Tems Becomes First Female African Artiste to Earn Diamond Single in US

Nigerian star Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has set a new milestone in global music, becoming the first female African artiste to earn a Diamond single in the United States. The achievement comes from her smash collaboration “Wait For U” with American rapper Future and Canadian superstar Drake, which has now sold well over 10 million units in the US market.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recently certified “Wait For U” Diamond, the highest level of single certification in the US and a rare honour reserved for tracks that reach or surpass the 10‑million‑unit threshold. Industry monitoring platform Chart Data had earlier confirmed that the song had exceeded 11 million units in the US, making it eligible for the prestigious plaque and cementing Tems’ status as one of the most commercially successful African artists of her generation.

With this feat, Tems joins Wizkid as the only African artists to have a Diamond single in the United States, both through blockbuster collaborations with Drake. Wizkid first reached the milestone via “One Dance,” Drake’s 2016 global hit, while Tems has now written her name into the record books with “Wait For U,” which blends Future’s melodic rap with Drake’s verse and Tems’ sampled vocals.

The Diamond certification caps a remarkable run for “Wait For U.” Upon release, the track debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tems the first African female artist to appear at the very top of the chart. The song went on to earn multiple Platinum certifications, win the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance and become one of the defining crossover hits of the early 2020s, further propelling Afrobeats and African R&B into mainstream US playlists.

Tems’ success with “Wait For U” builds on earlier achievements in the American market. Her solo song “Free Mind” has already been certified Platinum by the RIAA, while “Higher” has earned Gold status, making her the first African woman to secure a solo Platinum single in the US. In addition, her contributions to Wizkid’s “Essence” and other collaborations have accumulated multiple US certifications, positioning her as the most‑certified African female artist in that market.

Beyond sales and certifications, Tems has received major industry recognition. She has been honoured with a Billboard Diamond Award and celebrated at global music events as a leading voice in contemporary African music. Her career trajectory—from Lagos‑based singer‑songwriter to Grammy‑winning, Diamond‑certified global act—illustrates how African artists are increasingly shaping the sound of international pop and hip‑hop.

For many fans and observers, the Diamond milestone is especially significant because it comes through a collaboration that still foregrounds Tems’ distinctive voice and songwriting. “Wait For U” builds on a sample from her song “Higher,” meaning the track’s core emotional texture originates from her own work, even as it travels through Future and Drake’s world. That creative loop—African artistry embedded inside a major US hit—captures the new balance of influence in global music.

Tems’ achievement also opens the door for more African women to aim for similar heights. As the first female African artiste to earn a US Diamond single, she has set a benchmark that underscores both the opportunities and the challenges of breaking into the world’s biggest music market. For now, the record is clear: with “Wait For U,” Tems has crossed a threshold only a small group of artists ever reach, and in doing so, has taken African music one step further into the centre of global pop culture.