Award winning Nigerian musician Tems has officially canceled her highly anticipated “Born in the Wild” world tour performance in Kigali, Rwanda, following concerns over the country’s alleged involvement in the ongoing Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict.
The celebrated Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer, born Temilade Openiyi, was set to captivate music fans at BK Arena on March 22, 2025.
Tems took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation, expressing her regret for promoting the show without prior knowledge of the geopolitical tensions in the region.
“So I recently promoted my show in Rwanda without realizing that there is an ongoing conflict between Rwanda and Congo,” said Tems on Thursday.
“I never ever intend to be insensitive to real-world issues, and I sincerely apologize if this came across that way,” she added.
“I simply had no idea this was going on. My heart goes out to those affected. Conflict is no joke and I truly hope and pray for peace in this time.”
Rwanda has been accused by the United Nations, Western governments, and Congolese authorities of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has been responsible for escalating violence and displacement in eastern DRC.
Rwanda was scheduled to be a key stop on Tems’ global tour, alongside other major African cities, including Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Accra, and Addis Ababa.
Politics
This cancellation highlights the growing intersection of entertainment and politics, where artists are increasingly expected to engage with global issues.
In recent years, musicians have been pressured to boycott certain countries over human rights concerns.
Tems, known for chart-topping hits such as “Free Mind” and “Essence,” has built a massive global following.
The 29-year-old won her first Grammy at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023 in the Best Melodic Rap Performance category for her contribution to Future’s song “Wait For U,” which also featured Drake.
Her Kigali concert was expected to be a night of electrifying music, drawing fans from across the region and further positioning Kigali as a rising entertainment capital in Africa.
However, the show will no longer take place after backlash over Rwanda’s alleged role in the conflict in eastern DRC.
Despite this setback, the Born in the Wild tour will continue with scheduled performances across Africa, Europe, and North America.
