Born in Nigeria and raised in the US, Temi Adenjiji’s journey is anything but conventional. By age 13, she was already navigating life in a boarding school in Indiana after which her academic path took her through Princeton University. Then, she tackled a dual law degree at Columbia Law School and University College London, before launching a high-powered legal career in New York. It all reads like a case study in global excellence, and Temi does it right
The thread that ties together a career spanning continents, industries and disciplines has always led back to purpose. “I am African, first and foremost and above everything,” Temi states proudly. And it’s more than a statement, it’s a manifesto. For Temi, heritage isn’t something frozen in the past; it’s dynamic, multifaceted and alive in everything from music and fashion to language, rhythm and community. “I think of African heritage as a mixture of history, resilience and creativity,” she reflects. “It lives in how we move, how we speak, the music we make and the communities we build.”
Growing up between cultures gave her a unique vantage point: African culture is not as a single story, but an ever-evolving constellation of identity and influence. That world view would eventually shape how she leads, builds and shows up in the world. Most recently, in 2021, she was appointed in the combined role of managing director of Warner Music South Africa and senior vice president of strategy for sub-Saharan Africa. When she took the helm, she not only became the youngest MD at Warner globally, but also the first and only Black woman to lead a major label on the continent. That title came with both privilege and pressure. “There’s a constant awareness that your performance isn’t just about you; it carries weight for others who will come after you,” she shares. “I made the choice early on to lead on my own terms. I had to stop performing leadership and start embodying it. I don’t conform to corporate archetypes: I wear what I like, I express myself fully and I lead with empathy and cultural fluency. That’s the style that works for me and it’s what allows my teams and artists to show up fully too.”
Under her leadership, Warner Music South Africa transitioned into Warner Music Africa, expanding its reach across West, East and Francophone Africa. The label saw enormous success with global crossover hits like Master KG’s Jerusalema, CKay’s Love Nwantiti, and TitoM & Yuppe’s Tshwala Bam. But for Temi, it was never just about the music charts, it was about ownership, narrative, and legacy. “What excites me is that we’re not just exporting sound. We’re exporting perspective. And the world is finally ready to receive it.” That sense of responsibility extends far beyond the boardroom. As a cultural architect, Temi is deeply invested in building sustainable ecosystems that nurture talent long after the moment passes. Her work with the Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund resulted in direct support for organisations like the African Leadership Academy, Sarz Academy and Audio Girl Africa, spanning countries from Ghana and Kenya to Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. “It’s never just about the spotlight,” she says. “It’s about the scaffolding. The infrastructure. The systems that support artists and creatives behind the scenes.”
That commitment to structural transformation is evident in her role as a trustee of The Africa Centre in New York and as a board member of Rele Arts Foundation in Nigeria — two institutions doing the critical work of protecting African cultural output and preserving legacy. “We need to stop treating culture as something ornamental and start treating it as something foundational. These institutions are key to that shift.”
One of the more urgent issues Temi continues to advocate for is intellectual property protection across Africa’s creative industries. “Without functioning licensing systems or enforcement, artists are left vulnerable,” she says. “They end up relying on international audiences for survival, which only reinforces neo-colonial dynamics.” She cites the stark contrast between Nigeria and South Africa: despite Nigeria’s massive population of over 220 million, recorded music revenue in 2023 stood at just under $10 million (about R176 million). South Africa, with a population of 60 million, generated about R1.2 billion in the same year. The difference? “South Africa has a stronger copyright regime. That’s it. We want African artists to thrive at home and not just abroad, we need to fix the IP infrastructure. It’s an industrial issue and a cultural one.”
For Temi, leadership is not just about taking up space, it’s about transforming it. Her team is a testament to that ethos. “I’m surrounded by powerful women who move mountains,” she says with pride. “From Laverne Thomas, our operations lead who is the backbone of the business, to Febe Adedamola, the first female Dolby Atmos-certified engineer in Africa, and Isioma Nwaruocha, a brilliant music executive in Nigeria. This is what leadership looks like to me: collective, intentional and deeply empowering.” She quotes Toni Morrison: “If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” And she lives by it. Despite her schedule, Temi prioritises her wellness like she does everything else: with discipline and clarity. “Exercise comes before work. It’s non-negotiable. It builds my resilience, grounds me and reminds me I can do hard things.” Movement, whether it’s a tennis lesson or a mobility training session, has become her sanctuary. “It keeps me present. It reminds me that perseverance is a muscle too.”
Beyond the boardroom and gym, her personal style is bold, textured and expressive. “My wardrobe reflects my multitudes,” she laughs. “I’m edgy, sporty and chic — depending on the day.” She’s inspired by up-and-coming fashion greats like Emmy Kasbit and Thebe Magugu, whose work balances heritage and modernity. “They’re not just making clothes, they’re telling stories. And that’s what I try to do too.” When Temi’s not working across time zones or attending cultural summits, you’ll likely find her recharging in Mauritius, a destination that resonates with her hybrid spirit. “There’s this beautiful fusion of cultures there — African, Creole, Indian, French — it feels expansive and free.” To keep her energy up, she regularly listens to music that matches her mood. “I wear what I like, I express myself fully and I lead with empathy and cultural fluency. That’s the style that works for me and it’s what allows my teams and artists to show up fully too” “Che Che” by Young Jonn when she needs a confidence boost, “Bengicela” by MaWhoo for spiritual grounding, or “GMFU Pt. 2” by GloRilla when she’s gearing up for battle.
As we wrap up, I ask her what legacy she hopes to leave behind. “I want to be remembered for being part of the shift. For helping make global success the standard, not the exception, for African creatives. I want people to look back and say, "Something shifted because she was here’.” The world may still try to simplify Black womanhood and flatten African identity, but Temi moves with complexity, vision and unapologetic fire. She’s making history, and in many ways, her journey is only just beginning.
5 Fun Heritage-Inspired Facts About Temi
1. Comfort Food, Always: Her go-to Nigerian comfort food? Jollof rice with plantain and beef. “Simple, straight to the point, and it hits every time,” she says. It's a nostalgic, grounding dish that continues to show up in her life, no matter where she is in the world.
2. A Name with Royal Weight: Her full name, Temilade, means “mine is the crown.” It’s a reflection of legacy, responsibility, and the quiet power she carries with her into every room.
3. A Soundtrack to Her Roots: Growing up, the music playing through her home was a mix of King Sunny Adé, Fela Kuti, and Whitney Houston. That blend of African legends and global icons shaped her deep reverence for sound and the belief that African music was always meant to travel.
4. Tradition Meets Modern Style: Temi has a deep love for aso oke, the richly textured Nigerian fabric traditionally worn for special occasions. She often reimagines it through contemporary silhouettes, merging heritage with innovation, just like her leadership style.
5. A Proverb to Live By: A saying from her upbringing that still shapes how she moves through the world: “No matter how far a stream flows, it never forgets its source.” It’s a daily reminder to stay grounded in her roots, no matter how global her journey becomes.
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