Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has made history as the first female Nigerian artist to surpass 10 million units in music sales in the United States. The milestone was confirmed on Tuesday by Chart Data via X (formerly Twitter), marking a major achievement in her already impressive global career.
The record-breaking sales were largely driven by her hit collaboration “Wait for U” with American rappers Future and Drake. The track not only earned her a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance but also contributed significantly to her growing influence on the international stage.
Tems continues to break boundaries for African artists. She was previously celebrated as the first African female artist to cross one billion streams on Spotify, solidifying her position as one of the continent’s most successful music exports.Her global rise began with her standout feature on Wizkid’s “Essence,” which became a cultural phenomenon and the first Nigerian song to break into the Billboard Hot 100, earning multiple Grammy nominations in the process.
Since then, Tems has collected several major awards, including BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Soul Train Music Award, further establishing her presence in the global music scene.
Currently on her 2025–2026 world tour, Tems is performing in key cities across the globe, including Nairobi, Salvador (Brazil), and Los Angeles, where she is set to headline at the iconic Dodger Stadium.With this latest milestone, Tems continues to pave the way for African women in music, proving that her sound resonates far beyond borders.
