Tems Breaks Streaming Record, Tops African Artists with 40 Million Monthly Listeners

Nigerian music star Tems has reached a new career milestone, emerging as the most listened-to African artist on Spotify for the month, with over 40.1 million monthly listeners.

The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer—known for her distinctive voice and genre-blending sound—now sits at the top of Africa’s streaming hierarchy, surpassing her continental peers in global listenership. This achievement underscores her growing dominance on the international stage and reflects the increasing global appetite for African music.

Tems’ rise in monthly listeners is largely driven by a string of high-profile collaborations and successful solo releases that continue to resonate across multiple markets. Her contributions to global hits alongside major international acts, as well as her own chart-performing singles, have significantly boosted her streaming numbers in recent months.

Having first gained widespread attention with her breakout feature on Wizkid’s global hit “Essence,” Tems has since built a formidable catalog that appeals to audiences far beyond Africa. Her collaborations with artists such as Drake and Future, as well as her contribution to the soundtrack of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, have helped cement her reputation as one of the most influential African artists of her generation.

In addition to her streaming success, Tems has continued to receive critical acclaim and industry recognition. She won a Grammy Award for her role in Future’s hit song “Wait for U” and has earned multiple nominations across prestigious global award platforms, further validating her artistic impact.

Her achievement on Spotify not only highlights her personal success but also signals a broader shift in the global music landscape, where African artists are increasingly commanding mainstream attention. With Afrobeats and related genres continuing to gain traction worldwide, Tems stands at the forefront of this cultural movement.

As her monthly listener count continues to climb, industry watchers expect Tems to maintain her upward trajectory, with new music releases and international performances likely to push her influence even further in the months ahead.