Internationally celebrated Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has reached a monumental new peak in her career. Her global smash hit “Wait For U”, a collaboration with American rap titans Future and Drake has officially crossed the 1 billion streams mark on Spotify, earning Tems a special commemorative plaque from the streaming giant.
This achievement not only cements her place as one of Africa’s most successful music exports but also marks a defining moment in Afrobeats’ global ascent.
Released in April 2022 as part of Future’s Grammy-winning album I Never Liked You, “Wait For U” became an instant cultural touchpoint. It sampled Tems’ haunting vocals from her solo track “Higher,” weaving her soulful, Afrobeats-infused tone into a song about longing, love, and vulnerability. “Wait For U” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tems the first Nigerian artist in history to top the chart.
Tems is now part of a rare club of African artists whose music has achieved 1 billion streams on a single Spotify track, a feat few can claim, especially in such a short time.
As Afrobeats and African alternative sounds surge in popularity, Tems represents a new generation of African artists who are redefining what international success looks like on their own terms. With 1 billion streams under her belt and global momentum behind her, Tems isn’t just participating in the music industry, she’s shaping its future.
