Wizkid’s “Essence” deserves a Grammy! – Presidency

By Tolulope Oke

The Presidency has weighed in on the global success of “Essence”, the hit single by Nigerian superstar Wizkid featuring Tems, following a standout performance at Coachella 2026 over the weekend.

In response to viral video clips showing Wizkid and Tems joining Canadian pop star Justin Bieber on stage to perform the “Essence” remix at the iconic California music festival, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, tweeted support for the song’s legacy.

Onanuga wrote: “Still wondering why Essence did not win a Grammy. Great song, great rhythm!”

Essence was originally released on 30 October 2020 as a single from Wizkid’s critically acclaimed fourth studio album Made in Lagos.

The song, produced by Legendury Beatz and P2J, became a breakout global hit for both Wizkid and Tems, marking a major milestone for Afrobeats and Nigerian music on the world stage.

A remix of “Essence” featuring Justin Bieber, released on 13 August 2021, propelled the song to a global audience and helped it enter major international charts. The remix became the first Nigerian track to reach the top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number nine — a landmark for Afrobeats music.

The original Essence also made history as the first Nigerian song to chart on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200, drawing global attention and paving the way for African artists in mainstream music markets.