Nigerian superstars Tems and Burna Boy have now scored 8 billboard entries each, becoming the African artists with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100. Their latest chart appearances have pushed them to the top of an elite list, reinforcing not only their individual dominance but also the unstoppable rise of African music on the global stage.
For years, breaking into the Billboard Hot 100 was considered one of the toughest feats for African musicians. The chart, which ranks the most popular songs in the United States based on streaming, sales, and radio airplay, has long been a benchmark of mainstream success. While African artists have made sporadic appearances in the past, sustained chart presence remained rare, but that narrative has now changed dramatically.
Their latest entries stem through their features on J.Cole’s album, ‘The Fall-Off. ’Bounce Road Blues’ featuring Tems and Future which debuted at 34, while ‘Only You’ with Burna Boy debuted at 78, further illustrating how African artists are no longer confined to regional markets. Instead, they are increasingly central to global music conversations, appearing alongside established Western acts and contributing to projects that dominate streaming platforms worldwide.
As both artists continue to release new material and expand their international collaborations, their record may yet grow. But even at this stage, their shared achievement marks a defining moment in music history, one that underscores Africa’s evolving influence and signals that its global takeover is far from over.
