Nigerian Singer Tems Reflects on Early Career Challenges and Empowering Women in Music

In a recent interview with CNN, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Tems discussed the difficulties she faced at the beginning of her music career. The 30-year-old artist, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, revealed that it was challenging for people to take her seriously as a singer and producer. She often felt overlooked and unsupported during her early days in the industry, stating that she didn’t feel safe, seen, or supported for a long time.

Tems emphasized the importance of authenticity in her artistry, describing it as her foundation. She stated that authenticity is everything to her and something she cannot compromise on. This value has been crucial in shaping her career and informing her decisions.

The singer also spoke about her initiative, The Leading Vibe, a platform aimed at empowering women working in behind-the-scenes roles within the music industry. The program was inspired by her own experiences of feeling invisible and excluded. Tems’ goal is to create more opportunities for female producers, managers, and sound engineers, helping them gain recognition in a male-dominated field.

According to Tems, there are many talented women who can work in various roles in the music industry but are not visible. She wants to make them visible and redefine the narrative of women in music. The initiative plans to expand beyond Nigeria, with Kenya being the next destination. Tems believes that providing women with the opportunity to be seen and heard will change the shape of the music industry.

By sharing her experiences and creating a platform to support women in music, Tems is working to address the gender imbalance in the industry. Her efforts aim to create a more inclusive and diverse music sector, where women have equal opportunities to succeed. As The Leading Vibe expands, it is likely to have a positive impact on the music industry, promoting greater representation and recognition of women’s contributions.