Sunday Damilare Abioye, popularly known as Temple, is the kind of artist whose journey reminds you that purpose always speaks before fame arrives.
His story isn’t one of overnight success, but of steady growth, deep faith, and a calling that started long before the spotlight ever found him.
From his earliest days singing in a church choir in Nigeria to commanding major stages in London and opening for Afrobeat giants, Temple’s path has been shaped by consistency, spiritual grounding, and an unwavering belief in why he creates music.
His sound carries more than rhythm, it carries meaning, culture, and lived experience.
What makes Temple’s journey especially relatable is his humility. He speaks openly about doubt, slow seasons, and the inner strength required to keep going when progress feels invisible.
Yet through it all, one thing remains constant: his belief that music is a calling, not just a career.
In this interview, Temple opens up about his beginnings, his challenges, his faith, and the vision driving his next chapter, offering a story that will resonate deeply with dreamers, creatives, and anyone walking their own purpose-driven path.
CA: Temple, your rise as an Afrobeat artist has been impressive to watch. Let’s take it back to the very beginning, where did it all start for you, and when did you first realize music was more than just a passion?
Temple: My music journey started at a very young age in church. I joined the church choir as a kid, and that was my first real exposure to singing and music performance. Being in the choir helped me understand harmony, rhythm, and the power of using my voice to connect with people.
I began freestyling for my friends in church, experimenting with lyrics and flows just for fun.
One moment that really stood out was when a friend’s older brother in church noticed my freestyles and told me my flow reminded him of The Notorious B.I.G.
That comment gave me confidence and made me see my talent from a new perspective.
Musically, I draw inspiration from a wide range of artists across different genres and generations.
My influences include legendary figures like King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and Fela Anikulapo Kuti, as well as contemporary icons such as Idris AbdulKareem, 2Face Idibia, D’banj, Wizkid, and many others.
These artists shaped my sound, blending traditional African rhythms with modern Afrobeat, hip-hop, and soulful expression.
CA: Such a powerful beginning rooted in faith and influence. Building a career in Afrobeat takes grit, vision, and real consistency. Looking back now, how has your journey unfolded so far, and who played key roles in shaping your growth?
Temple: I thank God for the journey of my music movement because He has been the one giving me the strength and power to continue. Knowing that music is one of my purposes has given me the motivation to stay consistent.
And another person who has been mentoring me throughout this journey is Krizbeatz, the drummer and my producer, who has always done everything possible to push me forward with my soul.
I have met and worked with a lot of legendary artists who have advised me and told me they believed in my sound and that I have all what it takes.
CA: Having that kind of support and belief can make all the difference. Still, crossing borders in the music industry isn’t easy. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced moving from Nigeria to building your career in London, and how did you navigate them?
Temple: Music is my true passion, and I didn’t start doing it for the money. I think that has helped me a lot during difficult phases of my journey, giving me the strength to keep moving forward and never stop.
Moreover, my professional music journey started in the UK after I moved there. It hasn’t been an easy path, but the Lord has been good to me.
CA: That sense of purpose clearly carried you through tough seasons. Every artist faces moments of doubt early on. When progress felt slow or opportunities seemed limited, what kept you going?
Temple: What kept me going is the strength from the Lord and because I know my purpose and why I’m here.
I’m not doing it for the sake of fame and money, although it comes with the journey, but I think knowing my purpose, talent and the grace God has given me helped me a lot.
CA: Purpose and faith seem to be at the center of everything you do. You grew up in Nigeria and started out in the choir, how has your faith and personal background shaped your music, career decisions, and life as an artist?
Temple: My faith and personal background have shaped me in many ways. They have made me realize that everything is possible if I believe, and they have also helped me understand that everything is vanity as well.
This has taught me not to be desperate, but to remain consistent in my music journey. It has also influenced the type of music I make, from the sounds to the lyrics.
CA: That grounding really shows, especially on big stages. Opening for global stars like Wizkid, Davido, and Olamide at the O2 Indigo is a huge milestone. What did those moments teach you about performance and preparation?
Temple: Opening on stage for global stars like Wizkid, Davido, and Olamide opened my eyes and helped me realize that music is spiritual.
You have to be spiritually strong to tap into it and to be able to stand and perform in front of a crowd. It taught me to believe in myself more strongly, that everything is possible. If these people can do it, then I can too.
CA: Experiences like that naturally place you in a position others look up to. You’re steadily building a presence younger artists admire, how does it feel knowing your journey could inspire them?
Temple: I feel humble and grateful to God, who gave me the talent and the grace to showcase it. It is a great thing when people are able to see the light and grace God has bestowed on my life.
CA: That humility is powerful. You’ve also been very intentional about your sound and growth. What drives your desire to create music people can deeply connect with?
Temple: What drives me most is the passion I have for music and the feeling of the music itself. Moreover, I see beauty in nature and everything around me, and that motivates me most of the time.
I am always recording ideas on my phone because life is a melody to me, and life is good.
CA: With that creative energy, it sounds like there’s a lot ahead. Looking forward, what’s next for you, any projects or milestones fans should anticipate?
Temple: I have a lot of projects coming out this year. I’ll be releasing a body of work, including an EP, and I have a few collaborations on the way with artists like Wande Coal, Gabzy, Reekado Banks, Ceeboi, Bxujii, and others.
My headline show is also something my fans should really look out for.
CA: Interesting! Finally, after everything you’ve experienced, there are still many misconceptions about being a musician today. What’s one misunderstanding about the music industry or Afrobeat artistry you’d like to set straight?
Temple: I have always believed that every sound is a message, and every artist is a messenger. I think artists and the industry as a whole need to realise how powerful music is, and that creativity in music cannot be boxed in.
