Tems, Stevie Wonder, John Legend Headline Obama Presidential Centre Opening
Afrobeats star and Grammy Award winner Tems has been confirmed as one of the headline performers for the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
The announcement was made by the Obama Foundation, which named a lineup that includes some of the world’s biggest names in music, entertainment and public life for the event scheduled for June 18.
According to the Obama Foundation, the ceremony will be livestreamed globally and will include speeches from former United States President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Tems will perform alongside Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Common, Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Stevie Wonder, The Roots and U2’s The Edge.
The event marks the official dedication of the Obama Presidential Center, built to celebrate the legacy of the Obama presidency while promoting civic engagement, leadership and community development.
The Foundation said the opening would bring together global leaders, artists, and citizens for a celebration of the Obama presidency’s values of hope, service and public leadership.
Beyond the musical performances, the programme will feature remarks from actress Marsai Martin, businessman Marty Nesbitt and former White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. An invocation will be led by Pastor Joel Hunter and Joshua DuBois.
Born Temilade Openiyi, Tems rose to international acclaim following the success of Essence, her hit song with Wizkid, a track that further projected Afrobeats to a wider global audience. Collaborations with Drake, Future, Beyoncé and Rihanna followed.
In 2023, Tems won her first Grammy for Future’s Wait For U, which also featured Drake. Further Grammy nominations followed, cementing her place as one of Africa’s most recognised contemporary music stars.
