By Semafor Africa
Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons
Nigerian singer Tems wants to provide a route for African women to build careers in the global music industry through her new professional development program, the Afrobeats star told Semafor.
The 30-year-old, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, announced in August that applications were open for the Leading Vibe Initiative, a training program made up of workshops, resources, and mentorship.
“I envision LVI as a platform that builds a pipeline of women who are not just artists on stage, but also producers, songwriters, music executives, entertainment lawyers, and decision makers leading across the industry,” Tems said during an interview in Nairobi, where she performed this week. “It’s about building infrastructure and networks that help women thrive in the music industry and creative economy.”
A recent report by the Washington DC-based Brookings Institution think tank argued that formalizing cultural and creative industries could “bring tremendous growth to sub-Saharan African economies” because those sectors are currently concentrated in the informal economy.
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