Tems becomes first African female artiste with seven Billboard Hot 100 entries

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has made history as the first African female artiste to record seven entries on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart.

She reached the milestone following the debut of her song What You Need at No. 93 on this week’s Hot 100, bringing her total appearances on the chart to seven.

With the achievement, Tems now shares the African record for the most Billboard Hot 100 entries with fellow Nigerian artiste Burna Boy and South African rock band Seether, who have also recorded seven entries each.

Tems first gained major global chart recognition in 2022 when Wait For U by Future, featuring Drake and Tems, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, reached the seven-entry mark in 2025 through a mix of solo releases and international collaborations. These include Loved By You with Justin Bieber in 2021 and his 2022 solo hit Last Last, which peaked at No. 44.

Beyond chart success, both Tems and Burna Boy have continued to expand their global influence as cultural ambassadors for Nigeria, making appearances at major international fashion and entertainment events.

Their growing global visibility was evident at the 2023 Met Gala in New York, where Tems and Burna Boy became among the first Nigerian music stars to grace the red carpet of the high-profile annual fundraiser.

The Met Gala, officially known as the Costume Institute Gala, is held each year to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and is regarded as one of the most exclusive events in global fashion.

The 2023 edition was themed Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, in honour of the late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, who worked with major fashion houses including Chanel, Fendi and Chloé. Lagerfeld died on February 19, 2019, at the age of 85.

At the event, Burna Boy appeared in a custom blue-and-black Burberry outfit, while Tems turned heads in a Robert Wun dress, styled by Dunsin Wright, with fashion research by Kim Russell.

The gala was co-hosted by Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, Dua Lipa and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, and featured a carefully curated guest list of leading figures from music, film, sports and fashion.

The Met Gala remains one of the most exclusive nights in entertainment, with invitations tightly controlled and proceeds supporting the Costume Institute through donations and fundraising.