Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has achieved another major milestone in her international music career after her hit song “What You Need” spent 30 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The achievement makes the track the longest-charting solo song by an African act in the chart’s history, according to reports published on October 20 and 21, 2026. It surpasses the previous 29-week benchmark set by South African singer Tyla’s “Water” and Nigerian singer CKay’s “Love Nwantiti”.
The milestone further highlights Tems’ growing influence in the American music market, where sustained chart success depends on continued listener engagement, streaming activity, sales and radio airplay.
According to HypeTribe’s report on the achievement, “What You Need” has continued its run on the chart months after its release, demonstrating the song’s staying power beyond its initial popularity.
Here are five important details about Tems’ latest record and the success of her music.
1. ‘What You Need’ reaches 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100
The central achievement is the song’s 30-week run on the Billboard Hot 100, the influential US singles chart that ranks songs across genres using a combination of streaming, sales and radio airplay data.
“What You Need” has maintained enough activity across these measures to remain on the chart for an extended period.
The milestone is particularly significant because the record focuses on songs by African artists performing solo, rather than tracks featuring multiple credited artists.
The song’s chart performance has also been notable within Tems’ own career. It became her first solo track to enter the Hot 100’s top 40, marking an important step in her development as an internationally recognised recording artist.
READ ALSO: Florida Police Officer Accused of Taking Dead Man’s Home
2. She moves ahead of Tyla’s ‘Water’ and CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’
Before Tems’ latest achievement, Tyla’s “Water” and CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” had each spent 29 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, according to reports on the chart record.
Tyla’s “Water” became a global hit in 2023, attracting widespread attention through its distinctive sound, dance trend and international radio success. The song reached the top 10 of the US chart, peaking at No. 7.
CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” also became an international success after gaining momentum through streaming platforms and social media. Its popularity helped introduce the Nigerian singer’s sound to listeners across several markets.
Tems’ 30-week run places “What You Need” ahead of both songs in terms of chart longevity for solo African acts.
The comparison is about the number of weeks spent on the chart, not the highest position reached. Tyla’s “Water”, for example, achieved a higher peak than “What You Need”.
3. The song has become a major solo career achievement
Tems had already built an international profile through collaborations and solo releases, but “What You Need” has given her another important career milestone.
The singer is known for her distinctive vocals and a sound that blends contemporary R&B with Afrobeats and other influences. Her music has reached audiences well beyond Nigeria, helping establish her as one of the country’s most internationally recognised contemporary artists.
The success of “What You Need” demonstrates that a song can maintain chart visibility over an extended period without relying solely on a dramatic debut or a short-lived viral moment.
Its performance has also strengthened Tems’ standing as a solo performer in the United States, where the Billboard Hot 100 remains one of the most closely followed indicators of mainstream singles success.
4. ‘What You Need’ has enjoyed success beyond the Hot 100
The song’s achievements extend beyond its position on the all-genre singles chart.
Reports on its performance say “What You Need” also reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Adult R&B Airplay charts.
Those achievements demonstrate the track’s appeal within radio formats that serve different audiences, complementing its performance on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Hot 100 measures popularity across multiple genres, while individual airplay charts focus on particular radio formats. Reaching the top of more specialised charts can therefore provide another indication of a song’s reach.
Listeners can check chart information through the Billboard Hot 100 chart listing, which explains the chart’s role in ranking popular songs using streaming, radio and sales data.
5. Tems continues to strengthen Nigeria’s global music presence
Tems’ latest record adds to the international visibility Nigerian musicians have achieved through streaming, collaborations, live performances and global radio exposure.
Artists such as Tems and CKay have helped bring Nigerian music to listeners who may previously have had limited exposure to Afrobeats and related sounds.
Tyla’s international success has similarly contributed to the wider recognition of South African music.
Although each artist’s career follows a different path, their achievements illustrate the growing presence of African musicians in major international markets.
For Tems, spending 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 is more than a brief chart appearance. It represents sustained visibility in a competitive market and another notable achievement for a Nigerian artist working on the global stage.
As “What You Need” continues its chart run, fans will be watching to see whether the song extends its record and how its performance develops in the weeks ahead.
