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"Essence" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid, featuring fellow Nigerian singer Tems. It was released on 30 October 2020, as the fourth single from Wizkid's fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. "Essence" was produced by P2J and Legendury Beatz. The "sensual" song sees the duo express their desire for each other. A music video was released on 9 April 2021, shot in Accra, Ghana. "Essence" is the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200.[1][2] The song received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance.
| "Essence" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Wizkid featuring Tems | ||||
| from the album Made in Lagos | ||||
| Released | 30 October 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:08 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | ||||
| Wizkid singles chronology | ||||
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| Tems singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Essence" on YouTube | ||||
After the song garnered popularity, Tems said that although she was "happy" with her first recording of the song, she felt her verse could have been better. However, Wizkid and his team thought her vocals were great and ultimately kept it. Tems recalled hearing the song "in the most random places", while in Los Angeles.[3]
"Essence" is an Afrobeats/Afro-pop and R&B song.[4][5] Lyrically, it sees Wizkid and Tems yearning for each other's physical connection;[6][7] deemed a "flirtatious" song, the artists deliver "tongue-in-cheek showboating".[4] As observed by NPR's Sidney Madden, the song features Tems singing the chorus about how only her lover can give her the feeling of "lust and obsession and worship that she deserves", with the lyrics "You don't need no other body. You don't need no other body".[8]
Henrietta Taylor of Nigerian publication DST lauded the collaboration, writing: "The Nigerian artists make a formidable duo in the glossy Afrobeats single, with the more established Wizkid giving rising-star Tems a platform to give listeners a glimpse of her knock-out vocals".[4] Praising the chorus as "the hook that keeps on giving", NPR's Sidney Madden opined that the song was not immediately appreciated, due to COVID-19, writing: "this song didn't really get the justice or even the fair playing field it deserved because we were all inside, we were all quarantined. But now that concerts and outdoor picnics and anywhere where the communal experience of music is appreciated is coming back, this song is going to be everywhere, and it's going to continue to go up".[8] Calling the track a perfect mix of Afropop and R&B, Pan African Music said the duo "present an ode to lust" as they "embody sexual desire, advocating a sense of reciprocity".[5] Regina Cho of Revolt deemed the song a stand-out from Made in Lagos, calling Tems's verse "sensual".[9] GRM Daily's Courtney W called it a "silky, smooth" offering.[10] Conversely, NME called the track "expendable".[11]
Critics rankings and year-end lists
In 2021, "Essence" was ranked as the number one best song of 2021 by American magazine Rolling Stone.[12] "Essence" was included in Spotify's Song of the Summer playlist in June 2021,[13] and in Barack Obama's favourite songs of 2020 playlist.[14] In April 2023, African Folder's staff listed Essence as one of the best African songs of all time. [15]
In October 2023, Billboard's staff ranked "Essence" as number 407 in their Best Pop Songs of all Time.[16] Time named it the second best song of 2021.[17]
The Native opined "the song became an ubiquitous presence among listeners, and led to another cultural moment engineered by Wizkid.[18] Billboard staff's remarked that "the song is a big moment for not only the artists involved but for Afrobeats as a global genre, and “Essence” is blazing the trail for more crossover Afrobeats hits to follow suit.[19] The Guardian asserted that "Essence is not just a hit song; it’s a cultural bridge, It has introduced the vibrant sounds of Afrobeats to a wider audience and paved the way for other African artists to reach international success.[20] American rapper Kanye West called "Essence the best song in history."[21] It was name the globe-trotting song of the summer by critics, and became the soundtrack to an optimistic re-emergence after a dark and isolated winter.[22] Time also called the song a ubiquitous hit that contains luxurious sonic experiences of the year.[23] Daniel Anazia of "The Guardian" wrote that "Essence is a success that has spiraled into a moment for Afrobeats.[24] Chris DeVille of Stereogum said "Essence was a perfect encapsulation of a feeling, and its success may portend further chart success for WizKid, Tems, and their African peers.[25] In an interview, American rapper Nicki Minaj argued that "Essence should have been better recognised by the Grammys for Song of the year.[26] Liam Hess of Vogue wrote “Essence was literally inescapable and elevated Afrobeats crossover into the U.S. market, even before Justin Bieber jumped on the record."[27] Legit.ng describe the song as "another landmark defining moment for Afrobeats."[28] "Billboard" named Essence Hot 100 top 10 entry as one the 25 musical moments that defined the first quarter of the 2020s, while saying; "it's a moment for Afrobeats in general, signaling to the industry that the ascendant genre had real staying power on American radio.[29]
The music video was released on 9 April 2021.[30] Directed by Director K of PriorGold Pictures, and produced by Leke Alabi Isama,[31] it was shot in Accra, Ghana. It was the fourth video to be released from Made in Lagos.[11] The visual sees Wizkid and Tems lounging in the streets of Accra, while Wizkid is later seen riding in a car with two women.[11][31] The video was considered "colourful" and "scintillating",[4][6] with GRM Daily saying, "The visuals perfectly coincide with the track's blissful feel and include colourful fits, scenic shots and good vibes".[10] Rolling Stone said the artists "glow, Wiz bare-chested and draped in diamonds, Tems in slick braids and flowing garb".[7]
| "Essence" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) Cover of the Justin Bieber version | ||||
| Single by Wizkid featuring Justin Bieber and Tems | ||||
| from the album Made in Lagos (deluxe edition) | ||||
| Released | 13 August 2021 | |||
| Genre |
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| Length | 4:23 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Justin Bieber singles chronology | ||||
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| Justin Bieber version lyric video | ||||
| "Essence" on YouTube | ||||
A remix of "Essence" featuring additional vocals from Canadian singer Justin Bieber was released on 13 August 2021, and appears on the deluxe edition of Made in Lagos.[32]
| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Best African Collaboration | Won | [33][34] |
| Song of the Year in Africa | Won | |||
| 2021 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Best Collaboration | Won | [35] |
| Best Video | Won | |||
| Song of the Year | Won | |||
| 2021 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best Collaboration | Won | [36][37] |
| Video of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Music Performance | Nominated | [38][39] |
| 2022 | iHeartRadio Music Awards | Hip Hop Song of the Year | Nominated | [40] |
| 2022 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album | Won | [41] |
| Outstanding International Song | Won | [41] | ||
| 2022 | 3Music Awards | African Song of the Year | Won | [42] |
| 2022 | BET Awards | Best Collaboration | Won | [43][44] |
Credits adapted from Tidal.[45]
- Wizkid – vocals, songwriting
- Tems – vocals, songwriting
- Legendury Beatz
- Uzezi Oniko – songwriting, production
- Mut4y – songwriting, production
- P2J – songwriting, production
- Colin Leonard – mastering
- Leandro Hidalgo – mixing
Remix only
- Justin Bieber – vocals, songwriting
- Heidi Wang – assistant engineering
- Benjamin Rice – engineering
- Josh Gudwin – recording, vocal production
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[74] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
| France (SNEP)[75] | Gold | 100,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[76] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| South Africa (RISA)[77] | 7× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[78] | Platinum | 20,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[79] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[80] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 30 October 2020 |
|
[81] | |
| United States | 29 June 2021 | Urban radio | [82] |
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