Wizkid’s Essence Hits Major Streaming Milestones: A Global Triumph
Since its release on October 30, 2020, Essence — Wizkid featuring Tems — has steadily risen to become one of the most important and defining Afrobeats songs of the 21st century. Not only has it earned critical praise and industry recognition, it is now crossing streaming benchmarks that show its deep global impact.
Streaming Figures & Records
On Spotify, Essence has surpassed 314 million streams.
It is among Wizkid’s top tracks on the platform, regularly appearing in his most streamed songs list.
The song also hit the 300 million streams mark on Spotify, a milestone very few Nigerian songs have reached.
On Pandora in the U.S., the Essence remix featuring Justin Bieber (and/or other versions) has also racked up large numbers — over 150 million streams.
These numbers reflect both the song’s staying power and cross-border appeal. Essence hasn’t just spiked in popularity; it has stayed relevant over years, accumulating streams steadily.
Significant Firsts & Cultural Impact
Essence made history by becoming the first Nigerian song ever to enter the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200 charts.
It has been praised widely by critics. Rolling Stone named it the top song of 2021, among other year-end and all-time lists.
The music video, shot in Aburi, Ghana, added to its international dimension. The visuals, sensual but tasteful, complement the mood of the song.
Why Essence Works So Well
Several factors contribute to why Essence has earned both critical and commercial success:
- Musicality & Production: The blend of Afrobeats rhythms, smooth vocals, with Tems’ and Wizkid’s interplay, plus subtle instrumentation, gives it a sensual, atmospheric feel that is both relaxing and deeply emotional.
- Universal Themes: The theme of desire, longing, connection — these are universal. Even though there are culturally specific touches, the feelings are broadly relatable.
- Crossover & Collaborations: The remix version (featuring Justin Bieber) helped open up more global streaming audiences. Then digital placements (Spotify playlists, radio, TikTok trends) amplified its reach.
- Longevity and Timing: It came out at a time when global interest in Afrobeats was accelerating. Made in Lagos as an album was widely celebrated; Essence was a strong anchor. Also, it wasn’t just hype — the song has had staying power, continuing to stream well long after release.
