Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Tems has reached another major career milestone, becoming the first African female artist to earn a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond-certified single in the United States. The achievement comes through her collaboration with Future and Drake on the hit song “Wait For U.”
The RIAA awards Diamond certification to singles that surpass 10 million certified units in the United States, including sales and streaming equivalents. According to music industry tracking data, Wait For U has now exceeded 11 million certified units, earning the prestigious distinction.
The accomplishment marks another landmark moment in Tems’ international career, reinforcing her status as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary artists. Since her global breakthrough, the Nigerian singer has earned multiple Grammy Awards, collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, and continued to expand the global reach of Afrobeats and African music.
With the certification, Tems joins Wizkid as one of the few African artists to achieve an RIAA Diamond-certified single in the United States. The milestone also reflects the growing commercial success and worldwide appeal of African artists in one of the world’s largest music markets.
Fans and industry figures have celebrated the achievement as another defining moment for Nigerian music, describing it as evidence of the increasing global influence of African talent. The recognition is expected to further inspire a new generation of artists seeking to make their mark on the international stage.