Me & U (Tems song)

"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).

"Me & U" received an award for Outstanding International Song at the 55th NAACP Image Awards and BET Award for Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award.

Background
In 2021, Tems released her second EP If Orange Was a Place. In 2022, Her song "Free Mind" from her debut EP For Broken Ears impacted Rhythmic contemporary radio as a single and charted across the United States. She also achieved success with her collaborations with Future's "Wait for U", Beyoncé's "Move" and Rihanna as a songwriter on "Lift Me Up".

Originally recorded in 2021, "Me & U" interpolates Tems's unreleased song "Only Me" featuring Canadian rapper Drake, which was leaked online earlier in 2023. The song marks Tems's first solo output since If Orange Was a Place, excluding her cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack which was released in 2022.

Tems released the song on 5 October 2023 alongside an accompanying music video directed by Tems and shot in Malta.

Composition
According to Billboard "Me & U" is a fusion of "pop ballad and a clubby Afrobeats banger." The song arose from a freestyle Tems recorded shortly after shooting the music video for "Essence" in 2021. After a promotional image was compared to an illustration of Yoruba goddess Yemoja, Tems noted that it's art symbolises Jesus teaching her to walk on water.

Speaking In a press release, Tems spoke about the meaning, saying: "'Me & U' is about discovering the real me, building a genuine relationship with the Creator, and gaining a true perception of self."

Critical reception
"Me & U" received positive critical reception. Consequence noted that it "proves Tems can hold it down on her own, existing somewhere between a traditional pop ballad and a clubby Afrobeats banger.

Billboard wrote that it is a "self-reflection observed through her relationship with God." Shawn Grant writing for The Source states that "with "Me & U" Tems continues to leave her mark on the global music scene, demonstrating her multifaceted talents as both an artist and visionary".

Commercial performance
"Me & U" charted across the United States peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles, No. 5 on the World Digital Song Sales, No. 12 on the US Hot R&B Songs chart and in the United Kingdom peaked at No. 34 on the Official Singles Chart and reached No. 1 on UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. It also peaked at No. 22 on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.

Credits and personnel

 * Tems – vocals, songwriting
 * GuiltyBeatz – songwriting, production
 * Chris Gehringer – mixing, engineering
 * Ikon – mixing, engineering
 * Spax – mixing, engineering