Tems’ Manager Reveals Untold Story Behind the Future & Drake Collaboration
Tems’ manager, Nigerian music executive Muyiwa Awoniyi (better known as Donawon), has opened up about the untold story behind the Grammy-winning collaboration on “Wait for U,” a track with Drake and Future that played a pivotal role in Tems’ meteoric rise to global stardom.
In a recent interview, Donawon shared the behind-the-scenes journey of how Tems ended up on the chart-topping track, revealing key moments in the song’s creation. He explained that while Tems and her team were on set for a global Coca-Cola campaign, he received an urgent message from a colleague prompting him to check his email. Upon doing so, he discovered a request from Epic Records, the label representing Future, seeking clearance for “Wait for U,” a song that samples Tems’ track “Higher” for its hook.
What made the story even more intriguing was Donawon’s revelation that Drake, the Canadian superstar, was not originally part of the track. The song was initially cleared with just Future on board, and Drake’s involvement came later in the process, adding an unexpected twist to the track’s evolution.
“Wait for U” went on to become a major success, earning Tems two Grammy nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, ultimately leading to her first Grammy win. The track marked another significant milestone in Tems’ career, following her breakout success with “Essence” and collaborations with international stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé.
