2023 was undeniably the year of the women in the Nigerian music industry. The emerging crop of female artists undoubtedly brought their A game, and it paid off in spades.
From Tems to Ayra Starr, Fave to Guchi, and Raybekah, these talented female artists proved that they are not just a force to be reckoned with, but a powerhouse to be celebrated.
The Nigerian music industry has always been male-dominated, with only a handful of female artists making waves in the industry. However, in 2023, this trend finally changed, with an influx of female talents breaking into the scene.
Female artists such as Tems, Ayra Starr, and Fave, who quickly rose to fame in 2021, paved the way for an avalanche of female talent to emerge in the subsequent years. These women brought a fresh sound and a new perspective to the Nigerian music industry, and the listeners couldn’t get enough of them.
Their success reignited the hopes of many emerging female artists, who were now inspired to put themselves out there with the confidence that their music can get the recognition it deserves.
In 2023, the streaming industry boomed, and with it came more opportunities for emerging female artists to get noticed among the ever-increasing number of rising talents. The rise in streaming also translated into an expanding audience, one that was more receptive to the type of music made by female artists.
The music industry has long been accused of being an expensive project for female artists, with the cost of branding and marketing cited as some of the reasons for the limiting nature of breaking female artists. However, the increased investment saw more labels signing female talents in a bid to balance the gender scale in the industry.
The international investment coming into Nigerian music also saw intentional efforts to support emerging female talents, with funds being set aside to encourage more females to break into the scene.
In 2023, the music industry saw an increase in female-themed playlists created by music streaming platforms such as Spotify Equal, which sought to spotlight emerging female talent across Africa.
Despite being talented, these women had to work around the challenges of the industry to make their mark. They proved their worth, their resilience, and the potential of the female gender in the industry.
In conclusion, the women in the Nigerian music industry brought their A game in 2023, and it is a trend that is set to continue. They did it with a combination of talent, hard work, and resilience, and in doing so, they inspired a new generation of female talent to take up the mantle.
