“What I love the most about women artists from these parts is how diverse and unique they are in their own right. And whatever your taste may be, an artist is catering to that,” says culture writer Makua Adimora.
As women continue to make their mark in the vibrant world of Afrobeats, their influence and creativity shine brightly, shaping the genre’s evolution and global impact. With each beat and lyric, women in Afrobeats are rewriting the narrative, breaking barriers, and inspiring a new wave of talent and empowerment. The rhythmic pulse of Afrobeats resonates globally, captivating audiences and defining a new era in music. In recent years, Afrobeats has experienced a notable surge in global popularity. So many individuals have significantly contributed their creativity, talent, and influence to the growth of Afrobeats, playing a crucial role in elevating the genre to global recognition.
The roots of Afrobeats can be traced to the 1970s, when the renowned Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti revolutionised the music scene by creating the Afrobeat genre—not to be confused with Afrobeats— by blending traditional African music with jazz, funk, and highlife elements. Fela Kuti’s music captivated Nigeria and resonated internationally, championing social justice, cultural pride, and unity. His pioneering efforts laid the foundation for the widespread embrace of African music, leading to the emergence of contemporary Afrobeats.
The early ’60s and ’70s West African pop scene involved numerous women whose dabbling in funk, jazz and highlife helped shape the foundation of the dynamic genre. Yet, most of these women have been largely erased from its history, leaving their stories untold. Nevertheless, despite the erasure, they paved the way for Nigerian female artists and continue to perform.
Contemporary Afrobeats emerged in the 21st century as a fusion of various musical styles, including house, R&B, fuji, jùjú, and highlife. The genre’s roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when Ghanaian musicians artfully combined Western jazz and calypso with regional African music, birthing the genre known as highlife. This fusion paved the way for the birth of the unique and globally embraced sound of Afrobeats.
In this article, we delve into the crucial role of women in Afrobeats, exploring their historical impact, their influence as artists and producers, the genre’s global reach, and the challenges and triumphs they have encountered along the way.
The evolution of women in Afrobeats
The pioneering women of Afrobeat
The efforts of these women are lost to us mainly because recording and documentation of music back then was costly and the labels and individuals – local and foreign – with financial access to record these women and document their careers were simply uninterested. Adofo, a British journalist and writer, in his book “A Quick Ting on Afrobeats”, sweeps the historical landscape of popular West African music as far back as possible in search of women fingers patriarchy as the culprit for the relative absence of women in music.
Sandra Izsadore
Popularly called the “Queen Mother of Afrobeat”, young girl Sandra’s dream was to become an entertainer. Sandra studied acting and African dance in Los Angeles it was during this period that she met Fela Ransome-Kuti. Izsadore was most prominent as the only featured vocalist on Kuti’s music – notably on 1976’s “Upside Down”.
A Black musician, manager and activist – who was heavily affiliated with the Black Panther civil rights movement in the United States – encountering Izsadore was a turning point for Kuti’s sense of political identity. “Sandra gave me the education I wanted to know. She was the one who opened my eyes… Nothing about my life is complete without her,” Kuti recalled in his Carlos Moore biography, Fela: This Bitch of A Life.
Christy Essien-Igbokwe
Christy Essien-Igbokwe, “Nigeria’s Lady of Songs”, is one of the most sampled artists in the country. The singer and actress started with the remarkable Freedom in 1977, which contains hit songs like “Feel So Good Sometime”. Her albums were a commercial success and 1981’s Ever Liked My Person?, her sixth release, was the biggest of her career: songs like “Seun Rere” became massive triumphs.
She eventually became the founder and first female president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria. Essien passed away in 2011, leaving behind a legacy of musical excellence.
The Lijadu Sisters
A music duo known as the Lijadu Sisters grew up in the Nigerian city of Ibadan and were inspired musically by various artists, including Aretha Franklin, Victor Olaiya and Miriam Makeba.
When they were coming up in the mid-60s, hardly any famous women worked in the Nigerian pop music scene. The sisters’ discography was boundless; their music was a mix of Jazz, Afrobeat, Reggae and Waka, and sometimes they sang in English and other times in African languages. They also blended punk rock with reggae, Memphis soul, pop, and jazz. Like their second cousin, Fela Kuti, they staunchly opposed bad governance. The Lijadu Sisters were pacesetters who openly expressed feminist views through their music when it was an unpopular social ideology.
The women of modern Afrobeats
Weird MC
As Afrobeats rose in the early 2000s, several female artists broke into the music scene. Weird MC’s single “Ijoya” brought her into the limelight and introduced her as the first female Afrobeats star and a pivotal figure in the evolution of rap music in Nigeria.
Asa
In 2007, Asa broke onto the scene with her debut album “ASA,” which hit singles “Jailer” and “Fire on the Mountain”. Her talent was distinguishing, and her style of music left an instant impression on the market.
Mo’cheddah
In the early years of the new decade, a rising star emerged – Mo’cheddah. With abundant energy and swagger, she quickly ascended to stardom, releasing hit single after hit single and collaborating with industry heavyweights. Her success was recognised with numerous awards, including the 2010 MTV Africa Music Award for Best New Artiste of The Year and the 2010 Channel O Music Video Award for Best Female Video
As Afrobeats continued to gain momentum, it caught the attention of Nigerian talents in the diaspora. More of them began to relocate back home to explore their musical careers. Artists like Tiwa Savage, Emma Nyra, and Seyi Shay were among those who returned home.
Tiwa Savage
In 2011, Tiwa Savage made a notable entry into the music scene with her first single, “Kele Kele Love,” which garnered widespread airplay and quickly won over fans with her captivating charisma. Tiwa has maintained her relevance over the years, releasing hit after hit. Additionally, she featured in Beyoncé’s ‘The Gift’ album, which earned a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Pop Vocal Album.’
Yemi Alade
Yemi Alade—Marie Claire’s Unapologetic African— burst onto the music scene in 2014 with her chart-topping hit “Johnny” and has since maintained her momentum. Known as “Mama Africa,” Yemi has carved out a significant presence as one of the most influential artists on the continent, particularly in East Africa, thanks to her versatility in singing in various African languages. Notably, she is the second Nigerian and Afrobeats artist to surpass 100 million views on YouTube and the first Nigerian female artist to achieve 1 million views in less than 24 hours.
Simi
In 2014, the music industry welcomed a new talent. Simi captured the hearts of listeners with her captivating voice and adept storytelling abilities in her popular single, “Tiff,” which was quickly followed by “Jamb Question.” Also, as a sound engineer, she has become a well-known figure, establishing herself in the industry with her effortless style. She produces most of her music and co-produces songs for other artists, including Adekunle Gold, who constantly credits her for writing and producing some of his songs.
Niniola
Noteworthy mentions are the dynamic sisters Niniola and Teniola. “The Queen of Afro-House,” Niniola birthed and popularised a music genre that combines Afrobeats and house music into Nigerian culture. In June 2021, Niniola received her second Grammy nomination certificate for her work on The Lion King: The Gift. Her single “Maradona” was certified gold in South Africa in July 2021 and platinum in January 2023. With her 2018 hit single, ‘Case,’ Teniola stole the spotlight, and she quickly followed up by releasing other hit songs such as “Uyo Meyo,” and “Billionaire.”
The new generation of Afrobeats women
With the emergence of a new generation of female artists in the music industry, there has been a significant shift in the narrative that cannot be overlooked. Over the past four years, these new artists have demonstrated their strength and competitiveness in the industry through record-breaking achievements and notable success.
Tems
Having shot to the limelight in 2018 with her singles ‘Mr. Rebel’ and ‘Try Me,’ Tems rose to a peak in her career after her collaboration with Wizkid went mainstream– earning her first Grammy nomination, commanding the attention of foreign audiences, and earning her place on the global stage. Within the last few years, Tems has won multiple awards, including BET awards, and the biggest, a Grammy for ‘Best Melodic Rap Performance’ category with Future’s Wait For You. Yet, these are just a few notable awards and mentions to her name.
Ayra Starr
She achieved superstardom after releasing her debut EP. Her albums “19 and Dangerous” and “The Year I Turned 21” reached the top of several charts in different countries, propelling her to global recognition. She has amassed a large following and achieved notable milestones, such as becoming the first female Nigerian artist to have a solo entry on the UK Official Singles Chart with her hit single “Rush.” Additionally, she is the first and youngest Nigerian female artist nominated for “Best African Music Performance” at the 66th Grammy Awards. Ayra’s unwavering drive for success motivates her to continue breaking barriers in the international music market and making a lasting impact on the industry.
Beyond the spotlight, women have emerged as integral contributors to the genre’s evolution. Music executives and female producers in the music industry have also been instrumental in shaping the Afrobeats scene. These women have wielded their creativity, passion, and distinct perspectives to enrich the depth and diversity of Afrobeats. Their role in elevating the quality and diversity of Afrobeats cannot be overstated, as they continue to drive its global impact.
Challenges and triumphs
Despite the undeniable contributions of women to Afrobeats, gender inequalities and barriers persist. Whether it be managers who express their bias against female artists, or female artists getting sexually harassed. In a recent interview, Stella Ebegbune, popularly known as D’LYTE explains that “Most times female artists are sexually harassed or taken for granted by record company executives, producers, directors, promoters and even fellow male musicians.”
In recent news, Nigerian singer Brymo sparked controversy after he revealed in a voice note he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he demanded a sexual relationship from female Afrobeats artist Simi in exchange for a music collaboration. Following the backlash from women, Brymo defended his sexual advances towards the “Tiff” singer, describing it as “an artistic pursuit.”
The issue of women against women
There are also issues of consistent propagation of rivalries amongst female artists. Simi said “Fans pit women against each other in the music industry. It’s so intense sometimes. Sometimes it can be distracting because there are not as many of us in the [music] industry compared to the guys.” In response, Simi says, “We can all thrive. I have spoken about women several times, even in my songs. But because I’m an artist, people assume that my talking about women can be valid only by featuring women in my songs. It’s so weird because there are women from different walks of life.
However, these challenges have only fueled the determination of women in Afrobeats to break boundaries and defy limitations, which they continue to do. Their resilience and success stories serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring female artists and industry professionals, paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant music scene.
A rise in leading female artists
The music industry now sees a rise in leading female artists, DJs, and executives, signalling women’s empowerment. In 2018, Dunnie, a Nigerian female producer, established Audio Girl Africa, a non-profit organisation in Lagos, Nigeria, which aims to create a safe space for female creatives interested in music production, sound engineering, and the music business to grow. Audio Girl Africa has successfully trained over 500 women and continues to be instrumental in ensuring that women achieve their dreams. This shift allows top female artists to support emerging female talents, mirroring the support male artists traditionally offer.
The story of the women of Afrobeats is filled with ups and downs, all of which have shaped the industry and brought it to its current position. Respect must be given to the women who toiled in the industry and played different roles behind the scenes in the quest to strengthen the place of women in the industry. They can take pride in the fact that, at last, a spine forms at the female end of Africa’s biggest music market.
