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Wizkid and Tems Make History: How Nigerian Stars Redefined Global Streaming on Apple Music

By on July 8, 2025

The global music industry is an ever-evolving tapestry of sound, culture, and shared human stories. Over the past decade, few narratives have been as compelling—or as transformative—as the meteoric rise of African music on the world stage. At the heart of this story are two Nigerian artists: Wizkid and Tems, who have recently shattered expectations and carved out unprecedented achievements for Africa. Their remarkable feat came into sharp focus when Apple Music revealed its definitive list of the most streamed songs of all time, cementing their legacies in a way that transcends borders and genres.

This is more than a story about two talented individuals. It is a sweeping tale about cultural shifts, the globalization of sound, the power of collaboration, and how the digital age has democratised music consumption. It’s also a celebration of Africa’s creative power—and how artists from Lagos are now inspiring dancers in Los Angeles, clubgoers in London, and festival crowds in Tokyo.

In this in-depth piece, we’ll journey through the backgrounds of Wizkid and Tems, break down the significance of the Apple Music record, explore the songs that brought them to global prominence, and unpack what this means for the future of African music.

The Changing Face of Global Music Consumption

To appreciate the significance of this milestone, one needs to understand how streaming has fundamentally reshaped the music landscape. Gone are the days when music success was measured solely by physical album sales or even traditional radio play. With platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube now dominating how we discover and consume songs, streams have become the new currency of popularity.

Apple Music, launched in 2015, quickly became one of the world’s leading streaming platforms. Today, it serves tens of millions of users across more than 160 countries. Their announcement of the “Most Streamed Songs of All Time” is not just another chart; it’s a barometer of what the global population has been listening to most passionately over the last decade.

It is against this backdrop that two Nigerian artists have managed to not merely participate but to excel and outperform thousands of international peers, placing African creativity front and center on the global music map.

Wizkid: The Pioneer Who Opened Doors

From Surulere to the World

Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun in Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid’s journey to international superstardom is the stuff of modern music legend. Long before he was sharing the stage with Drake or headlining festivals in the UK, Wizkid was just another Lagos kid, heavily influenced by his mother’s Pentecostal roots and the secular sounds of Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Bob Marley that blared through the bustling streets.

At just 11, he formed a group called the Glorious Five, releasing a modest 7-track album. But his breakout came with the release of “Holla at Your Boy” in 2010 under Banky W’s EME Records. With his boyish charm and infectious melodies, Wizkid quickly became Nigeria’s golden child, setting new standards for what was possible in local pop.

The Drake Moment: “One Dance”

Yet it was in 2016 that Wizkid achieved the kind of global breakthrough most artists can only dream of. Canadian superstar Drake, then arguably at the absolute peak of his dominance, tapped Wizkid (alongside British singer Kyla) for his dancehall-infused single “One Dance.”

The song became a monster hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 consecutive weeks, dominated charts in the UK, Canada, Australia, and dozens of other countries, and ultimately became one of the most streamed songs of all time. On Apple Music’s new all-time list, it proudly sits at number 6—making Wizkid the highest ranked African artist ever on this prestigious chart.

The impact of “One Dance” cannot be overstated. It did more than catapult Wizkid to international superstardom. It sparked a wave of curiosity about afrobeats. Suddenly, playlists in New York and Paris were filled with West African rhythms. Global producers sought to incorporate afrobeats percussion, melodies, and language into their pop records. And at the center of this tidal shift was Wizkid.

Tems: A New Era of Feminine Power in African Music

The Rise of Temilade Openiyi

Unlike Wizkid, who enjoyed early fame as a teenager, **Temilade Openiyi—known to the world simply as Tems—**took a slightly longer, more introspective route. Born in Lagos to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father, Tems grew up absorbing everything from Asa to Lauryn Hill. Her voice, raw yet controlled, carried a depth that seemed to pull from both ancient Yoruba folk songs and modern soul.

Tems was determined to write, produce, and perform her own songs. She learned to use production software, often crafting beats alone in her room. Her breakout single, “Try Me”, showcased not just vocal brilliance but a fierce independence—a refusal to conform to industry stereotypes of how female artists should sound or look.

The Global Explosion with “Essence” and “Wait For U”

Her career took an electrifying turn when she collaborated with Wizkid on “Essence,” the sultry anthem from his album Made in Lagos. The song became a global obsession, the first Nigerian song to break into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, and earned Tems her first taste of Grammy recognition.

But it was her feature on “Wait For U” by Future, alongside Drake, that solidified her place in streaming history. Released in 2022, the song became an instant classic, blending Future’s auto-tuned angst with Drake’s smooth cadence and Tems’ haunting hook lifted from her own song “Higher.”

On Apple Music’s all-time list, “Wait For U” sits at number 42, making Tems not only the highest ranked female African artist ever on this chart but also the only female African artist to appear. It’s a powerful statement of how African women, long overlooked by the global industry, are now claiming space—and winning.

Why This Moment Matters

More Than Just Streams

For skeptics, it might be tempting to reduce this all to numbers. But the implications run far deeper. Wizkid and Tems’ achievements represent a validation of African creativity on a historically unprecedented scale. For decades, African musicians were forced to rely on Western co-signs or struggled to have their works marketed globally. Distribution hurdles, piracy, and limited touring infrastructure all played a role.

Streaming changed the game. Suddenly, a teenager in Nairobi could discover the same songs as a college student in Toronto. Algorithms began to suggest Burna Boy right alongside Billie Eilish. The barriers fell. And artists like Wizkid and Tems, equipped with undeniable talent and global strategies, rose to the occasion.

Opening Doors for the Next Generation

Every stream of “One Dance” and “Wait For U” doesn’t just benefit Wizkid and Tems—it benefits an entire ecosystem. Labels, managers, producers, and festival organizers around the world now look to Lagos, Accra, and Johannesburg with genuine interest. Major record labels have opened offices across Africa. Investment is pouring in for local tours, video shoots, and brand partnerships.

In Nigeria alone, new stars like Rema, Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, and Asake have exploded onto the international scene, emboldened by the paths Wizkid and Tems have forged.

Inside Apple Music’s Most Streamed Songs of All Time

The Top of the Top

Apple Music’s list of the Top 500 most streamed songs ever is a time capsule of the last decade’s biggest musical moments. The top ranks are filled with songs that didn’t just dominate radio—they became cultural movements.

  • Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” claims the crown as the most streamed song in Apple Music history, a testament to Sheeran’s universal appeal and the song’s unbeatable pop formula.
  • The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” with its neon-soaked 80s revival sound, is another top contender, showing how nostalgia can power modern hits.
  • Drake’s “God’s Plan,” at number 3, is more than a song—it was a viral social experiment, a feel-good anthem tied to the power of generosity.

Amid these global giants, seeing “One Dance” at number 6 and “Wait For U” at number 42 isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s historical. It positions Nigerian music not as a novelty or regional curiosity but as a core pillar of the global pop landscape.

The Broader Impact on African Music Economies

Boosting Local Industries

When global streaming revenues flow back to Nigerian rights holders, producers, and publishers, it stimulates the entire creative economy. More money means better studios, more professional video shoots, improved artist management, and ultimately, more jobs.

And it’s not just Nigeria. Ghanaian, Kenyan, South African, and Tanzanian artists are riding the same wave. Collaborations are sprouting across countries, building a Pan-African music network with unprecedented economic and cultural influence.

Changing African Business Models

Historically, many African artists had to rely on live shows for the bulk of their income. While concerts are still crucial, the rise in streaming payouts—especially for artists who break into global playlists—means more financial stability and independence. A viral song on Apple Music today can pay for an artist’s next album or allow them to sign more equitable deals.

Wizkid & Tems: Human Stories Behind the Milestones

The Humility of Wizkid

Despite his superstar status, Wizkid often comes across in interviews as remarkably humble, even shy. He frequently attributes his success to “God’s grace” and speaks passionately about using his platform to inspire. He has funded educational initiatives in Nigeria, helped pay school fees for underprivileged children, and continually stresses that his ultimate mission is to “show the world what Africa can do.”

Tems: Empowering African Women

Tems, meanwhile, is vocal about the unique challenges facing African women in music. She often talks about how hard it was to be taken seriously as a female producer in Lagos. Today, she actively mentors young women, encouraging them to master not just singing but also the technical skills of recording and engineering.

Her advocacy ensures her legacy will be more than chart placements—it will be measured in the next generation of African women who rise because she dared to break barriers.

What Comes Next?

The Future of African Global Hits

Given the current trajectory, it’s almost inevitable that more African songs will soon populate Apple Music’s historic lists. With afrobeats now a fixture on international playlists and genres like amapiano from South Africa enjoying similar breakouts, the stage is set for even more artists to join Wizkid and Tems.

Deeper Cross-Cultural Fusions

Collaborations will also evolve. It’s not hard to imagine a future where top artists from Africa and Asia, Latin America, and Europe co-create hits that blend multiple cultural sounds. We’re already seeing hints of this with songs like Burna Boy working with Ed Sheeran, or Tems getting sampled by Beyonce.

Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Music

When we look back decades from now, the significance of Wizkid and Tems’ placements on Apple Music’s all-time streaming list will be clear. They were not just artists who made catchy songs. They were pioneers who redefined what global success could look like for African music.

They helped shift perceptions, expanded markets, and proved that stories from Lagos’ bustling streets or Abuja’s smoky studios could resonate as powerfully in Paris as in Port Harcourt.

As fans, industry insiders, and future historians dissect this era, Wizkid and Tems will be rightfully remembered as torchbearers—artists who didn’t just chase streams, but changed the very currents of global music itself.

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