Two-Time Grammy Winner Tems Adds More RIAA Certifications to Her Legacy

Ikenna ChurchillFebruary 8, 20252 Mins read322

Tems holding her Grammy award while wearing a Robert Wun Couture black and gold dress

Two-time Grammy winner Tems continues to soar, adding several RIAA certifications to her growing list of accomplishments as she cements her status as one of Africa’s most successful musical exports.

This, her breakout hit, ‘Free Mind’, has just been certified 2X Platinum in the United States, meaning it has moved over two million units in sales. As part of her debut EP, For Broken Ears, the song was a sleeper hit, picking up steam after time and managing an impressive 26-week run on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 46.

Another fan favourite off the same EP, ‘Higher’, also sees a Platinum certification, while it makes a total sale of well over one million units. This cap is what For Broken Ears- also Tems’s introduction of the vocal soul to songwriting- actually is in making: a lingering memory.

Adding to the milestone, two more cuts from Tems’ growing discography got certified Gold by the RIAA. ‘Found’, her smooth collaboration with R&B star Brent Faiyaz, and ‘Me & U’, the emotively-driven lead single off her critically acclaimed album Born in the Wild, now count over 500,000 units sold in the United States.

Tems began 2025 on a high after an eventful night at the 67th Grammy Awards, bringing home her second Grammy. She made history as the first winner of the Best African Music Performance category, introduced for her song ‘Love Me JeJe’.

Her presence at this year’s Grammys was historic in more ways than one: Tems became the first Nigerian female artist to be nominated in the Best Global Music Album category for Born in the Wild, and she became the first Nigerian artist to be nominated in the Best R&B Song category, competing in the category for her song ‘Burning’.

Tems has risen meteorically, becoming nothing short of spectacular. In 2024, she delivered her much-anticipated debut LP, Born in the Wild, which received widespread critical acclaim. The project highlighted the artist’s development by seamlessly blending Afrobeats, R&B, and alternative influences into a cohesive sound that fans around the world.

Since her album release, she has been on a world tour, selling out concerts throughout Europe and North America, positioning herself as an international phenomenon.

With several RIAA certifications, back-to-back Grammy wins, and an ever-growing international fan base, 2025 will be another landmark year for Tems. She continues to push the boundaries of creativity and elevate African music to the global stage; undeniably, her influence will continue to grow.