Wizkid’s Essence goes 3X Platinum in the USA — becomes highest certified African song in RIAA history

by Jess November 13, 2022, 9:01 pm 1.5k Views

Wizkid’s globetrotting hit song Essence is still the talk of town. Featuring the prolific Tems, the explosive record has continued its remarkable run in the United States and is now set for a 3X Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) platinum certification after moving an additional 1 million units.

This takes its total sales in the USA alone to over 3 million units, as reported by Chart Data.

chart data on Twitter: “US Certifications (@RIAA): @wizkidayo Feat. @temsbaby, Essence 3x Platinum (3,000,000). / Twitter”
US Certifications (@RIAA): @wizkidayo Feat. @temsbaby, Essence 3x Platinum (3,000,000).

Essence was released in 2020 as part of Wizkid’s fourth studio album Made In Lagos. It wasn’t even a lead single but quickly became a fan-favourite and a smash hit. The song earned Wiz his first collaboration with Pop icon Justin Bieber, and the collab boosted the song’s appeal in the states, making it the first African song to reach the top 10 of Billboard Hot 100.

This new milestone makes Essence the highest certified African song in the history of RIAA after surpassing CKay’s Love Nwantiti which is certified 2X platnum.

chart data on Twitter: “.@wizkidayo and @temsbaby’s “Essence” extends its record as the highest certified African song in RIAA history. / Twitter”
@wizkidayo and @temsbaby’s “Essence” extends its record as the highest certified African song in RIAA history.

Wizkid released his fifth studio album More Love, Less Ego on Friday, November 11 and will be hoping that one of the songs on the album follows in the footsteps of Essence.

Relive the Essence magic; watch Wizkid X Tems — Essence official video below.