Afrobeats.no
Breaking down Wizkid and Tems' perfect storm — the song that took Afrobeats to places it had never been.
In the summer of 2021, one song was everywhere.
Beach clubs in Ibiza. Brooklyn block parties. TikTok dances with millions of views. Radio stations that had never played Afrobeats. Justin Bieber begging for a remix feature.
"Essence" by Wizkid featuring Tems didn't just chart. It became a cultural moment — the song that proved Afrobeats could dominate globally, not just cross over.
But why this song? What made "Essence" different from the thousands of Afrobeats tracks before it?
The Perfect Storm
1. The Sound Was Universal
"Essence" isn't obviously Afrobeats.
There are no aggressive drums, no high-energy drops, no sounds that code immediately as "African music." Instead, you get:
- A hazy, lo-fi guitar loop
- Soft, minimal percussion
- Floating, almost R&B-style vocals
- A tempo slow enough to feel intimate
This was Afrobeats at its most accessible — a song that could play on any station, any playlist, without sonic friction. You didn't need to understand the genre to feel the song.
The genius: It was still unmistakably Afrobeats in structure and feel, but the sonic palette was universal.
2. The Chemistry
Wizkid's verse sets the tone. Laid-back, confident, romantic without being corny.
Then Tems enters.
Her voice is something else — smoky, powerful, effortless. When she sings "You don't need no other body," it lands like a statement of fact, not a plea.
The chemistry isn't just romantic — it's musical. Wizkid's smoothness meets Tems' depth. They push and pull. They complement without competing.
This pairing wasn't obvious before it happened. After "Essence," it became iconic.
3. The Timing
"Essence" technically released in October 2020 as part of Wizkid's "Made in Lagos" album. But it didn't explode immediately.
By summer 2021, the world was emerging from pandemic restrictions. People wanted:
- Music that felt good
- Songs that evoked warmth and connection
- Sounds that matched summer energy
"Essence" arrived at exactly the right moment. It was the soundtrack to reopening, to outdoor gatherings, to summer nights finally happening again.
Timing isn't everything. But it matters.
4. TikTok and Virality
The dance challenge sealed it.
Once "Essence" hit TikTok, the algorithm did its work. The sound spread across demographics and geographies. People who had never listened to Afrobeats were learning the lyrics.
The song had a hook that begged to be sung: "You don't need no other body..."
That singability, that earworm quality, drove viral spread.
5. The Remix
Then Justin Bieber jumped on.
The remix (August 2021) pushed "Essence" even further into mainstream consciousness. Bieber brought his massive audience. Radio stations that were hesitant now had a "safe" reason to play it.
Importantly, Bieber's verse added to the song without overshadowing Wizkid and Tems. The original essence (pun intended) remained intact.
The remix didn't make the song. But it extended its run and cemented its crossover status.
What It Represented
For Wizkid
"Essence" was the crowning achievement of a career pivot.
Early Wizkid (2010s) was energetic, uptempo, party music. "Made in Lagos" Wizkid was mature, moody, confident. "Essence" showed he could make music that worked globally without chasing global sounds.
He didn't need a hip-hop feature or a pop production. He needed to be fully himself.
For Tems
"Essence" was a launchpad.
Tems was already respected in Nigeria with her "For Broken Ears" EP. But "Essence" introduced her to the world. After this, she would:
- Feature on Drake's "Certified Lover Boy"
- Win a Grammy with "Wait for U"
- Perform at the Oscars
- Become one of the most in-demand voices in global music
None of that happens without "Essence" proving she could hold her own next to a star like Wizkid.
For Afrobeats
"Essence" answered a question the industry had been asking: Can Afrobeats have a global number one that doesn't feature an American rapper?
The answer was yes.
This wasn't Afrobeats as a feature on Drake's song. This was Afrobeats, made in Lagos, going global on its own terms.
The doors it opened: Rema's "Calm Down" actually hitting number one. Burna Boy's continued global presence. Ayra Starr, Asake, and others knowing that the ceiling was higher than ever.
The Construction
Breaking down why the song works musically:
The Intro
That guitar loop — warm, slightly fuzzy, instantly memorable. It establishes mood before any lyrics. You're already feeling something.
The Hook
"You don't need no other body" is simple but specific. It's romantic without being generic. The melody sits perfectly in a singable range.
The Space
"Essence" breathes. There's room between the elements. In an era of maximalist production, this minimalism stood out.
The Build
The song doesn't explode — it intensifies subtly. By the time Tems hits her final notes, the energy has grown without ever feeling like a traditional drop.
The Length
3:49 — perfect streaming length. Not so short it feels incomplete. Not so long it loses attention.
The Lesson
"Essence" succeeded because it was excellent and accessible.
Too often, artists think global success requires abandoning their sound. "Essence" proved the opposite: the most authentic expressions, executed perfectly, can go anywhere.
Wizkid didn't make an American song. He made a Nigerian song that happened to resonate universally because the emotions — love, desire, connection — are universal.
The production was world-class. The performances were excellent. The timing was right. The chemistry was undeniable.
When all of those align, you get an anthem.
Essential Context
Before you press play again, know this:
- Wizkid at this point had been famous in Africa for 11 years. This wasn't an overnight success story — it was the peak of a long career.
- Tems released her debut EP "For Broken Ears" in 2020. She was rising in Nigeria but unknown globally.
- "Made in Lagos" the album was a full creative statement — "Essence" was its standout, but the whole project showed Wizkid's evolution.
- The Justin Bieber remix was Bieber's request, not a label play. He genuinely loved the song.
Listen Again
Now that you know the context, listen again.
Hear the intentional minimalism. Feel the chemistry. Understand what this moment meant for Afrobeats.
"Essence" isn't just a good song. It's a milestone.
You don't need no other body. Now you know why.