Culture: Tems confronts Gender Bias in Afropop, launches Women’s empowerment initiative

Nigerian Grammy winner Tems has criticized the lack of respect for women in Afropop, telling the BBC the male-dominated industry often sidelines female talent. Despite the genre’s global rise, its top stars: Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido remain men, while women face systemic barriers.

Tems, who faced body-shaming after a viral performance clip, clapped back on social media: “It’s just a body… The more you don’t like it, the better for me.” Now, she’s channeling her influence into The Leading Vibe Initiative, a Lagos-based platform offering workshops and networking for African women in music.

“If I can make it easier for women to access opportunities, I will,” said Tems, aiming to redefine industry standards. The project, launched Friday, targets systemic gaps by equipping vocalists, producers, and songwriters with skills to amplify their voices—and demand equality.