Tems Calls Out Gender Imbalance in Music Industry and Launches The Leading Vibe

Nigerian Afropop sensation Tems, a two-time Grammy winner known for hits like “Essence,” recently opened up about the systemic disrespect women face in music. In a BBC interview, she revealed early career struggles:

“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 wasn’t a lot of options.” Tems emphasized, “people don’t really respect women” in the male-dominated Afropop scene, where stars like Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid dominate.

Addressing body-shaming trolls, she asserted:

“It’s just a body, I will add and lose weight. I never once hid my body, I just didn’t feel the need to prove or disprove anyone.”

To combat these barriers, Tems launched The Leading Vibe initiative on August 8, 2025, in Lagos. Aimed at empowering young women through workshops and masterclasses, she promised: “I will make this initiative for women like me and maybe make it easier for women to access platforms and access a wider audience and success.” Her advice? “Have an idea of what you want for yourself, what your brand is, what’s your boundary.”

Tems’ bold move inspires change in an industry ripe for equality.