Free Mind

Last updated

"Free Mind"
Single by Tems
from the EP For Broken Ears
Released9 August 2022 (2022-08-09) [1]
Genre R&B
Length4:07
Label Leading Vibes
Songwriter(s) Temilade Openiyi
Producer(s)
Tems singles chronology
"No Woman, No Cry"
(2022)		"Free Mind"
(2022)		"Me & U"
(2023)

"Free Mind" is a song by Nigerian singer and record producer Tems. It first appeared on 25 September 2020 as the third track from Tems's debut extended play, For Broken Ears . Tems wrote and produced the song alongside co-producer Omeiza. The song debuted on 2 April 2022 at number 5 on the then newly launched Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. [2] [3]

Contents

"Free Mind" peaked at number 1 on the US Afrobeats chart in late June, [4] and in October 2022, the song reached number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. [5] It impacted US rhythmic contemporary radio as a single on August 9, 2022.

Composition

The Native wrote that "Free Mind" begins with "soft piano keys and a thumping bass" and its "catchy, self-produced (alongside Omeiza) beat sets the foundation for Tems' honest confessional. With recurring bass after every four bars, one will find themselves bopping their head to the bounce and in agreement with what she's saying in unison." [6] Pulse.ng found that Tems "sings about doubt, fear and the mental strains of tough situations. It basically feels like a diary entry by the mentally strained. But instead of succumbing, she embraces the peace that comes with a 'Free Mind.'" [7]

Critical reception

In review for The Native , Tami Makinde wrote "On the groovy standout "Free Mind", she mulls over thoughts of escapism trying to navigate life with a clouded mind." [8] In review for Pulse Nigeria, Motolani Alake said in his final thought on "Free Mind", Motolani says: This way, Tems could have told a story of self, her manifesto, a short love story, and personal tales of empowerment for downtrodden. Another flaw of Tems’ use of her vocal range - it might feel non-explorative and singular to some finicky listeners. [7]

Commercial performance

On 4 November 2021, Tems performed a live version of "Free Mind" at Tiny Desk Concerts. [9] "Free Mind" debuted at number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 25 July 2022. [5] On 21 June 2022, "Free Mind" reached number one on the US Afrobeats Songs chart. [4] It also debuted at number 5 on the US R&B Songs chart, [10] and reached number 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. [11] "Free Mind" debuted at number 28 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, [12] and number 22 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, where it hit #1 after 33 weeks, becoming only the second song to ever do so. [13] It reached number 60 on the South African Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100, in the 23rd week of 2022. [14]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Free Mind"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [20] Gold40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [21] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [22] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Free Mind"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesAugust 9, 2022 Rhythmic contemporary radio
  • Leading Vibes
  • RCA
[1]
February 7, 2023 Urban contemporary radio [23]

Related Research Articles

R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks the top R&B and hip hop songs in the United States, based on audience impressions from a panel of radio stations monitored by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. It was also used in sister publication R&R, which listed the chart as Urban National Airplay. The chart is not the R&B/hip-hop subset of the Hot 100 Airplay chart, but rather uses a separate panel of R&B stations in urban and urban adult contemporary markets. It was the primary airplay component chart of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart until the issue dated October 20, 2012, when Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs was revamped to include digital sales, streaming, and airplay from all radio formats. The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart encompasses two separate airplay charts, both of which are based on radio spins rather than audience impressions: Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and Adult R&B Airplay, which measure airplay on urban contemporary and urban adult contemporary stations respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money Maker</span> 2006 single by Ludacris featuring Pharrell

"Money Maker" is a song written and performed by American rapper Ludacris featuring fellow American musician Pharrell Williams. The song was released to the radio on July 17, 2006 as the first single from Ludacris's fifth album Release Therapy. Produced by Williams and Chad Hugo, the song is a reimagining of the 1961 Elmore James blues song "Shake Your Moneymaker". The single became Ludacris' third number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Tracks charts.

The Rhythmic chart is an airplay chart published weekly by Billboard magazine.

"Nothing in This World" is song by American R&B singer Keke Wyatt featuring American R&B singer Avant released as the second single taken from her debut album Soul Sista (2002). The song was released on December 4, 2001 through MCA Records. The song was written and produced by Steve 'Stone' Huff. The music video was directed by Aaron Courseault.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Flame</span> Song by Chris Brown

"New Flame" is a song recorded by American singer Chris Brown. It was originally released as a promotional single from Brown's album on March 5, 2014. This version only featured rapper Rick Ross as a guest artist. A few months later, a day after the 2014 BET Awards were held, the single version of the song featuring Ross and Usher was released on June 30, 2014, as the fifth official single from his sixth studio album X. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Mind (Usher song)</span> 2014 single by Usher featuring Juicy J

"I Don't Mind" is a song by American singer Usher, featuring American rapper Juicy J. It was released on November 21, 2014, through RCA Records, as the intended third single from his then-upcoming eighth studio album, Hard II Love. The song's lyrics concern being involved with a stripper, and not being bothered by her line of work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You Mind (DJ Khaled song)</span> 2016 single by DJ Khaled

"Do You Mind" is a single by American musician DJ Khaled featuring Trinidadian musician Nicki Minaj and fellow American musicians Chris Brown, Jeremih, Future, August Alsina, and Rick Ross. It was released on July 28, 2016 by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records as the fourth single of the former's ninth studio album, Major Key. The song peaked at number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. It was eventually certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

"And On and On" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her second remix album Janet Remixed (1995). As the B-side to "Any Time, Any Place", "And On and On" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached number one as a B-side on the Cash Box chart in the summer of 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">H.E.R. discography</span>

American singer-songwriter H.E.R. has released one studio album, two compilation albums, five extended plays, twenty-three singles and thirteen promotional singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall (Davido song)</span> 2017 single by Davido

"Fall" is a song by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released as the second single from his second studio album, A Good Time (2019). The song was produced by Nigerian record producer Kiddominant. On 25 June 2017, "Fall" was ranked second on Playdata charts' list of the Most Played Songs in Nigeria. According to Rolling Stone magazine, "Fall" was one of the top-100-most-Shazam-searched singles in America in January 2019, and was a top-10 record on Shazam in New York. In February 2019, "Fall" became the longest charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history. It was ranked 163 on Pitchfork's list of the 200 Best Songs of the 2010s. As of August 2021, "Fall" has received over 60 million streams on Spotify, and has been certified platinum by the RIAA and Music Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tems</span> Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1995)

Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.

"Go Crazy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Chris Brown and American rapper Young Thug, from their collaborative mixtape Slime & B, released on May 5, 2020. After it became the only charting song from the mixtape, it was officially released as a single on May 19, 2020. The song is a trap-infused R&B record, with production that samples the Showboys's 1986 single "Drag Rap", for which the Showboys are credited as writers. The official remix of the song was released on February 19, 2021, and features fellow American rappers Future, Lil Durk, and Latto.

"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. The song received a nomination at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tems discography</span>

Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer Tems has released two extended plays (EPs), one soundtrack album, and 14 singles. In 2020, Tems released her debut extended play For Broken Ears which contained the single "Damages" and later "Free Mind" which impacted US contemporary radio as a single in 2022, it debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46 and breaking the female record for longest charting number one song on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. In 2021, Tems was featured on the Wizkid's single "Essence". It spawned a remix with Justin Bieber and became the first Nigerian song to chart on Billboard's Hot 100 of which it peaked at number 9 and Global 200 chart. Essence was certified 4X platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In the same year, Tems released her second EP If Orange Was a Place, after signing with RCA Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peru (song)</span> 2021 single by Fireboy DML

"Peru" is a song by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 July 2021, through YBNL Nation, and distributed by Empire. "Peru" was written by Fireboy DML, Ivory Scott, & Kolten Perine and produced by Shizzi & Perine. On 23 December 2021, a reworked version of "Peru" was released, in collaboration with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The music video for the version with Sheeran was released on 24 December 2021. An additional remix, featuring rappers 21 Savage and Blxst was also later released. The song was nominated at the 7th annual African Entertainment Awards USA for Song of the Year. The song is not about the country of Peru, but rather a reference to Nigerian singer Peruzzi; the government of Peru nonetheless reacted positively to the song on Twitter.

Daniel Etiese Benson, known professionally as Bnxn and formerly known as Buju, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finesse (Pheelz song)</span> 2022 single by Pheelz

"Finesse" is a song by Nigerian record producer Pheelz. It was uploaded on TikTok in February 2022 and commercially released on 3 March 2022, through Riidiimacool. The song was produced by Miichkel and features vocals from Nigerian Afro-fusion singer Bnxn. During its debut week, the record gained popularity across TikTok in Europe and America, with the #FolakeChallenge hashtag.

 "Higher" is a song by Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer Tems. It was released through Leading Vibes as the fifth track from Tems debut extended play, For Broken Ears, on September 25, 2020. It was produced by Tems alongside Tejiri Akpoghene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soweto (song)</span> 2022 single by Victony

"Soweto" is a 2022 song by Nigerian singer Victony and producer Tempoe. It was released as the first single from Victony's second extended play Outlaw. It gained popularity on Tiktok and charted across the United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands and Switzerland. A remix featuring Omah Lay was released before a second remix with Rema and Don Toliver was released propelling the song further.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me & U (Tems song)</span> 2023 single by Tems

"Me & U" is a song by Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems, released on 5 October 2023, through RCA Records. Written and produced by both GuiltyBeatz and Tems, it serves as the lead single for her debut album Born in the Wild, and is her first solo release since her extended play If Orange Was a Place (2021).

References

  1. 1 2 "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases | R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates". Archived from the original on 9 August 2022.
  2. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/2022-03-29/
  3. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/pro/tems-free-mind-number-1-rb-hip-hop-airplay-chart/
  4. 1 2 3 Cusson, Michael (29 March 2022). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Billboard Hot 100: Week of October 15, 2022". Billboard . Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Best New Music: Tems is on her best form with a "Free Mind"". The Native. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 Alake, Motolani (1 October 2020). "Tems makes music for 'different strains' on 'For Broken Ears' [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  8. ↑ Makinde, Tami. "Review: Tems' 'For Broken Ears'". The Native. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Tems Performs "Damages," "Free Mind," & More During Her Tiny Desk Concert". HotNewHipHop. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Hot R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100 Week 23-2022". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  15. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of October 15, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Trevor (18 May 2023). "Tems' 'Free Mind' Breaks Female Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Rhythmic Airplay: Week of October 22, 2022". Billboard . Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  18. ↑ "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  19. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  20. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Tems – Free Mind". Music Canada . Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  21. ↑ "British single certifications – Tems – Free Mind". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "American single certifications – Tems – Free Mind". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  23. ↑ "Urban/R&B Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.