Nigeria: Tems becomes first African female artist to earn RIAA Diamond-certified single

The certification was awarded for ‘Wait For U’, Future’s collaboration featuring Tems and Canadian rapper Drake. The song has surpassed 10 million certified units in the US, meeting the threshold for an RIAA Diamond certification.

According to music analytics platform Chart Data, the single has now reached 11 million certified units in the US. In a post on X, the platform stated: "US Certifications (@RIAA): Future (@1future) Feat. @Drake & @temsbaby, WAIT FOR U 11x Platinum (11,000,000)."

An RIAA Diamond certification is awarded to singles or albums that achieve at least 10 million certified units through combined sales and eligible streaming activity in the United States.

The milestone makes Tems only the second African artist to earn an RIAA Diamond-certified single. Nigerian artist Wizkid was the first, receiving the certification for his contribution to Drake's One Dance.

Released in 2022, ‘Wait For U’ samples Tems’ song ‘Higher’ and went on to top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The track also won the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

The achievement adds to a series of international milestones for Tems, who has emerged as one of Africa’s most prominent global music exports. Since gaining international recognition, she has collaborated with several high-profile artists and received multiple Grammy Awards and nominations.

The certification also reflects the continued global commercial success of Nigerian music and the growing international reach of Afrobeats and related genres.

Following the announcement, fans and industry observers took to social media to congratulate the singer, with many describing the achievement as another landmark moment for Nigerian music and African artists on the global stage.