Tems Sets Billboard Hot 100 Record as ‘What You Need’ Reaches 30 Weeks on Chart

Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has reportedly set a new record for the longest-charting solo song by an African act on the US Billboard Hot 100, with her hit single What You Need spending 30 weeks on the chart.

The song’s latest appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 takes it past the previous 29-week benchmark held by South African singer Tyla’s Water and Nigerian Afrobeats singer CKay’s Love Nwantiti, according to the report.

What You Need is listed at number 33 on the chart for the latest reporting week, extending its run and marking another milestone in Tems’ international music career.

The track previously peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100, demonstrating its sustained presence on the influential US singles chart.

Beyond its Hot 100 performance, the song has also achieved success on Billboard’s radio charts, reaching number one on both the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and the Adult R&B Airplay chart.

The reported achievement adds to Tems’ growing international profile and highlights the continued visibility of African artists in the US music market.

Her record also places What You Need ahead of two widely recognised African hits, Water and Love Nwantiti, in terms of their reported number of weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 as solo songs.