Wizkid and Tems’s Afrobeats collaboration from the album Made in Lagos, released October 30, 2020, that became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and defined the sound of summer 2021 globally.
The Sleeper Hit
“Essence” initially flew under the radar when Made in Lagos dropped in late 2020. But throughout 2021, the song gained momentum organically—first among Afrobeats fans, then on TikTok, then mainstream radio.
Tems’s angelic vocals over Wizkid’s smooth delivery and P2J’s minimal, groove-heavy production created something irresistibly chill. The song felt like summer personified: breezy, romantic, and effortlessly cool.
Global Breakthrough
The Justin Bieber remix in August 2021 amplified the song’s reach, but “Essence” was already a phenomenon. It became the first Nigerian song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, peaking at #9.
The hashtag exploded as everyone from Gabrielle Union to Normani to regular users shared videos vibing to the song. It became the unofficial soundtrack to summer 2021, soundtracking vacations, pool parties, and sunset drives.
Cultural Significance
“Essence” proved Afrobeats could dominate globally without compromising authenticity. Wizkid and Tems didn’t change their sound for Western audiences—they brought African music to the world on their terms.
The song’s success opened doors for Nigerian and African artists globally, contributing to the Afrobeats explosion of the early 2020s.
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