Tems Makes History as First Nigerian Woman to Sell Over 10 Million Units in the US

Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has achieved a significant milestone in the global music industry. She has become the first female Nigerian artist to sell over 10 million units in the United States with her single “Wait For U.”

The hit song, featuring American rapper Future and Canadian superstar Drake, has now achieved the rare milestone of Diamond status in the US. This makes Tems not only the first Nigerian woman but also one of the very few African artists to achieve such a feat.

“Wait For U” was first released in 2022 and quickly became an international anthem. Tems’ soulful voice carried the chorus, giving the track its emotional depth. The song went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance in 2023, further cementing Tems’ place on the world stage.

Born in Lagos in 1995, Tems has risen from making independent music to collaborating with some of the biggest names in the world. From lending her voice to Wizkid’s global hit “Essence” to being featured on Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance,” she has become one of Africa’s most recognised voices in less than a decade.

She has also resorted to giving back to society. The artist has recently announced the launch of the Leading Vibe Initiative, a new initiative created to support young African women working in the music industry. The goal is simple yet powerful: to give women access to creative and professional tools that they previously had to find independently.

With this new milestone, Tems joins a tiny group of African artists whose songs have reached such commercial success in the United States.

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Chinalurumogu Eze

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