"Essence" by Nigerian superstar featuring the breakout soulful vocals of Tems is a landmark global hit from the 2020 album Made in Lagos . Often dubbed the "Song of the Summer" in 2021, it is a sultry blend of Afrobeats, Afro-pop, and R&B. Musical Impact and Achievements
It became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200. Wizkid - Essence ft. Tems
Rolling Stone ranked "Essence" as the #1 song of 2021 and later included it as the #22 greatest song of the 21st century . Rolling Stone ranked "Essence" as the #1 song
The song has sold over 5 million units in the U.S., earning it a 5x Platinum certification from the RIAA. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Global
The track is celebrated for its stripped-back, multi-layered production by P2J and Legendury Beatz, which emphasizes a moody, intimate vibe.
It received a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance and won Best Collaboration at the 2022 BET Awards. Collaborative Chemistry
The song's success is largely attributed to the organic chemistry between the two artists:
