Nigerian Afropop superstar Tems has spoken candidly about the challenges women face in the male-dominated music industry, revealing that “people don’t really respect women” in her field. The two-time Grammy Award-winning artist told the BBC that early in her career, she struggled to be taken seriously and refused to conform to pressures that conflicted with her values. “I realised that there’s always a cost. There’s always a price that you pay. And a lot of those prices I wasn’t willing to pay and there weren’t a lot of options,” she said.
Despite Afropop’s explosive global rise over the past decade, with male stars like Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid dominating headlines, female artists still face significant barriers. Tems, alongside trailblazers like Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, has been vocal about the gender inequality that persists in the industry. Earlier this year, she hit back at negative comments about her body after a performance clip went viral on social media platform X, responding that she has never felt the need to prove anything about her appearance and that criticism only motivates her further.
Determined to shift perceptions and create opportunities, Tems has launched The Leading Vibe Initiative, a platform aimed at supporting young women in Africa’s music industries. The project officially began in her hometown of Lagos with a series of workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions for vocalists, producers, and songwriters to develop their skills and expand their networks. Tems explained her motivation: “I promised myself that if I get to a place where I can do more, I will make this initiative for women like me and maybe make it easier for women to access platforms, a wider audience, and success.”
When asked what advice she would give to aspiring female musicians, Tems emphasised self-awareness and integrity: “It’s important to have an idea of what you want for yourself, what your brand is, and what your boundaries are. What are the things you wouldn’t do for fame and the things you would do?” She also stressed the importance of passion, saying she would still be making music even without fame—perhaps performing in a small jazz club on a Friday night.
Since her debut EP five years ago, Tems has achieved international acclaim, collaborating with Beyoncé and Rihanna, earning more than 17 million monthly Spotify listeners, headlining global festivals, and preparing to support British band Coldplay during their sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium next month. She attributes her success to staying “authentic” and “audacious,” even when turning down label offers that asked her to change her sound or style.
Tems’ ambitions extend beyond music. A passionate football fan, she recently became part-owner of US football club San Diego FC through a partnership with Pave Investments, which also supports the NBA-linked African Basketball League. Reflecting on this unexpected move, Tems said it shows “people can be bold enough to try things that nobody ever thought was possible.”
Refusing to be defined by a single role, Tems declared: “I don’t see myself as just a singer, just a musician, just an artist. I’m much more than that.” Her journey from Lagos to the global stage is not only a testament to her talent but also to her determination to reshape the industry for future generations of African women in music.
Leave a comment