Grammy award wining singer, Wizkid’s hit single ‘Essence’ featuring Tems has been certified Gold by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Wizkid’s manager and third baby mama, Jada Pollock made this known via her Instagram page on Thursday.
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According to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for a single to be Gold certified, the song must have sold at least 500,000 units.
The award counts both downloads and on-demand music streams. On-demand audio and/or video song streams are counted towards the thresholds required for certification at the formula of 150 on-demand streams being equivalent to one download sale.
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The song ‘Essence’ has now becomes his second to be certified this year after his 2017 song, Come Closer, featuring Canadian rapper, Drake, was certified platinum and gold in the UK and Australia respectively in April.
In 2020, Wizkid became the first African artiste to be certified Gold in the United States, after 500,000 units of Come Closer was sold.
Featuring Tems, Essence was released in October 2020 as the 11th song on Made in Lagos, Wizkid’s fourth studio album.
Read Also: Fans Agog With Excitement As Wizkid Releases ‘Made In Lagos’ Album Today
The original version, produced by P2J and Legendury Beatz, features the sonorous singer, Tems.
Garnering the attention of American stars such as Snoop Dogg and Kylie Jenner, Essence became popular with the American audience earlier this year.
Back in July, the song debuted at no 82 on Billboards Hot 100 chart, making Wizkid the first Nigerian hitmaker to score a Billboard Hot 100 entry.
Read Also: Tems Makes First Debut As Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ Becomes First Nigerian Song To Make Billboard’s Hot 100
Hot 100 rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming in the United States.
After four weeks, ‘Essence’ would record another leap, climbing by 23 spots on the Hot 100 to achieve 59th place.
Barack Obama, former president of the United States, had listed the hit song among his favourites for 2020.
Read Also: WizKid’s Song Featuring Tems Make Barack Obama’s List Of Favourite Music Of 2020
The song which has been been tagged ‘the song of the summer’ by Canadian superstar singer, Justin Beiber, later featured the artist on a remix, producing a video of him beautifully delivering his verse.
Thanks to its new remix with Justin Bieber, Wizkid’s Essence featuring Tems moved into the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The updated version —- now with Bieber also as a featured act —- continues the single’s rise as the latest success for Afrobeats genre.
Read Also: WATCH: Wizkid, Justin Bieber Perform ‘Essence’ Remix At Jay-Z’s Made In America Concert
Wizkid previously appeared on the chart as a featured act, alongside Kyla, on Drake’s “One Dance,” which was No. 1 for a then-record-tying 18 weeks in 2016.
Tems has also earned her first top 10 upon her first appearance on the chart. Also, the remix of the song holds the number seven position on Apple Music’s Top 100: Nigeria.
On August 31, 2021, Essence became the most searched song on the music search platform, Shazam.
Wizkid’s album, Made in Lagos, also hit the Number One spot on the Billboard World Album Chart in August.
Last week, the remix with Justin Bieber sat at No. 1 position on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Congratulations Wizkid and Tems!
