Tems has officially surpassed 4 billion streams on Spotify across all credits, setting a watershed moment for Afrobeats and African R&B.
The milestone makes her the first Nigerian woman—and only the fourth Nigerian artist overall—to reach the benchmark on the platform, a testament to the global pull of her voice and pen.
The Lagos-born singer, songwriter, and producer’s catalog blends smoky, minimalist R&B with Afrobeats cadence and spiritual heft, a sound that’s traveled from underground playlists to arena speakers. Her breakout on Wizkid’s “Essence” unlocked a worldwide audience, while her feature on Future’s “WAIT FOR U”—which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—earned her a Grammy and cemented her as a cross-genre force. Add in marquee collaborations with the likes of Drake, Beyoncé, Rihanna (as a co-writer on “Lift Me Up”), and more, and Tems’ streaming footprint stretches far beyond her solo releases.
Crucially, the 4B figure covers all credits—lead artist, featured artist, and songwriting—reflecting her dual power as a performer and a composer. Tracks such as “Free Mind,” “Higher,” and records from her acclaimed 2024 debut album Born in the Wild continue to pull heavy numbers, while her features and writing credits keep introducing new listeners to her catalog.
Tems’ ascent also underscores the changing dynamics of global pop: African creators are no longer outliers on the charts but central architects of the sound. Her win is a lift for the entire ecosystem—producers, writers, and new artists—who see a clear pathway from Lagos studios to worldwide platforms.
Beyond the statistics, Tems has become a symbol of creative control and restraint-as-power—proof that intimate songwriting and unhurried production can command stadium-sized attention. With touring demand high and her collaborative phone still ringing, the 4-billion milestone feels less like a peak and more like a mile marker.
