Tems Makes History as First Female African Artist With a U.S. Diamond-Certified Single
Tems has added yet another historic milestone to her rapidly growing legacy, becoming the first female African artist to earn a diamond-certified single in the United States.
The achievement comes through “WAIT FOR U”, Future’s chart-topping collaboration featuring Drake and Tems, which has now been certified 11× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The certification signifies more than 10 million units sold in the U.S., qualifying the record for the prestigious Diamond status.
Released in 2022, WAIT FOR U sampled Tems’ breakout song Higher and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making Tems the first African artist to debut atop the chart. The song would later earn the trio the Best Melodic Rap Performance award at the 65th Grammy Awards, further cementing its place as one of the defining records of the decade.
With the latest certification, Tems becomes the first female African artist to reach the Diamond milestone in the United States—a feat achieved by only a select number of global acts. The accomplishment also places her among the few African artists to have contributed to a Diamond-certified record, reflecting the continued rise of African music on the global stage.
The milestone has been widely celebrated across the music industry, with fans and publications hailing it as another landmark moment in Tems’ remarkable international journey. Since breaking into the mainstream with Essence and later WAIT FOR U, the Nigerian singer-songwriter has steadily built one of the most decorated careers of any African artist in recent years, collecting Grammy Awards, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, and chart records that continue to redefine what’s possible for artists from the continent.
While WAIT FOR U is a collaborative record led by Future alongside Drake and Tems, the RIAA’s certification recognizes all credited performers, officially making Tems the first female African artist attached to a U.S. Diamond-certified single.
As African music continues to expand its global footprint, Tems’ latest achievement serves as another reminder that the genre’s biggest milestones are no longer aspirations.
