Tems Opens Up on Early Career Struggles and Launches Platform to Empower Women in Music

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has shared her emotional journey through the struggles she faced at the beginning of her music career. The globally celebrated artist revealed that it was extremely difficult for people to take her seriously as a musician when she started out.

In a recent interview with CNN, Tems spoke candidly about how she often felt unsupported and invisible in her early days. She explained that staying true to herself was the only thing that kept her going despite the challenges. “Authenticity is everything to me. That’s the one thing I cannot compromise on because that’s all I have – who I really am,” she said.

Tems, who has become one of Nigeria’s most influential female artists, is now using her platform to uplift others. She recently launched an initiative called Leading Vibe, a project aimed at empowering women working behind the scenes in the music industry.

According to her, Leading Vibe focuses on giving recognition and opportunities to women who play crucial but often overlooked roles in the music world, including producers, sound engineers, and managers. Tems explained that the initiative will help promote gender balance and visibility within the creative industry.

She also revealed that the project is expanding beyond Nigeria, with Kenya being the next destination. Her goal, she said, is to create an inclusive space where talented women across Africa can be seen, valued, and celebrated for their work.

Tems’ story of resilience and self-belief continues to inspire young artists globally. From facing rejection to becoming an international star, her journey shows that staying authentic to one’s vision can lead to success against all odds.