Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems has reached a milestone that puts her in rare company. She is now the first African female artist to record seven entries on the Billboard Hot 100.
This happened after her song What You Need debuted at number 93 on the latest Hot 100 chart. The entry quietly pushed her total appearances to seven, a figure no African woman has reached before on the U.S singles chart.
So why is this significant?
First, the Billboard Hot 100 is not just about popularity. It combines streaming data, radio airplay, and sales in the United States. Getting on the chart once is difficult. Returning repeatedly shows consistency, reach, and staying power.
With seven entries, Tems now sits level with fellow Nigerian star Burna Boy and South African rock band Seether, who also have seven Hot 100 appearances. That places her among the most successful African acts in the chart’s history.
This is not Tems’ first major breakthrough. In 2022, she became the first African artist to debut at number one on the Hot 100 through Wait For U, her collaboration with Future and Drake. That moment marked a turning point for African representation on the global charts.
What makes the current milestone more interesting is what comes next. Tems is expected to break the tie soon, as Bunce Road Blues, a track by J. Cole featuring Tems and Future, is projected to debut on the Hot 100 next week.
If that happens, she will stand alone as the African artist with the most Hot 100 entries.
Beyond the numbers, Tems’ run shows how African artists are no longer appearing on global charts by chance. Her entries span collaborations and solo work, pointing to growing recognition rather than one-off success.
In simple terms, this milestone is less about a single song and more about a sustained global presence. For Tems, it confirms a shift from breakout star to consistent international force.
