Singer, Tems, has become the first female Nigerian artist to achieve over 10 million single sales in the United States
On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Chart Data on X confirmed that “WAIT FOR U,” her collaboration with Future and Drake, had officially surpassed the 10 million sales mark in the US.
The track, which also earned Tems a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance, marks a major milestone in her international career.
Tems is also the first African female artist to reach one billion streams on Spotify, further solidifying her influence on the global music stage. She rose to worldwide fame in 2020 after featuring on Wizkid’s hit single “Essence,” which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multiple Grammy nominations. She launched her career in 2018 with her debut single “Mr Rebel.”
After performing in Kenya, Tems shared on X: “Kenya! The love has been insane! I love you so much. Till next time.” She is currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, which began on September 28 and continues 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 the 10 million mark, with his feature on Drake’s “One Dance” certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2022.
Tems’ latest achievement reinforces her status as a trailblazer for African female artists in the global music industry, adding to her collection of accolades, including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award.
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