Nigerian Afropop star Tems has revealed that “People don’t really respect women” in the Nigerian music industry.
The two-time Grammy award-winner mentioned that at the start of her career, she struggled to be taken seriously.
“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.”
Tems
Afropop has gained immense global popularity over the past decade, but despite this growth, it remains notoriously male-dominated.
The industry’s so-called “Big Three” – Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid – are all male, while their female counterparts, such as Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, have spoken out about the barriers they face because of their gender.
Earlier this year, the singer hit out following negative comments about her body, which were made online after a video of her performing was posted on X.
She wrote on the social media platform: “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. The more you don’t like my body, the better for me actually.”
Tems disclosed that she wants “to change the way women see themselves in music,” and hopes to achieve this through her new platform, The Leading Vibe Initiative.
The project aims to provide opportunities for young women throughout Africa’s music industries.
“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 and access a wider audience and success.”
Tems
The initiative kicked off in Tems’ hometown, Lagos. Vocalists, songwriters, and producers were invited to a series of workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, all with the aim of developing skills and connections.
Tems on Advice to Young Women
The singer revealed the advice she would give to young women wanting to crack the industry. She said, “I think it’s important to have an idea of what you want for yourself, what your brand is, what your boundaries are.”
“What are the things that you wouldn’t do for fame and the things that you would do?”
Tems
Tems, who has scored hits with the likes of ‘Love Me Jeje’ and ‘Free Mind’, said anyone trying to break into the industry must be passionate about their craft.
“It’s not everybody who sings that loves music. If I weren’t famous, I would still be doing music. I would be in some kind of jazz club… randomly on a Friday night.”
Tems
But this is far from Tems’ reality. Five years on from her debut EP, she has collaborated with the likes of Beyoncé and Rihanna, racked up more than 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and headlined international festivals.
And next month, she will be supporting British band Coldplay during their sold-out run of gigs at the UK’s Wembley Stadium.
She puts her success down to being “authentic” and “audacious”.
“Even when people tell you to change your sound, change your style, you look at them and you say: ‘No’. If it meant me not being signed, I was okay not being signed. I went to a couple of places that didn’t sign me, and I was okay with that.”
Tems
Music is not Tems’ only passion – she is an avid football fan and recently became part-owner of US football club San Diego FC.
“I never imagined myself owning or being in the ownership of any football team,” she said, adding that her brother initially got her into the sport.
The singer joined San Diego’s ownership with Pave Investments, a West African private investment firm, which also helped raise funds for the NBA-linked African Basketball League.
Tems’ involvement with San Diego gives her hope that “people can be bold enough to try things that nobody ever thought was possible”. She said: “I don’t see myself as just a singer, just a musician, just an artist. I’m much more than that.”
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