In a groundbreaking achievement, Nigerian singers Wizkid and Tems have become the first African artists to receive the iHeartRadio Titanium Award for their hit song ‘Essence’.
The iHeartRadio award recognizes musicians whose songs have received 1 billion spins across iHeartRadio stations in America.
Their song, ‘Essence’ garnered 1 billion spins, thus earning the duo this prestigious award. Muyiwa Awoniyi, Tems’ manager, shared a video clip of the award via his Instastory recently.
Originally featured in Wizkid’s celebrated fourth studio album, ‘Made In Lagos’, ‘Essence’ saw newfound popularity in the US on mainstream radio stations following the release of a remix version featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber in 2021.
The enormous success of ‘Essence’ can also be attributed to its infectious beat, catchy lyrics, and captivating vocals from both Wizkid and Tems. The track has become an instant favourite among fans and led to a surge in the popularity of African music across the globe.
The iHeartRadio Titanium Award is yet another feather in the cap for Wizkid and Tems as they continue to break new ground and pave the way for African music on the international stage.
