Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems has earned two nominations at the 2026 Soul Train Awards, standing out as the only artist recognized in both newly introduced fan-voted categories. BET announced the initial slate of nominees on Monday, October 5, marking the return of the long-running celebration of R&B, soul, and Black music after a three-year pause.
Tems received nods for R&B/Soul Song of the Year with her track “What You Need” and for Spotify’s RNB X International Artist. Voting for both categories opened immediately and runs through October 16. Fans can cast ballots for Song of the Year exclusively on BET.com, while the international artist category is decided inside the Spotify app.
Winners will be revealed during the telecast on Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
The Song of the Year field is competitive. Nominees include Brent Faiyaz’s “Butterflies,” Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might,” Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller’s “It Depends,” Daniel Caesar’s “Who Knows,” Justin Bieber’s “Yukon,” Kehlani’s “Folded,” Mariah the Scientist featuring Kali Uchis’ “Is It a Crime,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” Tems’ “What You Need,” and Tyla’s “Chanel.”
Billboard noted that “What You Need” has been a top-five hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, highlighting its commercial strength in the eligibility window of June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.
In the Spotify RNB X International Artist category, which celebrates performers expanding R&B’s global reach through cultural influence, streaming performance, and genre impact, Tems competes alongside Cleo Sol, FLO, kwn, Odeal, Tiana Major9, and others. The category draws its name from Spotify’s flagship R&B playlist and highlights artists bringing fresh perspectives across borders.
“What You Need” arrived on November 21, 2025, as a single from Tems’ EP Love Is a Kingdom, released via RCA Records and Since ’93. Written by Tems (Temilade Openiyi) and produced with frequent collaborator GuiltyBeatz, the introspective track explores emotional boundaries and the decision to step away from a relationship that no longer serves either person.
A COLORS performance released in late January 2026 helped propel the song onto the Billboard Hot 100, where it eventually peaked at No. 29-Tems’ highest solo placement on the chart to date. It also reached No. 5 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and topped the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
The nominations arrive as the Soul Train Awards reinvent themselves for a new era. After last airing in 2023 and going on hiatus in 2024 and 2025, the show is returning with a reimagined format.
It will be taped at the Harris Theater in Chicago-the city where Don Cornelius launched the original Soul Train television program in 1971 before airing on BET with a first-time simulcast on CBS, plus BET Her, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO.
Actor and comedian Anthony Anderson will host. Spotify serves as the exclusive music streaming partner, with Toyota as a key sponsor. Additional categories, performers, and special honorees are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
For Tems, the dual recognition continues a trajectory that has made her one of the most distinctive voices bridging African music and global R&B. Born Temilade Openiyi in Lagos in 1995, she first gained international attention through her feature on Wizkid’s 2020 hit “Essence.”
She later appeared on Drake’s work, contributed to Future’s chart-topping “Wait for U” (which sampled her own “Higher” and earned a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance), collaborated with Beyoncé on Renaissance, and co-wrote Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Her 2024 debut album Born in the Wild and subsequent projects have further solidified her reputation for blending alternative R&B, Afrobeats, and soulful introspection.
Public Reaction
Industry observers note that Tems’ presence in both fan-voted categories reflects the growing international influence of African artists within traditional R&B spaces. While some online discussion has questioned the inclusion of certain pop-leaning tracks in the Song of the Year lineup, Tems’ nomination has drawn particular praise from fans highlighting African representation alongside South African artist Tyla.
Voting remains open for less than two weeks. Supporters of Tems can vote for “What You Need” on BET.com and back her in the international category directly within Spotify. The November 27 broadcast will reveal whether fan support translates into wins as the Soul Train Awards celebrate both the genre’s heritage and its evolving global sound.
Details on the full nominee list and additional programming will continue to roll out as the event approaches.
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