LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, became the first African female artist to earn a Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Diamond certification in the United States on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Golden Info reports that the global music monitoring platform Chart Data announced the certification after the track “Wait For U,” a collaboration with American rapper Future and Canadian rapper Drake, surpassed 10 million certified units.
Chart Data published the sales data on its X account, stating, “US Certifications (@RIAA): Future (@1future) Feat. @Drake & @temsbaby, WAIT FOR U 11x Platinum (11,000,000) ”.
Reports has it that Openiyi joins Nigerian singer Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid, as the only African artists to hold a Diamond single in the United States.
Balogun previously received the RIAA Diamond certification for his feature on the track “One Dance” alongside Drake.
Openiyi has won multiple Grammy Awards and received nominations for several international music honours throughout her recording career.