Tems Makes History As First Female Nigerian Artist To Sell 10m Units In US

Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems, whose full name is Temilade Openiyi, has become the first female Nigerian artist to achieve over 10 million single sales in the United States.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Chart Data confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that Tems’ collaborative hit with Future and Drake, “WAIT FOR U,” had officially surpassed 10 million sales in the United States.

The track, which also won Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, represents another significant milestone in her international career.

She further made history as the first African female artist to achieve over one billion streams on Spotify, highlighting her rising prominence on the international music stage.

Tems gained international fame in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence,” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and received multiple Grammy nominations. She started her music career in 2018 with the release of her debut single, “Mr Rebel.”

Following her recent performance in Kenya, Tems shared 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 kicked off on September 28 and will continue until November 15, with scheduled stops in cities such as Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), and Los Angeles, where she is set to perform at Dodger Stadium.

By contrast, Wizkid is the first Nigerian male artist to achieve this milestone. In 2022, his feature on Drake’s “One Dance” was certified Diamond by the RIAA after surpassing 10 million units sold in the US.

Tems’ latest achievement solidifies her position as a trailblazer for African female artists in the global music industry, adding to her collection of accolades, which includes BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.