By Uche Amunike
Successful Nigerian Singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tem’s diagnosed recently with Reflux Laryngitis, has informed her fans that is time for her to take a break from music till further notice.
The musician made this announcement on her official Instagram page, Tuesday.
Hear her: ‘It breaks my heart to say this, but there has been no other option for me. I’m not feeling too good at the moment. After my last performance, I was diagnosed with Reflux Laryngitis, and I have to take some time off to protect what’s left of my voice,’ she posted.
‘On doctor’s order, I have to postpone the two shows this week. The new dates for both shows will be announced tomorrow.’
She further explained that all tickets that were bought by her fans were still valid and promised to be back, better than ever so as to give them better shows in the future.
According to the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh which had Tems diagnosed, her medical condition, Reflux Laryngitis, is a voice disorder that is caused by irritation and swelling of the vocal folds owing to the backflow of stomach fluids into the throat.
It is this backflow that they explained to be Laryngopharyngeal Reflux which is acid or other chemicals from the stomach, reaching to the level of the throat.
Typical symptoms of this medical condition include a sensation of a lump or excess mucus in the throat, hoarseness, post-nasal drip, a non productive cough and an excessive need to clear the throat.
They had Tems diagnosed, days after Justin Bieber, the Canadian -based musician revealed to his fans that he had partial face paralysis and would be taking a break from music.
The 28 year-old Bieber informed his fans in a video, made on his Instagram page, that he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome which caused his partial facial paralysis.
Tems has paid her dues in the music world, having gained international recognition and also a Grammy nomination for ‘Essence’. She has also been featured on the albums of international superstars like Drake and Future.
She received her second platinum plague in May. Shortly after that she joined Wizkid as the only other Nigerian artist with two American Platinum Plaques.
This 26-year-old successful queen of the microphone has her roots in Lagos State, Nigeria, where she was born.
She earned her double platinum after Future, the American rapper, clarified the Nigerian artist’s credit on the album on Twitter.
Tems and Drake were featured by Future, on the track released on May 3rd. It is the second single from features ninth studio album titled ‘II Never Liked You’.
In America, Platinum certification implies that an album has sold one million copies or that a single has sold 2 million copies.
On her part, Tems earned her first Platinum Plaque in October 2021 after ‘Essence’ crossed the one million sales mark.
The BET Awards which will take place on Sunday, June 26 2022 and hosted by Taraji B. Henson has Tems’ name as nominee for ‘Best New Artist’, ‘Best International Act’ and ‘Best Collaboration’ categories.