Tems has made history as the first African female artist to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify, thanks to Future’s WAIT FOR U featuring Drake, Spotify confirmed.
The track, which samples Tems’ Higher from her 2020 EP For Broken Ears, appeared on Future’s 2022 album I NEVER LIKED YOU. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 2023 Grammys, marking Tems’ first Grammy win. She secured her second this year with Love Me JeJe, which won Best African Music Performance.
Tems’ success extends beyond music—she recently joined San Diego Football Club’s ownership group through her company, The Leading Vibe. She is also set to headline Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW London on June 5.
WAIT FOR U is Drake’s 21st song to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify and Future’s fourth. This milestone follows Rema’s Calm Down remix with Selena Gomez, which became the first African-led track to reach 1 billion streams in September 2023.
