Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems, born Temilade Openiy,i has made history as the first female Nigerian artist to have a single sell over 10 million units in the United States.
The milestone was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by Chart Data on X (formerly Twitter), which announced that “WAIT FOR U”, her collaborative hit with Future and Drake, had officially surpassed the 10 million sales mark in the US.
The track, which also earned Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, marks another major step in her global career.
She also became the first African female artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify, reinforcing her growing dominance in the international music scene.
Tems rose to global recognition in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence”, which broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. She began her career in 2018 with her debut single “Mr Rebel.”
In a recent post on X after performing in Kenya, Tems wrote, “Kenya! The love has been insane! I love you so much. Till next time.”
She is currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which began on September 28 and runs through November 15, with stops in cities including Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), and Los Angeles, where she will perform at Dodger Stadium.
In comparison, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to hit the same milestone. His feature on Drake’s “One Dance” was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2022 after selling over 10 million units in the US.
Tems’ latest record cements her status as a trailblazer for African female artists in the global music industry, with multiple accolades including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.
