Tems Makes History as First Female African Artist to Sell 10 Million Units in the U.S.

|By Oko-Echem

Nigerian global star Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has etched her name in music history by becoming the first female African artist to sell over 10 million units in the United States.

Her collaborative smash hit with Future and Drake, Wait For U, recently crossed the 10 million sales mark in the U.S., according to chart-monitoring platform Chart Data. The milestone makes the track eligible for the prestigious RIAA Diamond certification.

Tems joins fellow Nigerian superstar Wizkid as only the second African artist to reach this feat, after his collaboration with Drake on One Dance earned the same recognition.

With this achievement, the Love Me Jeje crooner cements her status as the best-selling female African artist in the U.S.. Beyond Wait For U, her chart-topping records like Essence, Free Mind, Higher, Me & U, and Found have all earned multiple Platinum, Platinum, and Gold certifications.

This milestone underscores Tems’ meteoric rise and lasting impact on the global music scene, further solidifying her place as one of Africa’s most powerful voices on the world stage.