Tems makes Billboard history with “What You Need”

Thirty weeks and counting. Tems' “What You Need” has now logged 30 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the longest-charting solo song by an African artist in the chart's history.

The recordPast Tyla and CKay

The previous record was shared by two songs that both spent 29 weeks on the chart: Tyla's “Water” and CKay's “Love Nwantiti”. Tems now stands alone.

It has been a slow, steady climb. The song entered the Hot 100 at No. 93 in February 2026, peaked at No. 29, and was still sitting at No. 33 when it reached week 30.

The bigger pictureA record on her own terms

Tems has spent years setting records as a featured voice, from “Essence” with Wizkid to her Grammy-winning feature on Future's “Wait for U”. This one is hers alone, and it comes in the same month she picked up two Soul Train Award nominations, including Song of the Year for this very song.