Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has achieved another groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first female Nigerian artist to sell over 10 million units in the United States.
The achievement was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by music tracker Chart Data, which announced that “WAIT FOR U”—her collaborative hit with Future and Drake—had officially crossed the 10 million sales mark, earning Diamond status in the US.
The Grammy-winning track, which secured Tems the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, adds to her growing global dominance. Earlier, Tems also became the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, further cementing her international reputation.
Tems first rose to prominence in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s smash hit “Essence”, which became the first Nigerian song to break into the Billboard Hot 100 and later earned multiple Grammy nominations. Since then, she has continued to blaze trails with her unique sound.
She is currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which kicked off on September 28 and runs until November 15, with stops in Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), Los Angeles, and other major cities.
In a post after her Kenya performance, she shared her gratitude: “Kenya! The love has been insane! I love you so much. Till next time.”
Tems now joins Wizkid, who in 2022 became the first Nigerian male artist to hit the same milestone with his feature on Drake’s “One Dance,” certified Diamond by the RIAA.
With multiple accolades including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, a Soul Train Award, and a Grammy, Tems continues to redefine what is possible for African female artists on the global stage.
