Tems Delivers Us the Perfect R&B Playlist for a Rainy Day

This is SOUND ADVICE, a weekly destination for playlists curated by Interview’s friends, enemies, and lovers. Over the past few weeks, we’ve gathered playlists by Kaliii, Thoom, and DJ Crazy Times. This week’s guest of honor is Tems, one of the stars of our September issue, who’s bringing us mellow R&B vibes. The Lagosian singer’s unmistakable, soul-stirring voice brought Afrobeats to the mainstream with “Essence,” and more recently spun a hypnotic cover of “No Woman No Cry” on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. As fans anxiously thirst for a studio album, Tems curated a 40-song playlist for us of her favorite danceable slow jams she calls “The Fog”—and also revealed her love of celery juice and Forrest Gump.

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Where do you dance? Anywhere I feel a vibe.

Fuck, marry, kill: Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Music? None, they’re not human beings.

Bluetooth or wired headphones? Bluetooth.

Best place to find jollof rice in the U.K.? The U.K.? Not sure!! But we always find some, somehow.

What’s the song that gets you in your feelings? “Home” – Kokoroko

Who do you trust most with the aux? My manager Wale.

Favorite on-the-road meal? Celery juice.

What song on this playlist makes you cry? None.

What song on this playlist makes you dance? All!

What was your first concert? My first concert was Falz in Nigeria.

Dead or alive, who is your dream collaborator? Sade.

Name your favorite artist no one knows about: Not sure if anyone knows, but Yebba is my fav.

Do you play an instrument? Piano and guitar, lightly though.

Where’s the afters? Aftersss—can’t remember names but good music makes the best ones.

What song do you have on repeat? A song of mine. Unreleased, hehe.

What do you listen to when you’re high? I don’t get high!

Who’s the queen of R&B? Queen… there’s too many to choose!!

What’s your favorite movie needle-drop? Forrest Gump.