Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has spoken candidly about the challenges women face in the Nigerian music industry, revealing that female artistes often struggle to earn the respect they deserve.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Tems shared that at the start of her career, she found it difficult to be taken seriously simply because of her gender. According to her, the industry’s male-dominated structure creates barriers that women must fight harder to overcome.
“People don’t really respect women in the [music] industry,” she said, emphasizing how her early journey was marked by skepticism and underestimation from industry stakeholders.
Tems, who has broken international boundaries with her music and collaborations, including her Grammy Award win and multiple global chart-topping hits, is regarded as one of the most influential African artists of her generation. Her comments have sparked renewed conversations about gender inequality in the entertainment industry and the need for more inclusive practices.
As more female artists like Tems continue to rise to global prominence, her words serve as both a reminder of the struggles behind the success stories and a call for a cultural shift in how women in music are valued and treated.