Tems Billboard Record: What You Need Beats Tyla & CKay

Tems just rewrote the Billboard record books, and Afrobeats fans should be shouting about it. What You Need now owns the Tems Billboard record for the longest charting solo song by an African act. At AfrobeatsGlobal, we watched this song climb all year, so this win feels personal.

Tems Billboard Record: 30 Weeks on the Hot 100

The track has now spent 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Furthermore, that beats Water by Tyla and Love Nwantiti by CKay. Both songs previously stopped at 29 weeks.

This week, the song sits at number 32. However, it peaked earlier at number 29, which is her highest solo position yet. In addition, it topped the Mainstream R&B and Hip Hop Airplay chart and the Adult R&B Airplay chart.

How the Tems Billboard Record Was Built

Tems released What You Need on November 21, 2025, through RCA Records. It comes from her EP Love Is a Kingdom, and she produced it with GuiltyBeatz.

Then the song debuted at number 93 on the chart dated February 14, 2026. That debut made her the first African female artist with seven Hot 100 entries. Meanwhile, a striking live performance on Colors pushed the song to a much wider audience.

Why the Tems Billboard Record Matters for Afrobeats

Notably, this record proves African solo acts can last on the American chart. Tyla and CKay both held the old mark, so Tems beat two global hits. Clearly, the gap between African music and the world keeps shrinking.

Moreover, this is not her first big chart moment. In 2022, she debuted at number one with Wait For U alongside Future and Drake. Indeed, that made her the first African artist to debut atop the chart.

Do you think Tems can climb even higher? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this post with fellow fans, and follow AfrobeatsGlobal for more chart news.

Check out our previous blog post on Gyakie Releases “Your Body (Crazy)” With Warner Music Africa Deal.

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