After a two-year hiatus, Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems is finally making her way back to Kenya and fans couldn’t be more excited. On September 28, 2025, she will headline the much-anticipated Blankets & Wine festival in Nairobi, marking her first-ever performance in the country.
Tems was initially slated to perform in Nairobi in October 2022, but the show was cancelled, leaving thousands of fans disappointed. Now, the acclaimed artist behind hits like Free Mind, Essence, and Me & U is officially set to take the stage at Kenya’s most iconic music, arts, and lifestyle festival.
The announcement, made by event organisers on X (formerly Twitter), has created a social media frenzy, with fans hailing the 2025 edition as the “best Blankets & Wine lineup in years.” Tems’ return comes just weeks after her widely praised performance at the FIFA Club World Cup Final halftime show in New Jersey, further elevating the anticipation for her Nairobi debut.
But Tems won’t be alone in making magic on stage.
This year’s lineup boasts a dynamic mix of Pan-African talent. Willis Chimano formerly of Sauti Sol is set to bring his bold solo act to the festival. Known for his daring fashion and genre-defying sound, Chimano has been carving his own path since the band’s split.
Also performing is Zaituni Wambui, a standout Kenyan artist pioneering the “Urban Taarab” sound, blending traditional Swahili influences with contemporary rhythms. Ugandan rising star Joshua Baraka, famous for his viral hit Wrong Places, will also take the stage a performance made more meaningful following his recent revelation of his Kenyan roots.
Rounding out the lineup is Toxic Lyrikali, a fast-rising rapper known for his gritty, street-inspired rhymes that echo the pulse of Nairobi’s urban life.
As the date approaches, excitement is reaching fever pitch. After years of waiting, Kenyan fans are ready to welcome Tems with open arms and sing along to every note. This will be a night to remember, Nairobi. Let the countdown to Blankets & Wine 2025 begin!
