Nigerian music star Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, has added another milestone to her rapidly growing global profile after securing her seventh entry on the prestigious U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart a feat that sets a new record for African female artists.
The Grammy-winning singer achieved the landmark following the debut of her song What You Need at number 93 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100. The latest entry brings her total appearances on the chart to seven, making her the first African female artist to reach that mark.
With the achievement, Tems now shares the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries by an African act alongside Nigerian superstar Burna Boy and South African rock band Seether, who also have seven entries each.
Tems’ rise on the international music scene has been marked by several groundbreaking moments. In 2022, she became the first African artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 through her collaboration with Future and Drake on the hit track Wait For U, a milestone widely seen as a defining moment for African representation on the global charts.
Industry watchers note that her chart presence may expand even further in the near future. J. Cole’s track Bunce Road Blues, which features Tems alongside Future, is expected to make its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 next week, a development that could place her ahead of her current counterparts in total entries.
Tems’ continued international chart success underscores the growing global influence of African music and artists, with her achievements increasingly seen as part of a broader wave bringing the continent’s sound to mainstream global audiences.