Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has achieved another groundbreaking milestone on the global stage. The star, born Temilade Openiyi, has become the first female Nigerian artist to sell over 10 million units of a single in the United States. The record-breaking feat was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by Chart Data on X (formerly Twitter). The report revealed that “WAIT FOR U,” her hit collaboration with Future and Drake, officially crossed the 10 million sales mark.

The song, released in 2022, also earned Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, making her one of the few Nigerian artists with a Grammy win. This achievement marks another defining moment in her career and highlights her continued global dominance.

Tems has also made history as the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. Her rise to international fame began in 2020 when she featured on Wizkid’s global hit “Essence.” The song broke into the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. She had earlier launched her career in 2018 with her debut single “Mr Rebel,” which introduced her unique sound to Nigerian music fans.

Her influence has only grown since then. Tems is currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which kicked off on September 28. The tour features stops in major cities, including Nairobi, Salvador in Brazil, and Los Angeles, where she is set to perform at the iconic Dodger Stadium. Recently, after her performance in Kenya, she shared her gratitude with fans, writing, “Kenya! The love has been insane! I love you so much. Till next time.”

In comparison, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to reach the same milestone with his feature on Drake’s “One Dance,” certified Diamond in 2022. Tems’ latest record cements her as a trailblazer for African women in music and a symbol of global recognition for Nigerian talent.

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