Afropop superstar Tems has opened up about the challenges she’s faced as a woman in a male-dominated music industry, telling the BBC that at the start of her career, she struggled to be taken seriously.
“People don’t really respect women in the industry,†Tems said in the interview.
The Grammy-winning singer revealed that she quickly realised there was always “a cost†to pay for opportunities, but many of those prices she wasn’t willing to pay, and that options for women were limited.
While Afropop has exploded globally over the past decade, its so-called “Big Three†â€" Burna Boy, Davido, and Wizkid â€" are all men. Their female counterparts, like Tiwa Savage and Yemi Alade, have also spoken out about gender barriers in the industry.
Earlier this year, Tems clapped back at body-shaming comments online, saying:
“It’s just a body… The more you don’t like my body the better for me actually.â€
Now, she’s putting her words into action with her newly launched Leading Vibe Initiative â€" a platform designed to help young women across Africa’s music industries access training, mentorship, and career opportunities. The program debuted last Friday in Lagos, gathering vocalists, songwriters, and producers for workshops, masterclasses, and panel sessions.
Tems says her goal is to change the way women see themselves in music and give them the tools to set boundaries, know their brand, and focus on their passion:
“What are the things that you wouldn’t do for fame and the things that you would do?â€
Beyond her music, Tems is also making waves in sports, recently becoming part-owner of US football club San Diego FC alongside Pave Investments.
Watch Tems’ BBC interview clip below:
“People don’t respect women in the industry†– Tems pic.twitter.com/QxBjpkJOnh
â€" Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) August 12, 2025
Tems’ rise from Lagos to global stages â€" with collaborations alongside Beyoncé and Rihanna, millions of monthly Spotify listeners, and upcoming Wembley Stadium dates with Coldplay â€" proves she’s not just breaking ceilings, she’s redefining them.
