Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has released a surprise extended play titled Love Is a Kingdom, a seven-track project that blends Afrobeats, alt-R&B, and her signature introspective sound.
The EP dropped on Friday with no prior announcement, marking her first solo project since her 2024 debut album, Born in the Wild.
The new release arrives under Since ’93 and RCA Records.
Clocking in at under 20 minutes, Love Is a Kingdom features seven songs: First, I’m Not Sure, Big Daddy, Lagos Love, Mine, What You Need, and Is There a Reason.
The project is described in its press notes as an “exploration of love, power, and spiritual clarity,” with Tems writing and producing most of the songs herself.
The focus track, Big Daddy, sees Tems questioning an unreliable lover.
“Where were you when there was no one around? / Where were you when I needed someone down? / What were you doing when nobody gave a damn?” she sings, pairing vulnerability with rhythm.
Although 2025 saw limited solo output, Tems remained visible through features and high-profile performances.
She appeared on Dave’s Raindance, joined Omah Lay on the remix of Ciza’s Isaka II, and featured on Justin Bieber’s I Think You’re Special off SWAG II.
Her most recent guest appearance was on You Get Me from Show Dem Camp’s Afrika Magik.
On stage, Tems performed at Afropunk Brasil on November 9 and attended GQ’s Men of the Year event in London, maintaining a strong global presence.
Tems’ previous album, Born in the Wild (2024), was a major breakthrough. The project earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
It also peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting album by a female Nigerian artist at the time.
Its hit single Love Me Jeje won the category for Best African Music Performance.
Tems also earned a 2023 Grammy for her contribution to Wait For U by Future featuring Drake, and in July 2024 became the first African artiste to perform at a Club World Cup final.
