Tems Champions Women’s Representation in Music, Sports

Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has opened up about the hurdles women face in the music industry and her mission to challenge those barriers.

In an interview with BBC Africa, the two-time Grammy winner revealed that earning respect as a woman in the business was not easy.

“It was difficult to find people to take me seriously, but it didn’t mean that I stopped. I just kept going,” said Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi. For her, the goal extends beyond personal achievement—it is about reshaping how women perceive themselves and how the world perceives them.

To that end, she has launched The Leading Vibe Initiative, a platform dedicated to supporting, promoting, and connecting African female singers, songwriters, and producers. “As a woman myself, I’m the best person to start something like this because that’s the aim of this,” she noted.

Tems stressed that her advocacy is not limited to performers but spans all roles in the industry—producers, engineers, instrumentalists, and managers. “When people tell you to change your sound, change your style, you look at them and say no,” she said, adding that she was prepared to walk away from deals that did not align with her vision.

Beyond music, the 30-year-old has made an unexpected move into sports ownership, becoming a co-owner of a US football club in San Diego. “It’s a space where women are underrepresented, and I wanted it to be known that women can be in any space if they want,” she said.

From chart-topping hits to football boardrooms, Tems continues to demonstrate that women can excel in any arena they choose rewriting the rules and inspiring a new generation along the way.