Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has reached a new career milestone after her Grammy-winning collaboration with Future and Drake, Wait For U, surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, earning her the platform’s prestigious Billion plaque. The achievement places her among an elite group of Afrobeats artists, including Wizkid, Rema, and South Africa’s Tyla, who have also crossed the billion-stream threshold on Spotify.
The 2022 hit, which samples Tems’ soulful vocals from her song Higher, became a global sensation, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—a historic first for an African artist. Its success propelled Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, into the international spotlight, solidifying her role in bridging Afrobeats with mainstream Western hip-hop and R&B. The track later secured the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, marking her first win at the ceremony.
Spotify’s Billion Club plaque celebrates songs that cross a billion streams, reflecting both commercial success and cultural impact. Wait For U—a melancholic fusion of Afrobeats rhythms and trap influences—resonated widely, driven by Tems’ haunting refrain and the star power of collaborators Drake and Future. The song’s popularity underscores the growing influence of African music globally, with Afrobeats continuing to dominate charts and playlists worldwide.
Tems’ rise mirrors the broader ascent of Nigerian and African artists on international stages. Wizkid, a pioneer of the genre, earned his Spotify Billion plaque for One Dance, a 2016 collaboration with Drake, while Rema’s Calm Down remix with Selena Gomez last year joined the same club. Tyla, whose viral hit Water recently amplified South Africa’s amapiano genre, further highlights the continent’s expanding musical footprint.
Beyond streaming milestones, Tems has carved a unique niche as a featured artist and solo act. Her vocals have graced tracks by Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber, while her 2021 EP If Orange Was a Place debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. Critics have praised her ability to blend introspective lyricism with genre-defying production, a formula that has attracted collaborations across pop, rap, and electronic music.
The recognition from Spotify adds to a rapidly growing list of accolades for the 28-year-old artist, who first gained attention with her 2020 breakout single Damages. Industry analysts note her trajectory reflects a shift in global music consumption, with listeners increasingly embracing cross-continental collaborations and diverse sonic traditions. As Afrobeats continues to evolve, artists like Tems are redefining its boundaries while amplifying Africa’s cultural influence on the world stage.
