• Tems made her COLORS debut performing “What You Need” from her EP Love Is A Kingdom.
  • The live version highlights the song’s raw vulnerability and cinematic arrangement.
  • A navy-blue set and minimalist styling framed Tems’ commanding vocal delivery.
  • Fans can watch the full COLORS performance via the embedded YouTube link below.

Tems’ COLORS debut: a quiet storm

Nigerian-born singer Tems brought intense emotion to her first COLORS appearance, delivering a live version of “What You Need,” a standout ballad from her surprise EP Love Is A Kingdom, released last November. The performance strips the track down to its aching core, putting Tems’ voice and lyric-driven storytelling front and center.

The song: raw, resolute, and cinematic

“What You Need” follows the EP’s mix of Afrobeats and R&B but lands as one of the project’s most vulnerable moments. In the studio version, Tems sings about reaching the end of a toxic relationship and deciding she can fend for herself: “I’m not what you need / I’m not what you need.” On COLORS, she amplifies that resolve, turning heartbreak into a controlled, fierce declaration.

The live arrangement trades some of the EP’s production polish for a more immediate, intimate sound. That choice intensifies the lyrics and gives listeners space to focus on the emotional weight of each line.

Visuals and styling: navy-blue mood

COLORS’ trademark minimalist set worked perfectly for Tems. She stood tall against a deep navy backdrop, dressed in an all-black outfit that matched the song’s somber mood while allowing her presence to dominate the frame. The color palette and lighting complemented the vocal performance, creating a memorable visual moment that aligns with COLORS’ reputation for cinematic simplicity.

Where to watch

Watch Tems’ full COLORS performance (audio and video) below:

COLORS / YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

Whether you’re already following Tems’ work or discovering her through this appearance, the COLORS clip is a concise introduction to her ability to marry Afrobeats rhythms with R&B soul and cinematic storytelling.

What’s next for Tems

Love Is A Kingdom is framed as a bridge between Tems’ 2024 debut, Born In The Wild, and a rumored sophomore LP expected later this year. Until that new project arrives, performances like this COLORS session keep momentum high and remind listeners why Tems is one of today’s most compelling voices in contemporary R&B and Afrobeats.

For fans and newcomers alike, the COLORS performance of “What You Need” is a striking reminder of Tems’ vocal control, emotional depth, and visual instincts.

Image Referance: https://soulbounce.com/2026/02/tems-what-you-need-colors/