Rihanna showers Tems with love over collaboration on Black Panther soundtrack

Nigerian singer Tems received praise from American pop star Rihanna for their soundtrack contribution to the Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

With Tems, music producer Ludwig Göransson, and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, Rihanna co-wrote the song titled “Lift Me Up.”

An ecstatic Tems thanked Rihanna for the collaboration on Instagram on Friday, praising the singer’s voice as “perfection.”

She wrote: “Blessed to have written this song in honour of Chadwick Boseman and even more blessed to hear the baddest @badgalriri voice it to perfection.”

Reacting in the comment section, Rihanna expressed love for the ‘Essence’ singer.

“Its the pen for me, love you sistren,” the mother of one wrote with love emoji.

The track which will be released on November 4, was written as a tribute to the lead star of the first Black Panther film, Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 at the age of 43.

In a press statement, Tems said, “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life.

“I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them.

“Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honour.”

In September 2021, Tems whose real name is Temilade Openiyi met Rihanna at an event promoting the latter’s Savage Xfenty collection in America.

The 26-year-old was invited to the event held in Los Angeles on Wednesday September 22.

Tems manager Muyiwa shared the video of their meeting on his Instagram page on Thursday September 23 with the caption: “A moment to remember.”

In the video, Rihanna gave Tems a tight hug as she kept screaming “oh my God”. The 34-year-old couldn’t stop giggling as Tems looked pleased with their meeting.