Nigerian R&B sensation Tems is riding an unstoppable wave of success as she adds new RIAA certifications to her growing list of achievements.
The multi-talented artist, one of Africa’s most prominent music exports, is celebrating yet another milestone in her flourishing career.
Her breakout single, ‘Free Mind’, has officially been certified 2X platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after surpassing 2 million units in sales.
The track, which peaked at No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent an impressive 26 weeks on the chart, has become a global anthem, further solidifying Tems’ place in the international music scene.
In addition to ‘Free Mind’, Tems’ track ‘Higher’ from her debut EP, ‘For Broken Ears’, has also reached platinum status, marking another significant achievement for the singer.
The EP, widely praised for its soulful and introspective sound, resonates with fans worldwide. Tems’ collaborative efforts have also earned her recognition.
The RIAA has certified both her hit single ‘Found’, featuring Brent Faiyaz, and her BET-winning track ‘Me & U’ from her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’ as gold.
These accolades highlight her versatility and ability to create music transcending genres and borders.
The year 2025 has already proven to be monumental for Tems. She made history at the 67th Grammy Awards by becoming the first Nigerian artist to win the Best African Music Performance category, securing her second Grammy award.
This win underscores not only her talent but also her role as a trailblazer for African music on the global stage.
Tems also achieved several other groundbreaking milestones at the Grammys.
She became the first Nigerian female artist to be nominated in the Best Global Album category and the first Nigerian artist to earn a nomination in the R&B category, where she was shortlisted for Best R&B Song.
Following a stellar 2024, which saw the release of her debut album ‘Born In The Wild’, and a sold-out world tour across Europe and North America, Tems shows no signs of slowing down.
Her unique sound, coupled with her ability to connect with audiences worldwide, has made her one of the most influential artists of her generation.
As 2025 unfolds, Tems continues to break barriers and set new standards for African artists in the global music industry.
With her unwavering dedication and exceptional talent, the two-time Grammy winner is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.
Pheelz Earns Certification as Tems in the United States
Nigerian music star, Pheelz achieved a career milestone as his 2022 hit single ‘Finesse’ featuring BNXN received a Gold certification in the United States from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
This marks Pheelz’s first Gold certification in America where ‘Finesse’ enjoyed commercial success marked by entries on the Billboard Global 200 and US Afrobeats Songs charts.
Released on March 3, 2022, ‘Finesse’ became an instant sensation, fueled by its infectious melodies, catchy lyrics, and a TikTok snippet that birthed the #FolakeChallenge.
The track, produced by Miichkel became Pheelz’s biggest crossover hit with over 180 million streams on Spotify alone. He also performed it at the Red Carpet of the 2022 BET Awards.
‘Finesse’ is one of the songs on his 2023 EP ‘Pheelz Good’ spawned the hit songs ‘Electricity’ featuring Davido and ‘Stand By You’.
Since he kicked off his career as an artist after producing hits for Olamide, FireboyDML, and Davido, Pheelz has become one of Afrobeats’ most consistent hitmakers.
2024 was another eventful year for Pheelz who released the second installment of his ‘Pheelz Good’ EP. He also wrote, produced, and featured on Usher’s ‘Ruin’ which earned him a nomination for Best Afrobeats at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
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