Nigerian singer Tems has announced the creation of the Leading Vibe Initiative, a programme aimed at empowering African women in music. The initiative aims to support female artists, songwriters and producers who face structural barriers in an industry still dominated by men.
According to recent data, only 22 % of music artists worldwide are women. Female representation is even lower in key creative roles: only 12.8 % of composers and 3 % of producers are women. Against this backdrop, the Tems initiative aims to reverse the trend and foster a new generation of African female creators.
The first edition of the programme will take place on 8-9 August in Lagos, Nigeria. The call is aimed at women aged between 18 and 35 who are interested in pursuing a career in music. Applications are now open and the deadline for registration is 13 July.
During the conference, participants will have access to intensive workshops, masterclasses and hands-on training in music production, in collaboration with the Native Instruments platform. In addition, they will receive one-on-one mentoring from industry professionals and guidance on strategies for navigating the industry.
The artist, who has built her career as a self-taught artist, stresses that one of the main objectives of the project is to provide resources and support networks for women who are talented but have limited access to training or professional opportunities.
Tems has announced that the programme will be extended to other cities on the African continent in future editions. "It's about leading with purpose and giving a voice to those who have traditionally been silenced," said the singer. With this initiative, she aspires to transform the African music ecosystem from an inclusive and sustainable perspective.
Source: @rollingstoneafrica