As more Afro-fusion music continues to stream across the US, Nigerian artist Tems makes history as the first from her 200 million strong country to debut on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart. Her first chart topping debut comes this week via a feature on Future’s ‘Wait For U” which also features Drake.
“Wait For U” samples Tem’s “Higher” which was released last July. The track is produced by Oddio and was one of the standouts on her 2020 EP, ‘For Broken Ears.’
On the day of its release “Wait for you” went to No. 1 on Apple Music’ Top 100: Global chart.
The music video for Wait For U chronicles the life of a “toxic king’ with medieval fights, swords and grand feast as Tems sings the haunting hook “I will wait for you”; the new modern formula for a billboard hit.
With the debut, Future joins Drake as the only two rappers to ever debut at No. 1 on both the Hot 100 and Top 200 charts in the same week. Future’s 10th studio album “I Never Like You” tops the 200 charts.
The British-Nigerian tweeted “The leading vibe” to bask in the moment of her debut.
The leading vibe🕊🌺
— TEMS (@temsbaby) May 9, 2022
She and Wiz Kid are the only Nigerian artists in history to reach #1 on the Hot 100 and the two brought their magic to the Broccoli Festival last night in America’s capital, Washington D.C.
Tems & Wizkid Hug on Stage As They Perform Essence Together at the #BroccoliCityFestival 🥦 pic.twitter.com/GyB5u43bzR
— tems 𝖘z𝖓 (@temsszn) May 9, 2022
The African musical revolution is in full effect because as two weeks ago Burna Boy has back to back sold out Madison Square Garden concert and on Friday DefJam announced their signing of Stonebwoy.
They follow in the footsteps of African superstars Miriam Makeba,Hugh Masekela and Fela Kuti — as well as Ladysmith Black Mambazo and others who have made name on the international music scene.
Tems, 26, earned two US top 40 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, with her collaboration with Drake on the song “Fountains” from his album Certified Lover Boy, and the Wizkid single “Essence“; the latter of which reached the top ten following a remix with Justin Bieber, and earned her a Grammy Award nomination.
The artist, real name Temilade Openiyi was signed to RCA records in September and released her second EP If Orange Was a Place, which reached the top ten on the Billboard World Albums chart.
The multiplatinum singer has received multiple award nominations, while winning two NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Awards.
