Tems Makes History With Diamond Single

Tems Makes History as the First Female African Artiste to Score a Diamond Single in the US!

Lagos, Nigeria – In a monumental feat for African music, global superstar Tems (Temilade Openiyi) has officially shattered records by becoming the first female African artist to earn a RIAA Diamond certification in the United States.

Her mega-collaborative hit “Wait For U,” alongside American rap heavyweights Future and Drake, was recently certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This means the track has cleared the staggering milestone of selling over 10 million units in the U.S. alone.

The Receipts: 11 Million Units and Counting

According to global music monitoring powerhouse Chart Data, the song hasn't just crossed the Diamond threshold—it is leaving it in the dust. The platform took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the official breakdown:

🇺🇸 US Certifications (@RIAA): Future (@1future) Feat. @Drake & @temsbaby, WAIT FOR U 11x Platinum (11,000,000).

With this 11x Platinum update, Tems now pulls up to a highly exclusive table, joining Wizkid as the only African artistes in history to achieve an RIAA Diamond single. Wizkid famously became the first African artist to crack the Diamond ceiling through his vocals on Drake’s 2016 timeless global anthem, "One Dance."

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🦅 Artist Biography: The Meteoric Rise of Temilade Openiyi

To fully appreciate this history-making moment, you have to look at the journey of the woman behind the "Leading Vibe."

Early Life & Finding Her Voice

Born on June 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Nigerian mother and a British-Nigerian father, Temilade Openiyi's early years saw her briefly relocate to the UK before returning to Lagos at age five following her parents’ divorce.

Growing up was not a walk in the park. As a young girl attending Dowen College in Lekki, Tems was frequently bullied because of her distinct, deep voice. Feeling out of place, she spent hours hiding away in her school's music room. It was there that a music teacher noticed her unique raw talent, coached her, and helped her embrace the very voice the world now commands millions for.

Quitting the 9-to-5 for the "Rebel Gang"

After studying Economics at Monash University in South Africa, Tems returned to Nigeria and took up a regular corporate job in digital marketing. But the music kept calling. In 2018, fueled by a deep sense of purpose, she made the terrifying decision to quit her 9-to-5.

Lacking a producer, she sat down on YouTube and taught herself how to produce beats. On July 18, 2018, she released her self-produced debut single, "Mr Rebel." A year later, her breakout single "Try Me" shook the Nigerian alternative scene, officially birthing her loyal fanbase, the "Rebel Gang."

The Global Takeover

Tems’ trajectory went into hyper-drive in 2020 when she lent her ethereal vocals to Wizkid’s smash hit "Essence." The song became the undisputed summer anthem worldwide, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her a Grammy nomination.

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International acts immediately queued up to work with her. Drake tapped her for "Fountains" on his Certified Lover Boy album, and Future sampled her vocals from her song "Higher" to create "Wait For U." The track debuted straight at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, instantly making Tems the first African female artist to top the chart.

Today, she sits pretty with multiple Grammy Awards, BET Awards, Oscar nominations, and a critically acclaimed debut studio album, Born in the Wild. From a bullied schoolgirl in Lagos to an international Diamond-certified icon, Tems is proof that sticking to your unique sound can conquer the world.

Entertainment news report by Gossiphome TV.