Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, 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, represents a significant achievement in her global career.
Tems has also become the first African female artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify, further cementing her influence on the international music scene.
The singer rose to global prominence in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and received multiple Grammy nominations. She began her music career in 2018 with the debut single “Mr Rebel.”
Following a recent performance in Kenya, Tems expressed her gratitude to fans, posting on X: “Kenya! The love has been insane! I love you so much. Till next time.” She is currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which runs from September 28 to 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 reach the 10 million sales milestone, with his feature on Drake’s “One Dance” certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2022.
Tems’ latest achievement reinforces her status as a trailblazer for African female artists in the global music industry, adding to her growing list of accolades, which includes BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.
