Nigerian singer Tems has set a new Billboard Hot 100 record with her solo single, “What You Need.”
The track has spent 30 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It is now the longest-charting solo song by an African act in the Hot 100’s history. It surpassed the previous 29-week mark for solo African songs.
Tyla’s “Water” and CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” had shared that record. 
The Tems song currently ranks 33rd on the chart. It has also reached a peak of 29th. As a result, “What You Need” is Tems’ highest-charting solo release. It moves beyond “Free Mind,” which peaked at 46th. The new record adds to a strong run on Billboard. Earlier this year, “What You Need” became Tems’ seventh Hot 100 entry.
That achievement made her the first African female artist to reach seven appearances on the chart. Her total includes both solo releases and featured performances. Meanwhile, “What You Need” has topped the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. Additionally, it has reached No. 1 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Previously, Tems had set a female-led radio record with “Free Mind.” The song spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. At the time, that was the longest run by a lead female artist. SZA’s “Snooze” later surpassed the mark. Moreover, “Free Mind” became the first song by a woman to top Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
Earlier milestones included “Essence,” her collaboration with Wizkid and Justin Bieber. The song peaked at No. 9 on the all-genre Hot 100. Later, Tems appeared on Future’s “Wait For U” with Drake. The song debuted at No. 1, making her the first African artist to open at the top of the Hot 100.
Overall, with “What You Need,” Tems has added another major entry to her Billboard history
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