Tems Makes History As First African Female With Seven Billboard Hot 100 Entries

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Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, has reached another historic milestone, becoming the first African female artist to record seven entries on the prestigious U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The latest achievement follows the debut of her song What You Need, which entered this week’s Billboard Hot 100 at number 93. The surprise entry not only extended her impressive chart run but also elevated her total appearances on the iconic ranking to seven, placing her in elite company among African artists.

With this feat, Tems now ties fellow Nigerian superstar Burna Boy and South African rock band Seether as the African acts with the highest number of Billboard Hot 100 entries, all currently standing at seven each. However, industry watchers believe the tie may be short-lived, as Tems is poised to surpass the mark in the coming days.

The singer is featured on Bunce Road Blues, a highly anticipated collaboration by American rap heavyweight J. Cole that also includes Future. The track is widely expected to debut on next week’s Billboard Hot 100, which would see Tems become the African artist with the most entries on the chart, setting a new continental record.

Tems’ rise to global prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. From her breakout moment in 2020 with Try Me to becoming one of Africa’s most sought-after collaborators, the Lagos-born singer has steadily built a reputation for her distinct voice, soulful delivery, and genre-blending sound.

Her career reached a major turning point in 2022 when she made history as the first African artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She achieved the landmark with Wait For U, a collaborative single alongside Future and Drake. The song enjoyed massive global success, dominating streaming platforms and topping charts in several countries, firmly establishing Tems as a global force.

Beyond her chart success, Tems has also earned critical acclaim and numerous accolades. She became Nigeria’s first female Grammy winner after securing the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her role in Wait For U. Since then, she has continued to push boundaries, working with international stars such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Drake, and Wizkid, while still maintaining a strong connection to her African roots.

Her growing influence has helped shine a brighter spotlight on African music, particularly Afrobeats and alternative R&B, in mainstream global markets. Industry experts note that Tems’ consistent presence on international charts is contributing to a broader acceptance and appreciation of African artistry worldwide.

The debut of What You Need on the Billboard Hot 100 further underscores her expanding reach. Despite being released with relatively minimal promotional push, the song’s entry into the chart highlights Tems’ strong fanbase and the organic demand for her music.

As anticipation builds around the potential debut of Bunce Road Blues, many fans and observers believe Tems is on the brink of yet another historic achievement. Breaking the current tie with Burna Boy and Seether would not only cement her position as Africa’s leading female chart performer but also reinforce her status as one of the continent’s most successful global exports.

With her steady momentum, groundbreaking milestones, and growing international appeal, Tems continues to redefine what is possible for African female artists on the world stage, inspiring a new generation of musicians to dream beyond borders.

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