Nigerian female superstar Tems has carved her name into the history books once again this time by smashing through a milestone no Nigerian woman in music had ever reached before.
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, it was officially confirmed that “Wait For U,” her global smash collaboration with Future and Drake, has sold over 10 million copies in the United States.
That staggering figure places the track in the rare territory often reserved for the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) coveted Diamond certification.
For Tems real name Temilade Openiyi this is more than just another feather in her cap. It’s proof of her unrivalled influence in the world’s biggest music market.
The song, which stormed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2022, had already made her the first African woman to sit on that throne.
It also secured her a Grammy win for Best Melodic Rap Performance, cementing her place among the greats.
But what makes this moment even bigger is how it underscores the global rise of African music.
From her breakout moment lending soul to Wizkid’s ‘Essence,’ to her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Born in the Wild,’ Tems has steadily evolved from Lagos newcomer to an international force rewriting the rulebook for Nigerian artists.
Her success isn’t just personal it’s symbolic. Every stream, every sale, every accolade pushes the global Afrobeats wave further into uncharted territory. And with Tems at the forefront, the future of African music looks brighter than ever.
🚨 Tems becomes the FIRST Nigerian female artist to have a single sell over 10 MILLION units in the US with “WAIT FOR U” 🔥👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/c3sunlCygY
— 𝗔𝗟𝗕𝗨𝗠 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 📀 (@AlbumTalksHQ) September 30, 2025