As a result of her appearance on ‘Wait For U‘ alongside Drake, the 7th track off Future’s 9th studio album ‘I Never Liked You,’ Tems becomes the first African female artist to earn the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s top 100 in the United States as the record tops the chart.
Just days ago, Future unveiled the full tracklist and guests for his 9th studio album ‘I Never Liked You,‘ with the 16-track project seeing appearances from Kanye (as expected), Drake, Kodak Black, Young Thug, Gunna, EST Gee, and Nigeria’s Tems. When the news broke out, there was intense excitement on social media over Tems’ appearance on the album. The talented singer-songwriter who also featured on Drake‘s album ‘Certified Lover Boy‘ which was released in 2021, has added another big tune to her catalogue as the song goes No. 1 on U.S Apple Music’s top 100 charts.
Prior to the achievement of this remarkable feat by Tems, Afrobeats giant, Wizkid has topped the United States Apple Music charts due to his assistance one Drake’s ‘One Dance‘ alongside Kyla, becoming the first African artist to do so. ‘One Dance‘ is one of Drake’s best-selling singles of all time, co-produced by Nineteen85, 40, Sarz, DJ Maphorisa and Wizkid, the record is highly influenced by Wizkid’s blend of Afrobeats. Hugh McIntyre, a renowned music journalist based in New York City, described ‘One Dance‘ as the “biggest song on the planet in 2016” in an article he wrote for Forbes. At the moment, the record has sold 8 million copies in the United States, 3.6 million in the United Kingdom, 800 th0usand in Canada, 800 thousand in Germany, and 700 thousand in Australia. It topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for 10 non-consecutive weeks and became the joint-second longest consecutive number one in the UK Singles Chart with 15 consecutive weeks at the summit. Featured artist, Wizkid became the first Nigerian artist to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
As the Afrobeats to the world movement keeps taking shape, Tems is one of the artists that has been pitched by Afrobeats fans to complete the mission, alongside giants like Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido. Barely 4 years after she debuted with ‘Mr Rebel,’ she has been bolstered to new levels of recognition beyond the shores of Africa. Thanks to Wizkid, the Tems-assisted ‘Essence‘ is one of the most successful Nigerian songs of all time, the 2X platinum record peaked at No. 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, setting an African record. It is impossible to contradict the influence of ‘Essence‘ on Tems’ recognition in the United States, it served as her passport in reaching new borders, musically.
Up next, we’ll be expecting a new project from Tems, possibly her debut album. It is without a doubt, one of the most anticipated African projects in 2022 and will see her extend her winning streak.
