In a post shared by @chartdata, it was revealed that Tems has officially surpassed all other African artists to claim the spot for the highest number of monthly listeners on Spotify. This milestone follows a massive 12-hour surge in streaming after her latest collaboration and her presence at the 2026 BAFTAs, where Nigerian talent was heavily spotlighted.
Tems’ rise to the top of the “Billboard Kings” list, alongside Burna Boy, marks a shift in the Afrobeats hierarchy. While the “Big Three” (Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy) have long dominated the conversation, Tems’ global appeal—boosted by her unique “Alternative RnB” fusion—has allowed her to capture a wider international demographic.
The achievement coincides with news that fellow Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku bagged a “Best Supporting Actress” award at the BAFTAs, highlighting a “Golden Weekend” for Nigerian creatives in the UK and US. Tems continues to lead the charge for African women in a historically male-dominated industry.
Industry experts point to her consistent presence on the Billboard Hot 100 as the primary driver for these numbers. With eight entries on the chart, she and Burna Boy are currently the most successful African artists in Billboard history.
* PM News Nigeria: “Tems becomes African artist with highest monthly listeners. Abimbola Aderinola. 5 hours ago.”
* Legit.ng: “Tems, Burna Boy dethrone South African legends to become Africa’s all-time billboard kings.”
Echotitbits take:
Tems is no longer just an “Afrobeats star”; she is a global pop icon. Her ability to maintain these numbers without the traditional “club banger” indicates a very loyal, high-intent fan base. This data point is crucial for her upcoming world tour, as it proves her “streaming power” translates directly into market dominance.
Source: PM News Nigeria — https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2026/02/23/tems-becomes-african-artist-with-highest-monthly-listeners/ February 23, 2026 —
Photo Credit: PM News Nigeria
