Free Mind
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Free Mind
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2022|8|9|df=yes}}
| type = single
| artist = Tems
| EP = For Broken Ears
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = R&B
| length = 4:07
| label = Leading Vibes
| writer = Temilade Openiyi
| producer = * Tems
- Omeiza
| chronology = Tems
| prev_title = No Woman, No Cry
| prev_year = 2022
| next_title = Me & U
| next_year = 2023
| misc =
}}
"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.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/2022-03-29/ | title=Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs | magazine=Billboard }}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tems-free-mind-number-1-rb-hip-hop-airplay-chart/ | title=Tems' 'Free Mind' Completes Near-Record Climb to No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Chart | magazine=Billboard }}
"Free Mind" peaked at number 1 on the US Afrobeats chart in late June,{{cite magazine |last1=Cusson |first1=Michael |title=Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/2022-06-25/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=23 June 2022 |date=29 March 2022}} and in October 2022, the song reached number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2022-10-15/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of October 15, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=11 October 2022}} 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."{{cite web |title=Best New Music: Tems is on her best form with a "Free Mind" |url=https://thenativemag.com/best-new-music-tems-best-form-free-mind/ |website=The Native |access-date=23 June 2022 |date=29 September 2020}} 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.'"{{cite web |last1=Alake |first1=Motolani |title=Tems makes music for 'different strains' on 'For Broken Ears' [EP Review] |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/tems-for-broken-ears-ep-review/yw7eqz8 |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=24 June 2022 |language=en |date=1 October 2020}}
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."{{cite web |last1=Makinde |first1=Tami |title=Review: Tems' 'For Broken Ears' |url=https://thenativemag.com/featured/review-tems-for-broken-ears/ |website=The Native |access-date=23 June 2022}} 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.
Commercial performance
On 4 November 2021, Tems performed a live version of "Free Mind" at Tiny Desk Concerts.{{cite web |title=Tems Performs "Damages," "Free Mind," & More During Her Tiny Desk Concert |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/tems-performs-damages-free-mind-and-more-during-her-tiny-desk-concert-news.142257.html |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=23 June 2022 |language=en |date=5 November 2021}} "Free Mind" debuted at number 90 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on 25 July 2022.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2022-07-30/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of July 30, 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=4 November 2024}} On 21 June 2022, "Free Mind" reached number one on the US Afrobeats Songs chart. It also debuted at number 5 on the US R&B Songs chart,{{cite magazine |title=Hot R&B Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-songs/2022-06-18/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=23 June 2022}} and reached number 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.{{cite magazine |title=Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/mainstream-r-and-b-hip-hop/2022-06-11/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=23 June 2022}} "Free Mind" debuted at number 28 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs,{{cite magazine |title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2022-06-25/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=23 June 2022 }} 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.{{cite magazine |title=R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-r-and-b-hip-hop-airplay/2022-06-25/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=23 June 2022}} It reached number 60 on the South African Local & International Streaming Chart Top 100, in the 23rd week of 2022.
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Free Mind" ! scope="col"| Chart (2022–2023) ! scope="col"| Peak |
| {{single chart|South Africa2|60|year=2022|week=23|rowheader=true|access-date=1 June 2024|refname=SA}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|46|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardafrobeats|1|artist=Tems|access-date=3 December 2024|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|12|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphopairplay|1|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|10|artist=Tems|rowheader=true|access-date=4 November 2024}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2022 year-end chart performance for "Free Mind" ! scope="col"| Chart (2022) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| US Afrobeats Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/|title=Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs – Year-End 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 December 2022}}
| 4 |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs/|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2 December 2022}}
| 27 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Free Mind"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Tems|title=Free Mind|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|access-date=27 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Tems|title=Free Mind|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=27 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Tems|title=Free Mind|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|id=19390-6521-1|access-date=21 October 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Tems|title=Free Mind|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2020|certyear=2025|access-date=7 February 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history for "Free Mind" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Refh}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| United States
| August 9, 2022 | rowspan="2"|{{hlist|Leading Vibes|RCA}} |
|---|
| February 7, 2023 |