Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, known globally as Tems, has reached another major milestone in her career. She is now the first African female artist to record seven entries on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The achievement follows the debut of her latest song, “What You Need”, at No. 93 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100. With that entry, Tems brings her total number of appearances on the chart to seven.
The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States each week, based on streaming, radio play, and sales. For an African artist, especially a female artist, reaching this number of entries reflects consistent global impact over several years.
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Ties With Burna Boy and Seether
With seven entries, Tems now shares the African record for the most Billboard Hot 100 appearances with fellow Nigerian star, Burna Boy and South African rock band, Seether. Both acts have also recorded seven entries on the chart.
Tems first gained strong momentum on the Billboard charts in 2022. That year, “Wait For U”, a collaboration with American rapper Future and Canadian star Drake, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100. The song marked a historic moment, as she became the first African artist to debut at the top of the chart.
Burna Boy reached the seven-entry mark in 2025 after years of collaborations and solo releases that performed well in the United States. His feature on Justin Bieber’s “Loved By You” in 2021 and his 2022 solo hit “Last Last”, which peaked at No. 44, helped push his tally upward. Seether, known for its rock catalogue, built its record over multiple releases as well.
Industry observers expect Tems’ numbers to grow further. J. Cole’s “Bunce Road Blues”, featuring Tems and Future, is projected to debut on the Billboard Hot 100 next week. If that happens, she will move ahead of her current tie and set a new record among African artists.
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Beyond the Charts: Global Visibility
Tems’ influence has extended beyond music rankings. In recent years, she has become a regular face at major global events where Nigerian artists were once rarely seen.
One of the clearest examples came in 2023 at the Met Gala in New York. The annual event raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and is widely regarded as one of the biggest nights in fashion. Each edition is built around a central theme that shapes the designs worn by guests.
The 2023 theme, Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, honoured the late German designer who worked with fashion houses including Chanel, Fendi, and Chloé. Lagerfeld died on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85.
At the event, Burna Boy, also present, wore a custom blue and black Burberry outfit. Tems appeared in a white sculpted gown by British designer, Robert Wun. Her look drew attention across fashion media platforms and added to conversations she had already sparked earlier in the year.
The gala was co-hosted by Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa, and Vogue editor, Anna Wintour, alongside a guest list that included actors, musicians, athletes, and designers.
Tems’ latest Billboard milestone adds to a growing list of achievements that position her among Africa’s most visible global music figures. With consistent chart entries, major collaborations and appearances on international stages, her career continues to expand across music and culture.
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