Tems has set a new record for the longest-charting solo song by an African act on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Daily Post reports. Her song “What You Need” held…
Anne Erickson
Updated Oct 23, 2026 5:19 PM EDT
Tems has set a new record for the longest-charting solo song by an African act on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Daily Post reports. Her song “What You Need” held its spot on the chart for another week. That brings its total to 30 weeks.
This week, the song sits at No. 33. It once climbed as high as No. 29.
“What You Need” passed two songs that each lasted 29 weeks to take over the title of the longest-charting solo song. One is “Water” by Tyla, a South African star. The other is “Love Nwantiti” by CKay, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer. Until this week, the two of them shared the record.
The song also took the top spot on two other Billboard lists, including the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and the Adult R&B Airplay chart
Tems, whose full name is Temilade Openiyi, is a Nigerian singer and a GRAMMY winner. In July interview with Vogue, she recalled leaving her job in 2018 and releasing her debut single, “Mr Rebel.” It was a risk, and at the time, she said that people didn’t understand the decision and questioned her. “People were side-eyeing me a lot,” she told the outlet in the interview. “I was just like, ‘Well I really love this and I know I can do it, and I don’t know why I love it so much, but this is where I’m meant to be.’”
Now, “What You Need” holding that chart spot is one more win for her worldwide fame.
Tems
Anne EricksonWriter
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.
