Robyn Rihanna ‘Riri’ Fenty has praised Temilade ‘Tems’ Openiyi’s songwriting skills.
In an Instagram post, the Nigerian award-winning singer-songwriter Tems expressed happiness over writing a song for the new ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ movie which was sung by the Barbadian music superstar.
“Blessed to have written this song in honour of Chadwick Boseman and even more blessed to hear the baddest @badgalriri [Rihanna] voice it to perfection,” she wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkPwsrYD8Wk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Joining other music notables under Tems IG post, Riri responded with: “It’s the pen for me. Love to you sistren [prayer hands, heart and flexing emojis].”
The song is titled ‘Lift Me Up’ and was released on Friday, 28 October 2022, much to the surprise and elation of Rihanna’s fans, alias Rihanna Navy. It has been 6 years since the serial hitmaker released a solo song.
Naomi Campbell, Tiwa Savage, SZA, Chance the Rapper, Gyakie, Ayra Starr, Stefflon Don, Asa, Sevyn Streeter and Stormzy are some of the celebrities who congratulated Tems on her creative collaboration with the music and fashion mogul.
The producer for the song, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, the director for the Marvel movie Ryan Coogler, Rihanna and Priscilla Renea assisted Tems in writing the sombre ‘Lift Me Up’ which has garnered millions of views only three days after release.
Tems also duets with Riri on the song.
Another contribution Tems has made to ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack is her cover of Bob Marley’s classic ‘No Woman, No Cry’ which was released as part of the Wakanda Forever Prologue EP in July and was featured in the teaser for the anticipated sequel.
On Friday, November 4, 2022, the entire ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack will be released.
Meanwhile, according to director Ryan Coogler, Rihanna got involved in the project simply to honour the late actor Chadwick Boseman who played King T’Challa in the initial Black Panther movie. He died in August 2020 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.