Tems sets new record as first Nigerian female artist to sell over 10 million units in the US, reinforcing her global music dominance.
Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has set a historic record as the first Nigerian female artist to sell over 10 million units of a single in the United States.
The milestone was confirmed on September 30, 2025, by music tracker Chart Data, which announced that “WAIT FOR U”—her Grammy-winning collaboration with Future and Drake—has officially surpassed the 10 million sales mark in the US.
The track earned Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance and further solidified her global dominance. She also holds the title of being the first African female artist to cross one billion streams on Spotify.
Tems first rose to international prominence in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s “Essence”, which broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Since debuting in 2018 with “Mr Rebel”, her artistry has continued to break boundaries.
Currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, Tems has performed in Nairobi and will make stops in Salvador, Brazil, and Los Angeles, where she is set to perform at Dodger Stadium.
For comparison, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to hit the milestone, after his feature on Drake’s “One Dance” was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2022.
With multiple accolades including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award, Tems’ latest achievement cements her status as a trailblazer for African female artists in the global music industry.
About the Author
