Leading Vibe Initiative (LVI): A Movement for Gender Equity in Music.
Tems—Grammy-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter-producer—has launched the Leading Vibe Initiative (LVI), her latest effort to empower African women in the music industry. She officially debuted the initiative in August during a pioneering two-day event held in Lagos with 20 selected women from across the creative music spectrum .
A Personal and Pioneering Mission:Inspired by her own ascent as a self-taught artist navigating systemic sexism, Tems revealed:
“When I first started gaining a platform, it was incredibly empowering to have women I admired… Now, I want to give other women that same platform.”
Hands-On Mentorship & ToolsLVI isn't just symbolic—it’s immersive. Over the two-day Lagos event, participants engaged in workshops, masterclasses, and panels. They gained technical skills through iZotope, received mentorship from industry leaders (including Sony and Universal execs, and artists like Sasha P and Bloody Civilian), and got equipped with knowledge on strategy, autonomy, and visibility.
Breaking Barriers & Expanding ReachTems aims to position women not just as performers, but as creators and producers—the core decision-makers in music. The initiative plans to roll out in Nairobi next, reinforcing LVI’s pan-African vision.
Voices of the MovementParticipants like Pearl Ehanire shared:
“One of the biggest challenges… is access… Now I feel so much more confident… I’m unimaginably grateful.”Others echoed the shift:“The future of African music is female and connected.” — Klaire Onyeka.
Summary Table
Aspect Details
Launch Date & Location August 2025, Lagos, NigeriaParticipants 20 emerging women in music (artists, producers, songwriters)Core Components Mentorship, masterclasses, networking, technical training (iZotope)Industry Experts Sony, Universal executives; Sasha P; Bloody Civilian; moreNext Phase Expansion to Nairobi and other African citiesCore Philosophy Elevate women as leaders, creators—not just performers.