Akinyode, Peace (2023-07-12). "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  24. 1 2 Akinyode, Peace (2023-07-12). "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  25. 1 2 Akinyode, Peace (2023-07-12). "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  26. ↑ Akinyode, Peace (2023-07-12). "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  27. 1 2 afropop-songs-of-2022-1234650065/ "Music lists best afropop songs of 2022". Rollingstone. 2026-07-11. Retrieved 2026-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  28. 1 2 NG, BusinessDay (2022-07-27). nwantiti-is-certified-diamond-in-france "Love Nwantiti is certified diamond in france". Businessday. Retrieved 2022-07-27. {{cite news}}: |first= has generic name (help); Check |url= value (help)
  29. 1 2 afropop-songs-of-2022-1234650065/ "Best afropop songs of 2022". Rollingstone. 2026-07-11. Retrieved 2026-07-11. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  30. ↑ "RAISING THE TEMPOE OF AFROBEATS' GLOBAL TAKEOVER". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  31. ↑ "New Music Ckay – Nkechi Turn Up". soundcity.tv. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  32. 1 2 "Introducing Tempoe: The Producer Behind The Latest Chart-topping Afrobeat Records". the49thstreet.com. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  33. ↑ "How CKay's 'Love Nwantiti' Became the World's Song". okayafrica.com. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  34. ↑ "Tempoe Produced "Love Nwantiti" Goes Double Platinum In The United States". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  35. ↑ "CKay's 'Love Nwantiti' Certified Platinum in UK". coolfm.ng. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  36. ↑ "Music Producer, Tempoe's "Godly" Raises Bar". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  37. ↑ "The Nigerian producers to watch out for in 2021". pan-african-music.com. 28 April 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  38. ↑ "BBC World Service - Tempoe". bbc.co.uk. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  39. ↑ "Meet the Magic finger producer 'Tempoe'". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  40. ↑ "Tempoe consolidates production mastery to become recording act". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  41. ↑ "New Video: Victony & Tempoe – Soweto". BellaNaija. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  42. ↑ "The 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2022". rollingstone.com. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  43. ↑ "Tempoe's Rising Profile with Stephanie Okocha". This Day. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  44. ↑ "Tempoe - Music In Africa". Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  45. ↑ "Appendix A.", The Sound of Scripture, 1517 Media, 2020-03-01, pp. 82–84, doi:10.2307/j.ctvzcz3c9.12, ISBN 978-1-942304-91-3, retrieved 2026-07-21
  46. ↑ "Sip (Alcohol)", Wikipedia, 2026-03-28, retrieved 2026-07-21
  47. ↑ "Turntable Charts". Turntable Charts. Archived from the original on 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2026-07-21.
  48. ↑ "AFRIMMA 2022 nominees". afrimma.com. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  49. ↑ "Wizkid, Tems, CKay, Joeboy, Tempoe, P2J, win BMI London Awards". Pulse Nigeria. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  50. 1 2 "BMI London Awards". bmi.com. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  51. 1 2 "TEMPOE Wins Big at the BMI London's Awards". This Day. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  52. ↑ "TEMPOE Wins Big at the BMI London's Awards". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  53. ↑ "AFRIMA 2025: Full Nominees List Unveiled". Nigeria Info, Let's Talk!. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  54. ↑ X; LinkedIn (2025-11-07). "Here's the complete list of 2026 Grammy nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  55. ↑ "CKay sets new record on Spotify with "CKay the First"". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  56. ↑ "UK's No.1 African Radio Network". Cosoro Radio UK. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  57. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  58. ↑ "CKay's 'Love Nwantiti' becomes highest RIAA certified Nigerian song". P.M. News. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  59. ↑ "CKAY / LOVE NWANTITI". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  60. ↑ "Record Producer, Tempoe Talks Music Production and Future Projects". boomplay.com. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  61. ↑ "Meet 3 of the Producers Behind Afrobeats' Latest Hits". okayafrica.com. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
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