Tems Becomes First Female Nigerian Artist To Sell 10 Million Singles In US

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

On September 30, 2025, Chart Data on X (formerly Twitter) confirmed that “WAIT FOR U,” her collaboration with Future and Drake, had officially surpassed the 10 million sales milestone in the US. The song, which also won Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, represents a major leap in her international career.

Tems is also the first African female artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify, cementing her influence on the global music scene. She gained worldwide recognition in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence,” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Her career began in 2018 with the release of her debut single “Mr Rebel.”

After her performance in Kenya, Tems took to X to express her gratitude: “Kenya! The love has been insane! I love you so much. Till next time.” She is currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which started on September 28 and will run through November 15, with stops in Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), and Los Angeles, where she will perform at Dodger Stadium.

In comparison, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to reach 10 million sales, with his feature on Drake’s “One Dance” certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2022.

Tems’ latest milestone reinforces her role as a trailblazer for African female artists on the global stage, adding to her growing list of accolades, including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.