Tems accepts the Diamond award from Yati Khumalo at SXSW London 2025.
Penske Media Company (which additionally owns Billboard) and movie and manufacturing firm MRC turned funding companions of SXSW in 2021. Penske took majority possession of SXSW two years later.
Yati Khumalo:
Created in partnership with the Botswana Funding and Commerce Heart, the Diamond Award represents the shared philosophy between the sustainable and moral improvement of Africa’s mineral assets, which international locations like Botswana have perfected, and our most noteworthy mainstream export — music. Producing greater than $29.6 billion in income in 2024, music is the spine of African tradition, each on the continent and overseas. Alongside the Diamond Award, tonight’s winner may even obtain an all-inclusive, curated tourism expertise at Abercrombie and Kent journey group’s world famend Chiefs Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
I’m so happy to current this award to an artist who has been main the vibe with authenticity, an unmistakable sound and an perspective of perseverance. Please be part of me in celebrating Nigerian singer-songwriter, producer, entrepreneur and the hit maker “Free Thoughts,” “Watch for You” and “Love Me JeJe,” Billboard and Billboard Africa‘s Diamond Award recipient, Tems.
Tems:
What an intro. Thanks a lot. Thanks a lot to Billboard. I’m actually honored to be right here to face in entrance of so many stunning individuals, so many, so many completed individuals. It’s an honor. It’s a fantastic pleasure. And I actually, actually recognize you.