Tems Becomes First Nigerian Female Artist to Sell Over 10m Units in US

By Sunday Ameh

Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has made history as the first female Nigerian artist to sell over 10 million units of a single in the United States.

The milestone was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by global music tracker Chart Data, which announced that “WAIT FOR U”, her Grammy-winning collaboration with Future and Drake, had officially surpassed the 10 million sales mark in the US.

The hit track, which earned Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, also marked a defining moment in her global career, cementing her status as one of Africa’s most successful exports.

In addition, Tems recently became the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, reinforcing her dominance on the international stage.

Tems first rose to prominence in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s global hit “Essence”, which broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. She began her career in 2018 with her debut single “Mr Rebel.”

Currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, Tems has already performed in Nairobi, with upcoming shows in Brazil and the United States, including a major performance at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.

While Wizkid was the first Nigerian male artist to achieve Diamond certification in the US with Drake’s “One Dance” in 2022, Tems’ new record marks a historic breakthrough for Nigerian female artists.

With multiple international awards, including BET, NAACP Image, and Soul Train honors, Tems continues to blaze a trail for African women in music.