In a historic moment for the Nigerian music industry, Grammy-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, globally known as Tems, has become the first female African artist to achieve a Diamond-certified single in the United States.
The milestone was confirmed following the latest certification update from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on July 16, 2026. The track, “Wait For U”—a monumental collaboration between American rapper Future, Canadian superstar Drake, and Tems—was officially certified 11-times Platinum. This designation signifies that the song has surpassed 11 million certified units in the U.S. market, comfortably clearing the 10-million-unit threshold required for Diamond status.
A Career-Defining Achievement
Released on April 29, 2022, “Wait For U” has been a consistent force on the international charts. Upon its debut, the song soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and later secured the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance. The track is particularly noted for sampling Tems’ own 2020 breakout single, “Higher,” a testament to her creative influence and songwriting prowess.
With this achievement, Tems joins an elite group of African performers to reach this commercial peak in America. She is the second African artist to ever earn a Diamond single, following the groundbreaking success of Wizkid, who achieved the feat through his collaboration with Drake on the global hit “One Dance.”
Sustained Global Dominance
This Diamond plaque is the latest in a series of international accolades for the “Love is a Kingdom” singer. Her 2026 campaign has been marked by a flurry of RIAA certifications for her own solo catalogue, including “Found” (featuring Brent Faiyaz), “Me & U,” “Higher,” and “Free Mind.”
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Industry experts view this milestone as a significant marker of the rapid global expansion of Afrobeats. Tems’ ability to maintain a consistent presence on both the Billboard charts and the awards circuit—bolstered by her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations—has cemented her status as a leading figure in contemporary music. As she continues to build one of the most decorated catalogues of any Nigerian artist in the U.S., this Diamond certification stands as the most significant commercial summit of her career to date.
