Nigerian global music sensation, Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, has officially cemented her name in African music history. The Grammy-winning singer is now the best-selling female African artist, a remarkable milestone that places her ahead of iconic trailblazers like Angelique Kidjo, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade.
The announcement is based on updated global charts and certification data, which show that Tems has sold over 25 million units worldwide, a staggering feat for an artist who only began her mainstream journey in 2018.
Tems’ commercial success has been driven by her unique voice, genre-bending sound, and record-breaking collaborations. Some of her most notable certifications include:
‘Essence’ (with Wizkid) – 5× Platinum in the USA (5 million units)
‘Wait For U’ (with Future & Drake) – 3× Platinum in the USA (3 million units)
‘Free Mind’ – 2× Platinum in the USA (2 million units)
‘Higher’ – Platinum in the USA (1 million units)
Beyond the U.S., the Afrobeats-R&B fusionist has racked up an impressive number of certifications in countries like the UK, Canada, France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, and South Africa, reinforcing her global appeal and cross-cultural resonance.
Her rise marks a new chapter for African female artists on the world stage, and it signals a shift in the global music ecosystem where African women are not just part of the conversation, they’re leading it.
Tems’ soulful yet edgy artistry, which first turned heads with her 2020 hit Try Me, has evolved into a formidable global brand. From scoring her first Billboard Hot 100 entries to sharing credits with Drake, Beyoncé, and Rihanna, her trajectory has been nothing short of phenomenal.
While Tems now holds the crown for best-selling African female artist, Algerian music legend Cheb Khaled remains Africa’s overall top-selling artist with 81 million units, followed closely by Nigerian superstar Wizkid with 75 million units.
Still, Tems’ new record is groundbreaking. It not only highlights her personal achievements but also represents a win for the entire African music community, especially for women who continue to break boundaries in a male-dominated industry.
