Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, aka Tems, has set a new record for the longest-running solo song by an African artist on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
Her hit song ‘What You Need’ charts for another week on the Billboard Hot 100, bringing its total to 30 weeks.
Consequently, it has now surpassed South African pop star Tyla’s ‘Water’ and Afrobeats singer CKay’s ‘Love Nwantiti’ (29 weeks) as the longest-charting solo African song on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
‘What You Need’ is charting at number 33 this week.
The song peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It reached number 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Adult R&B Airplay charts.
ALSO READ: Tems is Soundtrack Curator for Children of Blood and Bone
In July, Tems was named executive music producer and soundtrack curator for Children of Blood and Bone, an epic fantasy movie from Paramount Pictures.
BlackFilmAndTV creator Wilson Morales made the announcement during the movie’s New York City trailer premiere.
Tems has recorded three original songs for the movie and will oversee its music, according to director Gina Prince-Bythewood, who spoke with Morales.
“At the trailer launch event in New York City for Paramount Pictures’ upcoming epic fantasy film, Children of Blood and Bone, director Gina Prince-Bythewood announced that singer Tems will executive-produce and curate the soundtrack for the film. She also contributed three songs. Burna Boy is coming on board as the executive music consultant,” Morales wrote.
Tems’ manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi, confirmed the news on X.
“Executive Music Producer & Curator of the Children of Blood and Bone soundtrack. Our very own @temsbaby. Three brand-new Tems songs. Coming soon,” he posted.
Hours after the first trailer for the movie, which starred Nigerian singer Ayra Starr in her acting debut, was released, the announcement was made.
Ayra has an undisclosed role in this adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s best-selling book. The clip also features Tems’ 2023 smash song Me & U.
Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lashana Lynch, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ayra Starr, and Damson Idris are among the actors in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film.
On January 15, 2027, Children of Blood and Bone will be released in theatres.
