Tems Sets New Record as Africa’s Highest-Selling Female Music Star

Award-winning Nigerian music sensation Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the highest-selling female African artist of all time.

Since officially stepping into the music scene in 2018, Tems has consistently captivated the global audience with her soulful voice, unique sound, and genre-blending style. According to verified music chart tracking data, she has now outpaced iconic African female artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Tiwa Savage, and Yemi Alade in terms of global commercial success.

Over 25 Million Records Sold Worldwide

As of the most recent global sales reports, the Grammy Award-winning artist has amassed over 25 million certified units sold across various countries. This includes her solo projects as well as notable international collaborations.

Tems’ standout contributions to music have earned her several prestigious certifications, especially in the United States, including:

• “Essence” (with Wizkid) – 5x Platinum (over 5 million units sold)
• “Wait For U” (with Future and Drake) – 3x Platinum (3 million units)
• “Free Mind” – 2x Platinum (2 million units)
• “Higher” – Platinum (1 million units)

Beyond the U.S., she also holds numerous Platinum and Gold certifications in major music markets such as:

• The United Kingdom
• Canada
• France
• Australia
• Belgium
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• New Zealand

This record-breaking feat places her in a league of her own and highlights the growing global acceptance and dominance of Afro-fusion and Afrobeats music, especially from Nigerian artists.

Comparison With Other Top African Musicians

While Tems has earned the title of Africa’s most successful female artist in terms of sales, Cheb Khaled from Algeria still holds the overall title for the highest-selling African musician, with over 81 million units sold globally. He is closely followed by Nigerian Afrobeats icon Wizkid, who has recorded an impressive 75 million units in global sales.

These figures underscore the exponential growth of African music on the world stage, with artists like Tems breaking through boundaries that were once considered unattainable for talents from the continent.