Two Nigerian artists have claimed the top spot on the Official UK Singles Chart, as British-Nigerian rapper Dave and Nigerian singer Tems reached Number One with their collaborative single Raindance.
The song climbed to the summit of the Official Singles Chart this week, after previously peaking at Number Two, giving both artists a major milestone in the UK music market and underscoring Nigeria’s growing global influence in contemporary music.
For Dave, born David Orobosa Michael Omoregie, the achievement marks his fourth Number One single in the United Kingdom, following Funky Friday with Fredo, Starlight and Sprinter with Central Cee. The latest chart success also means he now holds the record for the most Official Number One singles this decade by a UK rapper.
Raindance has spent several weeks on the UK chart and becomes Dave’s latest chart-topping release, all of which he produced or co-produced. The rapper, who is of Nigerian heritage and raised in London, has been widely recognised for his socially conscious lyricism and commercial success across the UK music scene.
For Tems, whose full name is Temilade Openiyi, the Number One position represents her first appearance at the top of the Official UK Singles Chart. The singer has steadily built an international profile through global collaborations and solo releases, making the latest milestone a significant moment in her career.
Tems rose to prominence after her feature on Wizkid’s Essence and has since earned multiple international accolades, including Grammy Awards. In recent years, she has charted globally with songs such as Free Mind and Love Me JeJe, while also collaborating with artists including Drake, Future and Rihanna.
The chart-topping success of Raindance places two Nigerian artists at the forefront of the UK music industry at the same time, a rare occurrence that reflects the growing reach of Afrobeats and African-influenced sounds on mainstream global charts.
Beyond the single’s success, the achievement further strengthens Dave’s position as one of the most commercially successful rappers in the UK, while cementing Tems’ status as one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised music exports.
The moment has been widely celebrated by fans across social media, with many describing the Number One spot as a landmark achievement for Nigerian representation on one of the world’s most influential music charts.
Ademide Adebayo
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