Tems makes history as first Nigerian female artist to sell over 10m units in US

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

The feat was confirmed on Tuesday by Chart Data on X, which announced that “WAIT FOR U,” Tems’ collaborative hit with American stars Future and Drake, had officially crossed the 10 million sales mark in the US.

The track, which won a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, adds to her growing list of international achievements. Tems had earlier become the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, underlining her dominance on the global stage. 

Rising to international prominence after featuring on Wizkid’s “Essence” in 2020, Tems has since established herself as one of Africa’s most influential voices. 

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She began her career in 2018 with her debut single “Mr Rebel” and has since earned multiple accolades, including BET Awards and NAACP Image Awards.

Currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which began on September 28, Tems is performing across cities such as Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), and Los Angeles, where she will headline at Dodger Stadium.

Her record-breaking achievement follows Wizkid’s, who remains the first Nigerian male artist to hit the milestone when his feature on Drake’s “One Dance” was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2022.

Tems’ latest triumph cements her status as a trailblazer for African women in music, inspiring a new generation of artists and further solidifying Nigeria’s global presence in the entertainment industry.

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