Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Tems is redefining the landscape for African women in music by launching the Leading Vibe Initiative. This program supports female creatives across the continent and stems from Tems’ self-taught journey through an industry where women, especially those behind the scenes, often face limited access, visibility, and resources. Now, she is actively working to change that narrative, beginning in her hometown of Lagos, Nigeria.
“From my self-taught journey with no roadmap, I created this to support African women breaking barriers and leading the next wave,” she wrote on social media.
First stop: Lagos, August 8–9
The first edition of the program will take place in Lagos on August 8–9, with an open call for Nigerian women aged 18 to 35 who are artists, producers, or songwriters. The two-day experience will include masterclasses, workshops, and panel discussions led by music professionals, mentors, and industry insiders.
Attendees will not only gain hands-on training and insight into the music business, but also access professional tools and a creative network designed to help them grow.
Read: Madu Makes History: Nigerian Documentary Wins 2025 Emmy
Why this matters now
Despite the global rise of Afrobeats, the industry remains unequal. According to recent reports, only 22% of artists worldwide are female. The numbers are even smaller behind the scenes, with just 12.8% of songwriters and a mere 3% of music producers identifying as women.
In Africa, cultural expectations, limited mentorship, and a lack of inclusive platforms exacerbate these disparities even further. Tems sees the Leading Vibe Initiative as a way to close those gaps and build new pipelines for female talent.
Built for long-term impact
The program is not a one-off workshop or campaign—it’s a structured platform with plans to expand to other African countries, and eventually, to global cities.
Through partnerships with leading artists, industry executives, and music tech companies like Native Instruments, the initiative offers more than education. It delivers tools, opportunities, and direct mentorship to help young women take ownership of their creative futures.
A platform for the ones who believe
Tems has been vocal about the lack of space for women in music beyond performance roles. With Leading Vibe, she’s creating space for the ones who are often overlooked: female producers, engineers, songwriters, and visionaries.
“This is for the ones who believe. The ones who dare to be different. The ones with a voice that deserves to be heard.”
Read: Nigerian Lawyer Owolabi Salis Becomes First Nigerian in Space
How to get involved
Applications are now open for the inaugural Lagos edition of the Leading Vibe Initiative. Interested participants must be based in Nigeria and fall between the ages of 18 and 35. The deadline to apply is July 13 via leadingvibe.com/initiative.
The Leading Vibe Initiative is more than a talent program—it’s a movement for visibility, equity, and leadership in African music. For Tems, it’s about lifting as she rises, and giving other women the chance to thrive in an industry long shaped without them.
From Lagos to the continent and beyond, Tems is turning her story into a stepping stone for others—and making sure the next wave of African music includes more women at the front, center, and behind the sound.