ICYMI:
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has achieved a historic milestone as the first female Nigerian artist to surpass 10 million units in U.S. music sales.
The achievement was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by Chart Data via X (formerly Twitter), which announced that her hit single “WAIT FOR U”, a collaboration with American rappers Future and Drake, had officially crossed the 10 million sales mark in the United States.
The Grammy-winning track, which earned Tems the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, represents another major milestone in her fast-rising international career.
Tems has also made history as the first African female artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify, further cementing her position as a dominant force in the global music landscape.
She gained widespread international acclaim in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s chart-topping single “Essence”, which broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Tems began her musical journey in 2018 with her debut single “Mr Rebel.”
In a post on X following a recent concert in Kenya, she 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 kicked off on September 28 and runs through November 15, with scheduled performances in cities such as Nairobi, Salvador in Brazil, and Los Angeles, where she is set to perform at Dodger Stadium.
In comparison, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to achieve the same feat. His feature on Drake’s global hit “One Dance” was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2022 after selling over 10 million units in the U.S.
Tems’ latest accomplishment solidifies her legacy as a trailblazer for African female artists on the world stage. Her growing list of accolades includes BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.
