Tems becomes first African female artist to clinch Diamond single in US
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- Nigerian singer Tems achieved a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond-certified single in the US for her collaboration "Wait For U."
- The song, featuring Drake and Future, surpassed 11 million certified units, making Tems the first African female artist to reach this milestone.
- This achievement highlights the growing global recognition of Nigerian music and Afrobeats on the international stage.
Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Tems has made history by becoming the first African female musician to earn a Diamond-certified single in the United States. Her collaboration with Future and Drake, titled "Wait For U," has officially surpassed 10 million certified units in the U.S., according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Global music monitoring platform Chart Data confirmed the song's success, noting it has sold over 11 million units. This milestone places Tems alongside Wizkid as the only African artists to achieve a Diamond single in the U.S. Wizkid previously earned this certification for his feature on Drake's "One Dance."
US Certifications (@RIAA): Future (@1future) Feat. @Drake & @temsbaby, WAIT FOR U 11x Platinum (11,000,000)
Tems' distinctive vocals and songwriting have propelled her international career, marked by multiple Grammy Awards and nominations. Her success with "Wait For U" further underscores the increasing global acceptance and influence of Afrobeats, particularly from Nigerian artists. Fans celebrated the achievement online, viewing it as a proud moment for Nigeria and the broader African music industry.
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Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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