Tems has once again proved why she’s a standout artist with the release of her latest music video for Turn Me Up, directed by Loris Russier under North of Now production. This visual masterpiece is an intricate dance between raw street energy and sultry elegance, creating a visually arresting and emotionally resonant narrative.
The video opens with a gritty scene of young men in a ghetto-like hostel, smoking and sharpening machetes, setting the tone for a raw, visceral experience. Tems enters, exuding mystique as she fans herself with an Asian hand fan, her piercing gaze connecting deeply with viewers through the lens. The contrast between her calm demeanour and the tension of the setting hints at a deeper story brewing beneath the surface.
As the video unfolds, Tems effortlessly transitions between commanding the scene in her bold red pants and butterfly-inspired black shirt to being surrounded by shirtless, tattooed boys, adding a palpable intensity to the narrative. She brings a striking juxtaposition of vulnerability and power, seamlessly blending with the room’s energy while maintaining her dominance.
In the latter half, Tems shifts gears, moving from a dimly lit sitting room to the vibrant outdoors. She dons a sleek red dress inside a blue car before stepping into an electrifying party scene. The energy peaks with pulsating beats, energetic choreography from both female models and shirtless boys, and Tems herself at the centre of it all in a stunning black dress.
The video captures a sense of duality—blending urban grit with refined artistry. The choice of settings, costumes, and symbolic imagery gives life to the track, amplifying its message of passion and empowerment. Directed with finesse by Lurris Lussier, this visual accompaniment to Turn Me Up complements the song’s production by London, weaving a tale of self-expression and the power of connection, themes echoed in her debut album, Born in the Wild.
Tems’ storytelling is as compelling as her music, and this song stands as a testament to her evolution as a global artist, merging Afrocentric roots with contemporary global aesthetics.
