Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, better known by her stage name Tems, has disclosed that she had to postpone the release of her debut album due to a “serious illness” (she did not elaborate).

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Tems—who rose to prominence in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s summer hit song “Essence”—revealed that the sickness that required surgery and a six-month recuperation period had delayed the release of her debut album, which was originally slated for 2021.

The Oscar-nominated diva clarified that in its place, she published her second lengthy play, “If Orange Was a Place.”

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She claimed that some of the inspiration for her new music, which was about accepting life as a warrior, came from her battle to regain health.

“The essence of a warrior lies in perseverance,” she remarked. “Using what you have, you fight and walk on your knees even if they cut your leg, and that’s good enough.”

On June 7, Tems’ eagerly awaited and highly anticipated debut album, “Born In The Wild,” will be released.

In June, she will also begin her first global headline tour.