Tems Pays Tribute To Her Nigerian Roots At The Met Gala

Tems made a powerful statement at the 2025 Met Gala on Monday. The Afrobeats queen seamlessly blended African tradition and couture as she arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She proudly wore a bespoke creation by British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng.

The Nigerian singer-songwriter and global sensation wore a blue-and-green mermaid-style vest gown crafted from Ankara. The costume is a bold and colorful African wax print fabric widely celebrated in West Africa, particularly in her native Nigeria. The ensemble featured refined tailoring layered over a blue pinstriped collared shirt. It was styled with a green pussy-bow tie and a matching peacock-print umbrella. Thus making an elegant homage to heritage and artistry.

Tems’ appearance came amid a landmark year for the rising icon. She recently won her second Grammy Award. Gaining it for Best African Music Performance for her sultry hit “Love Me JeJe.” The accolades don’t stop there — she also became the first African female artist to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify. All of it thanks partly to her acclaimed collaboration on Future’s chart-topping track “WAIT FOR U,” alongside Drake. Additionally, Tems entered the sports world, joining San Diego FC as a club partner.

Tems and Year of Major Success

This year’s Met Gala theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” drew inspiration from scholar Monica L. Miller’s 2009 book. The book is called “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” Thus, the official dress code — “Tailored for You” — challenged attendees to reimagine traditional menswear. They had to view it through a lens of personal and cultural expression.

So, Tems was among a constellation of influential figures celebrating the artistry of Black fashion. Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, and Lewis Hamilton served as co-chairs of the evening. Meanwhile, LeBron James was named honorary chair. However, he ultimately withdrew due to a late-season knee injury. Other notable figures on the host committee included Tyla, Doechii, André 3000, Usher, and Janelle Monáe. Each one of them brings their flair to the evening’s tribute to sartorial legacy and Black excellence.

With her striking look and cultural pride on full display, Tems once again proved that she’s not just a force in music — she’s a defining presence in the global creative conversation.