Nigerian music star Temilade Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, has officially become the highest-selling female African artiste in history.
Since launching her career in 2018, the Grammy-winning singer has achieved global commercial success, surpassing well-established acts like Angelique Kidjo, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade in total sales.
Based on chart-certified data, Tems has sold more than 25 million units worldwide, making her the most commercially successful female artist from the continent.
Some of her biggest sales milestones include: Essence (with Wizkid) – 5x Platinum in the United States (5 million units), Wait For U (with Future and Drake) – 3x Platinum in the US (3 million units), Free Mind – 2x Platinum in the US (2 million units), Higher – Platinum in the US (1 million units).
In addition to her success in the U.S., Tems holds several Platinum and Gold certifications across other major markets including the UK, France, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Belgium, South Africa, and New Zealand.
On the overall African list, Algerian singer Cheb Khaled remains the continent’s top-selling artist with 81 million units sold globally, followed by Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Wizkid with 75 million units.
Confirming the feat on Friday, Africa Facts Zone wrote on X, “Tems
2-time Grammy winner
5 Billboard Hot 100 entries
First African to win 2 BET Awards in 1 night
Africa’s best selling female Artiste (25 million units)
Oscar and Golden Globe nominee
17.3 million Spotify Monthly Listeners
First African woman to have a US no. 1 hit.”
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