Tems Beats Tyla and CKay to Make Billboard Hot 100 History With ‘What You Need’

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has achieved a major career milestone as her song “What You Need” reaches 30 weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100. The achievement makes it the longest charting solo song by an African artist in the chart’s history, surpassing the previous record of 29 weeks shared by Tyla’s “Water” and CKay’s “love nwantiti (ah ah ah).”

The milestone highlights the song’s lasting popularity in the United States, where it has continued to attract listeners months after its release. Unlike songs that experience a short period of success before leaving the charts, “What You Need” has maintained its presence through a combination of radio airplay and continued audience interest.

Released in November 2025 as part of Tems’ Love Is a Kingdom EP, “What You Need” was produced by Tems alongside Ghanaian producer GuiltyBeatz. The song later gained further momentum as a standalone single and made its Billboard Hot 100 debut at No. 93 in February 2026. It eventually reached a peak position of No. 29, becoming Tems’ first solo song to enter the chart’s top 40.

Radio airplay has played an important role in the track’s continued success. “What You Need” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and Adult R&B Airplay chart. It also climbed to the top of the Rhythmic Airplay chart in October 2026, giving Tems her first No. 1 on that chart as a lead artist.

Before Tems reached the 30-week mark, Tyla’s “Water” and CKay’s “love nwantiti (ah ah ah)” had each spent 29 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Tyla’s “Water” remains notable for its higher peak, reaching No. 7, while Tems’ latest achievement is based on chart longevity. The distinction places Tems in a new position among African solo artists on one of the United States’ most closely followed music charts.

The accomplishment adds another highlight to Tems’ international career, following her success as a singer, songwriter and collaborator across Afrobeats and R&B. With “What You Need” continuing to make an impact on American radio and the charts, the Nigerian star has demonstrated the staying power of her music in a competitive market.

As African music continues to reach audiences around the world, Tems’ 30-week run offers another example of an African artist building sustained success on a major US chart.