- Tems Becomes First Nigerian Female Artist to Sell 10 Million Units in U.S
- First African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify
- Wizkid previously reached the same milestone as the first Nigerian male artist
Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has set a new record by becoming the first female Nigerian artist to sell over 10 million units of a single in the United States.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the feat was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by Chart Data, which announced on its official X handle that “WAIT FOR U” her global hit collaboration with Future and Drake had crossed the 10 million sales threshold.
The track, which previously won a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, remains one of her most defining career moments.
Tems has continued to break barriers internationally. Earlier this year, she became the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, highlighting her strong presence on the global music scene.
Her career breakthrough came in 2020 after her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” earned worldwide recognition, multiple Grammy nominations, and a spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Since her 2018 debut single “Mr Rebel,” she has steadily built a reputation as one of Africa’s most influential music exports.
Currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, Tems has performed in Nairobi, Kenya, where she thanked fans for their overwhelming support. The tour will also take her to Salvador in Brazil, Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium, and several other international cities.
While Wizkid previously reached the same milestone as the first Nigerian male artist with his feature on Drake’s “One Dance,” Tems’ achievement cements her legacy as a trailblazer for African women in global music.
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