Following her eventful performance at Blankets and Wine this weekend, Tems is scheduled to host her first Leading Vibe Initiative session in Kenya on Monday, September 29.
The Grammy award-winning musician has gathered a number of women who work in the music industry as producers, songwriters, music entrepreneurs and musicians together for an introduction to the project.
The initiative, launched in Lagos earlier this year, seeks to provide mentorship, training, and opportunities for young women pursuing careers in the music industry.
Inspired by Tems’ own journey as a self-taught artist navigating a male-dominated space, the program is designed to create safe and collaborative platforms where women can thrive.
“My goal with the Leading Vibe Initiative is to help discover and support talented young women who have the potential to redefine the industry,” Tems said in a statement. “By providing access, tools and opportunity, we’re creating space for them to find their voices, step into their power and shape the future of music across the continent and globally.”
The session comes as Kenyan women remain significantly underrepresented in Kenya’s music industry, even though female artists such as Nikita Kering and Xenia Manasseh, who will attend today’s session, are driving a nearly 98 per cent growth in international streams for Kenyan women musicians, according to a 2024 Spotify streaming report.
For the Nairobi leg of the initiative, Tems has invited several prominent and rising figures from Kenya’s music scene.
The list includes broadcaster Amina Abdi Rabar, rapper and songwriter Femi One, event organiser and musician Muthoni Drummer Queen, as well as songwriters Sheila Kahwai (Llumi), Maureen Nkatha, Dani Dana, and RED Alicia.
Also in attendance are artists Maya Amolo, Elsa Wameyo, Christine Muthaka and R&B performers Xenia Manasseh and Nikita Kering’, with Nikita serving as one of the session’s speakers.
The gathering is expected to facilitate discussions around leadership, creativity, and industry challenges while fostering collaboration among women across various roles in the music ecosystem.
