Renowned Nigerian artist Tems has spoken candidly about the deep-rooted gender bias in the music industry, stating that women often don’t receive the respect they deserve. In a recent interview with BBC Africa, the Grammy-winning singer shared how she personally navigated a male-dominated landscape and recognized the unseen “costs” she simply refused to pay just to get ahead. Tems emphasized that, as a woman who understands these challenges intimately, she’s uniquely positioned to drive change.
This revelation comes amid the rollout of her new initiative, Leading Vibe. Launched earlier this year, the platform aims to empower women in music, including singers, songwriters, producers, and sound engineers, by offering mentoring, access to production tools, and immersive learning events. Tems unveiled the project’s pilot in Lagos, featuring workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, specifically designed to foster professional growth for young female creatives.
Tems’s words echo a worrying industry-wide reality. Across global and Nigerian music scenes alike, women remain underrepresented and often face structural barriers. Reports cite that only about 22% of global artists are female, with lower percentages in songwriting and production roles. This systemic gap underscores why initiatives led by empowered women, such as Tems’s Leading Vibe, are so critical to cultivating a more inclusive future.
