Tems Speaks Out on Gender Disrespect in Afropop Industry

In a candid interview with the BBC, two-time Grammy award-winner Tems expressed her concerns about the lack of respect for women in the Afropop music industry. As a response, she launched The Leading Vibe Initiative to support young female talent across Africa.

Nigerian Afropop sensation Tems recently opened up about her experiences as a woman in the male-dominated music industry during an interview with the BBC. The two-time Grammy award-winner cited a pervasive lack of respect for female artists and detailed her struggles to gain recognition at the start of her career.

"I realized that there's always a cost. There's always a price that you pay," Tems explained. "And a lot of those prices I wasn't willing to pay and there weren't a lot of options."

Afropop has rapidly gained international popularity over the last decade, yet it remains predominantly controlled by male artists such as Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid. Female stars like Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade have echoed similar frustrations about the challenges they encounter in their careers.

Earlier this year, Tems responded to negative online comments regarding her body, voicing her frustration on social media. "It's just a body," she said. "I will add and lose weight... The more you don't like my body the better for me actually."

Motivated to instigate change, Tems established The Leading Vibe Initiative, a project aimed at empowering young women in Africa's music industry. The initiative, launched in her hometown of Lagos, includes workshops, masterclasses, and discussions to elevate the next generation of female artists.

"I promised myself that if I get to a place where I can do more, I will make this initiative for women like me," Tems said. "I want to make it easier for women to access platforms and achieve success."

When asked about her advice for aspiring female musicians, she emphasized the significance of self-awareness. "It's important to have an idea of what you want for yourself, what your brand is, what's your boundary. What are the things that you wouldn't do for fame?"

Tems, known for her hit songs such as "Love Me Jeje" and "Free Mind," highlighted the necessity of genuine passion for music. "If I wasn't famous, I would still be doing music," she remarked.

Five years into her career, Tems has collaborated with global artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna and has headlined international events, with an impressive 17 million monthly Spotify listeners. She is also set to support British band Coldplay during their Wembley Stadium tour next month.

In addition to her musical achievements, Tems has also taken significant steps into sports, recently becoming part-owner of US football club San Diego FC through a partnership with Pave Investments.

"I never imagined myself owning or being in ownership of any football team," she said, revealing her journey into sports began through her brother's influence.

Tems hopes her participation in the football world will inspire others to embrace opportunities that seem unlikely. "I don't see myself as just a singer. I'm much more than that," she emphasized.