Bias against female artistes in Nigeria is not so much of a secret anymore as it is glaring…A bias so strong and openly normalized that it has now become a vice so hard to tackle. The Nigerian Music industry is a boys club.

More often than not, quite a number of artiste managers have anonymously and discreetly aired their grievances about managing and working with female artistes. They have uttered their preference of working with their male counterparts instead…

THE JOLLOF DIARY published an anonymous interview with a certain “manager” who expressed his dissatisfaction working with female artistes. Mind you, the artiste manager also claimed to have worked with just one female artiste. Definitely not going to use that statement to judge but it is quite weird that a conclusion was drawn from that premise. But down to the obvious observation, this manager in question also adds that it became tiring having to shield this female artiste from sexual harassments she frequently faced from the big dogs of the industry. This typically unsound mode of reasoning has peddled the idea that female Afrobeats artistes are hard to manage, impossible to promote and grotesque to the general audience and public.

With this flawed theory, it portrays these female afrobeats artistes as not worthy of investment. Throw it in the bin!

The music industry in Nigeria, in 2024 is obviously being sculpted by the Female Artistes. Brewing up for years, it is completely marvelous to see all their hard work coming to play. They took the “Go hard or Go home” statement too serious. Not to be a hater, but seeing these beautiful artistes get downplayed and completely thrown off because some people find the works of their male counterparts more appealing has been completely gut wrenching and frustrating. Frustrating because it is very visible how much time and dedication is being put into their work only for such statements like “oh I don’t listen to her songs” or “why I go dey jam babe song” to be made. The fact that everyone is entitled to their preference is not being neglected, only that it gets weird and odd when you refuse to listen because “na babe sing am.” Depriving yourself of good music because of your odd convictions. I don’t want to call it misogynistic but it does quite fall under the umbrella.

It is quite lovely how our female Afrobeats artistes have and are still continuing to embrace their art. At this point, we’re certain to believe that there’s some sort of passion in their music and are not being held back or getting influenced by the talks and demeaning acts trying to pull their careers down. There is also an impending sort of togetherness forming amongst the community of these female artistes. It is a great start for their most productive years yet as they will as always overlook the media trying to pit them against each other, but this time in a more communal manner. This togetherness has been portrayed in public supportiveness, major encouragements, collaborations and creative link ups between Nigerian female Afrobeats Artistes. In recent past, there has only been space for one Female Artiste amongst the many male counterparts. This environment created an atmosphere where female artistes were constantly being placed in ridiculous competitions between each other.

It is important to note that the segregation of female Afrobeats artistes is not just a thing of the now. However, the contributions and impacts of The Lijadu sisters in sculpting and shaping the Nigerian music scene and industry is not extinct in the minds of very few Nigerians. They achieved so much success in their prime and early years even while working in a space where the perception of a good and successful artiste was and still is male as in regards to current times. Various impacts of women like The Lijadu sisters, Sandra Izsadore and so many other beautiful female musicians are mostly if not always being overlooked and overshadowed by the achievements of male artistes that pioneered this movement alongside them.

Such is also being played out in the scene again and is seen even as artistes like Tems, Tiwa Savage and Ayra Starr take the stage in Afrobeats music globally, and the problems of prejudice and discrimination as well as structural setbacks continue.

Unlike the mid 2010s that had just one Afrobeats Queen stage, we are now opportune to witness multiple female artistes in the mainstream spotlight and more are still creating their spaces and expanding their reach and careers. Artistes like Lady Donli, Qing Madi, Bloody Civilian, Kold Af, SGawD, Tems and so many other rising stars are embracing their visions and art and using them to create some of the most enticing music ever.

Don’t you think it’s a problem that you don’t want to listen to beautiful music because of gender biases? Sounds so off putting. Don’t deprive yourself of good music, it wouldn’t hurt. Once again, it’s not a plea!

But Jam a babe’s music today.