Tems Calls Out Industry Sexism: ‘People Don’t Respect Women’

Nigerian Singer Temilade Openiyi, Tems has opened up about the sexism women face in the music industry.

In an interview with BBC Africa, she noted that people don’t respect women in the industry,  adding that her perspective as a woman uniquely positions her to drive change in this regard.

Rather than simply lamenting the injustice, Tems chose to act. She launched The Leading Vibe Initiative in Lagos, a mentorship and empowerment program aimed specifically at uplifting African women in music. The initiative debuted on August 8, 2025, and featured workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions for female vocalists, songwriters, and producers seeking to break into the industry on their own terms.

Tems has in the past spoken on the early days of her career when simply being taken seriously was a challenge, not because of her talent, but because of her gender. Indeed, the Nigerian music industry remains largely male-dominated.

Reflecting on her journey and broader mission, Tems said:

“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.”

She also offered guidance to aspiring female musicians to define their brand, establish boundaries, and know what values they’re unwilling to sacrifice.

Tems’ story underscores broader systemic challenges facing women in Afrobeats and Nigerian music. As highlighted in a 2023 TeenVogue column, only about 22% of artists, 12.8% of songwriters, and 3% of producers globally are women. This disparity is mirrored in Africa, where female creators remain vastly underrepresented and undervalued.

Tems’ act of naming the problem and creating a solution is groundbreaking, not only because of her star power but also because she’s willing to use it for collective progress. Instead of waiting for the system to transform, she’s building her own ladder, and extending it to others.