TEMS LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN MUSIC
“The Leading Vibe”: Nigerian Star Tems Is Building the Future of African Music, One Woman at a Time
Edem Latsu Nukafu 
Only 22% of global recording artists are female. Songwriters? 12.8%. Producers? A bleak 3%. But GRAMMY-winning Nigerian singer Tems has had enough — and she’s not just talking about the problem, she’s building a solution.
Fresh off a GRAMMY win and an Oscar nomination, Tems has announced the Leading Vibe Initiative, a bold new program launching this August in Lagos to support and empower young African women in music — from the studio to the stage.
■ “Creating Space for Women to Take the Lead”
“My goal with the Leading Vibe Initiative is to help discover and support talented young women who have the potential to redefine the industry,” said Tems in a statement.
“By providing access, tools, and opportunity, we’re creating space for them to find their voices, step into their power, and shape the future of music across the continent and globally.”
The initiative is deeply personal for Tems, who has long spoken openly about the barriers she faced as a woman entering a male-dominated industry without connections, mentorship, or resources. Now, she’s giving back in the most powerful way possible — by building what she wishes she’d had.
■ What to Expect from the Leading Vibe Initiative
● Set to launch August 8–9 in Lagos, the program’s inaugural event will feature:
● Workshops and Masterclasses led by industry experts
Panel Discussions on everything from songwriting and production to music business strategy
Hands-On Training with support from Native Instruments, who will provide professional-grade production tools
Mentorship Opportunities to guide rising talent long after the event ends
Applications are now open at leadingvibe.com/initiative and will close on July 13, so time is ticking for aspiring artists ready to make their mark.
■ A Movement, Not Just a Moment
While this first event will take place in Lagos, Tems has made it clear: this is only the beginning. The Leading Vibe Initiative is set to expand across Africa later this year, with plans for global rollouts in the works.
Tems has already redefined what it means to be an African artist on the world stage. With the Leading Vibe Initiative, she’s making sure she’s not the last.
Because this time, the vibe is female — and it’s leading.
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