Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has made history by becoming the first African female artiste to earn a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond certified single in the United States.
The remarkable achievement further cements Tems’ place among the biggest global music stars and marks another major milestone for Afrobeats on the international stage.
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She reached the historic feat through “Wait For U,” her collaboration with American rapper Future and Canadian superstar Drake, after the song surpassed 11 million certified units sold in the United States.
The RIAA officially upgraded the song’s certification to 11-times Platinum on July 16, qualifying it for Diamond status under the association’s certification standards.
You can view official music certifications on the RIAA official website.
Tems becomes the first African female artiste to achieve Diamond status
The new certification places Tems in a league of her own.
She is now the first African female musician to achieve an RIAA Diamond certified single in the United States, one of the music industry’s most prestigious commercial milestones.
The certification represents more than 11 million certified units, combining music sales and streaming equivalents across the American market.
The achievement highlights Tems’ growing influence far beyond Africa and demonstrates the increasing global appeal of Afrobeats.
Chart Data confirms the milestone
The achievement was first announced by music analytics platform Chart Data, which shared the update on X (formerly Twitter).
According to the platform:
“US Certifications (RIAA): Future featuring Drake & Tems — WAIT FOR U — 11x Platinum (11,000,000).”
The announcement quickly went viral as fans, fellow artistes and entertainment personalities congratulated the Nigerian singer for reaching another historic milestone.
Only Wizkid had previously achieved the feat
Tems also becomes only the second African artiste ever to earn an RIAA Diamond certified single.
The first was fellow Nigerian superstar Wizkid, whose collaboration with Drake on “One Dance” received Diamond certification in 2022.
With the latest achievement, Nigeria now boasts the only two African artistes to have reached this prestigious commercial milestone in the United States.
The accomplishment further strengthens Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading exporters of global music talent.
The success story behind ‘Wait For U’
Released in April 2022, “Wait For U” served as one of the lead singles from Future’s album I Never Liked You.
The song samples Tems’ 2020 single “Higher,” introducing elements of her original vocals into the collaborative track.
Upon release, the song enjoyed immediate commercial success.
It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tems the first African female artiste in history to top America’s biggest music chart.
The song later earned the trio a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance during the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Its continued commercial success has now resulted in the prestigious Diamond certification.
A career filled with global milestones
Tems has steadily built one of the most impressive international careers by any African artiste in recent years.
After initially attracting worldwide attention through Wizkid’s “Essence,” she quickly established herself as a successful solo performer.
Some of her biggest songs include:
- Free Mind
- Me & U
- Love Me JeJe
- Higher
She has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in global music, including:
- Beyoncé
- Rihanna
- Drake
- Future
- Justin Bieber
These collaborations have helped expand both her international audience and the global reach of Nigerian music.
‘Born in the Wild’ strengthened her global status
In 2024, Tems released her debut studio album, Born in the Wild.
The project received critical acclaim and further established her as one of Africa’s leading contemporary artists.
The album showcased her unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, soul and alternative music, earning praise from both critics and fans worldwide.
Its success contributed significantly to her continued rise as one of the continent’s most influential musicians.
Fans celebrate another historic moment
Following news of the Diamond certification, congratulatory messages flooded social media platforms.
Many Nigerians described the achievement as another proud moment for the country’s music industry.
Others noted that Tems’ success demonstrates how African artists continue to break barriers and compete successfully on the world’s biggest music stages.
Industry observers also believe the milestone reflects the increasing acceptance and commercial power of Afrobeats within mainstream global music markets.
A landmark achievement for African music
Tems’ RIAA Diamond certification represents far more than a personal accomplishment.
It symbolises the continued international growth of African music and the expanding influence of Nigerian artistes across the global entertainment industry.
From becoming the first African female artiste to top the Billboard Hot 100 to now becoming the first African woman with an RIAA Diamond certified single, Tems continues to redefine what is possible for African musicians.
Her latest achievement not only strengthens her own legacy but also opens new doors for future generations of African artists aiming to leave their mark on the global music scene.
