By the time the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of February 14, 2026, was published, Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, known globally as Tems, had quietly rewritten a chapter of music history.
With her latest single, “What You Need,” debuting on the chart, the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer became the first African female artist to record seven entries on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
In the same chart week, she earned not one but two placements, at No. 91 and No. 93, underlining her growing dominance in the world’s most competitive music market.
For an artiste who once taught herself music production through YouTube tutorials in her Lagos bedroom, the milestone represents more than a statistic. It is a cultural shift.
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Across social media, fans celebrated the achievement with pride. What followed was a wave of congratulatory messages and renewed conversations about Afrobeats’ expanding global footprint.
But beyond the trending hashtags lies a deeper story, one of persistence, evolution and the steady rise of African music on the global stage.
Seventh Entry, Double Chart Moment
Tems’ seventh entry came with “What You Need,” a R&B-leaning Afrobeats record. The song debuted at No. 93, marking another solo appearance for the singer.
In a rare double-chart moment, she also secured a second entry that week at No. 91, an indication of sustained streaming power and audience engagement rather than a fleeting viral spike.
Industry observers note that simultaneous entries on the Hot 100 signal more than popularity; they demonstrate consistency in streams, radio airplay and sales across the United States — the three metrics that determine chart placement.
With seven total entries, Tems now ties Burna Boy and South African rock band Seether for the most Billboard Hot 100 appearances by any African act. Yet her record stands uniquely historic: she is the first African woman to reach that number.
Featured Voice To Chart Mainstay
Tems’ journey on the Hot 100 tells the story of an artiste who moved from guest appearances to global headliner.
Her Billboard breakthrough began in 2021 with Wizkid’s “Essence”, later remixed with Justin Bieber.
The track became a cultural phenomenon, peaking at No. 9 and introducing her voice to mainstream American audiences. It remains one of the defining Afrobeats records of the decade.
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That same year, she featured on Drake’s “Fountains”, which peaked at No. 26, and pushed her cross-Atlantic appeal.
In 2022, she also made history with “Wait For U”, alongside Future and Drake.
The song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, a landmark moment that made her the first African artiste to debut atop the chart.
It later earned a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Her solo single “Free Mind” climbed to No. 46 after gaining massive traction on TikTok, proving she could command the charts independently.
She later appeared on Beyoncé’s “Move” from the Renaissance album, adding another high-profile entry to her catalogue.
Now, with “What You Need” and her additional 2026 chart appearance, Tems’ Billboard résumé reflects both collaboration and self-sustained star power.
Tems Music Journey
Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Temilade Openiyi spent part of her childhood in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria.
Raised primarily by her mother after her parents separated, she found refuge in music early on, singing in school choirs and learning to play the piano.
After studying economics in South Africa, she returned to Lagos and worked in digital marketing, a stable career path that contrasted sharply with her artistic ambitions.
In January 2018, she made a decision that would alter her life: she resigned from her job to pursue music full-time.
Her early singles “Mr Rebel” and “Try Me” introduced a voice that was at once fragile and commanding. By 2020, her EP For Broken Ears positioned her as one of Nigeria’s most promising alternative artistes.
International recognition followed swiftly after “Essence.” A deal with RCA Records expanded her reach, and collaborations with global superstars became frequent.
Her debut album, Born in the Wild, released in 2024, explored themes of identity, survival and spiritual growth — a reflection of her own unconventional path.
Tems’ Billboard milestone complements an already impressive trophy cabinet.
She has won two Grammy Awards, multiple BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards and a Billboard Women in Music honour. She co-wrote Rihanna’s Oscar-nominated “Lift Me Up” for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, further showcasing her songwriting depth.
In 2025, she became the first Nigerian artiste to win two Grammy Awards. Her work has surpassed one billion Spotify streams, placing her among Africa’s most commercially successful exports.
Her influence also extends beyond music. From Met Gala appearances to fashion campaigns, Tems has emerged as a cultural figure whose impact bridges music, style and identity.
Nigeria’s Expanding Footprint
Tems joins a growing list of Nigerian artistes who have made inroads into the Billboard chart.
Burna Boy also boasts seven entries, including the global hit “Last Last.” Wizkid has recorded multiple appearances, while artists such as Rema, Davido, Fireboy DML, CKay and Lojay have each secured entries in recent years.
The surge reflects Afrobeats’ transformation from a regional genre into a global movement.
Streaming data supports this shift. Over the past few years, Afrobeats consumption has grown rapidly across North America, Europe and Latin America, fuelled by diaspora communities, social media virality and high-profile collaborations.
The Recording Academy’s introduction of the Best African Music Performance category in 2024 further institutionalised the genre’s global legitimacy.
Billboard Hot 100
Established in 1958, the Billboard Hot 100 remains the definitive ranking of song popularity in the United States. It blends streaming data, radio airplay and sales across all genres.
For decades, it has served as the industry’s most recognised benchmark of mainstream success.
For African artistes, entry onto the chart signifies more than international recognition; it signals penetration into the heart of the global music economy.
Tems’ seventh Billboard entry represents not just personal triumph, but it’s a marker of how far African women in music have travelled and how much further they can go.
Her success arrives at a time when Afrobeats artistes are selling out arenas in London, Paris and New York, while commanding festival stages once reserved exclusively for Western acts.
For young African women watching from Lagos, Accra or Johannesburg, Tems’ achievement signals expanded possibilities. The charts are no longer distant territory.
As the February 2026 rankings circulate and the celebrations continue, one reality is clear: Tems is no longer just participating in global music history; she is shaping it.
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