Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has made history as the first African female artist to receive a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond-certified single in the United States.
She reached the milestone with “Wait For U,” her hit collaboration with American rapper Future and Canadian rapper Drake, after the song crossed 10 million certified units in the US.
Music tracking platform Chart Data shared the update on its X page, revealing that the song has now sold more than 11 million units in the United States.
The platform wrote: “US Certifications (@RIAA): Future (@1future) Feat. @Drake & @temsbaby, WAIT FOR U 11x Platinum (11,000,000)”.
With the achievement, Tems joins Wizkid as the only African artists to earn a Diamond-certified single in the US.
Wizkid became the first African artist to receive an RIAA Diamond Certification through his collaboration with Drake on ‘One Dance.’
The latest feat adds another big moment to Tems’ international career and highlights the rising global success of Nigerian music.
The “Love is a Kingdom” crooner has continued to reach new heights on the world stage since gaining international attention for her unique voice and songwriting.
She has won multiple Grammy Awards, earned nominations for several international music honours, and worked with some of the biggest names in global music.
Fans have flooded social media to celebrate the achievement, calling it another proud moment for Nigeria and the African music industry.
Many also said the success shows the growing worldwide acceptance of Afrobeats and the rising influence of Nigerian artistes on the global stage.
