The music industry has long been dominated by the masculine gender, but a new generation of African female artistes is shattering glass ceilings. Tems, Ayra Starr and Tyla are at the forefront of this revolution, inspiring a new wave of female musicians and redefining the sound of African music.
In celebration of this year’s Women’s History Month, leading providers of music streaming services, Spotify, shines light on these young African female powerhouses whose emergence as trailblazers in the African soundscape stands as evidence of female alteration and impact.
Through their talent and determination — innovative spirit, creativity, and perseverance — they are breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, changing the narrative with their groundbreaking achievements and inspiring a new generation of women in the industry. 2024 saw their stories take centrestage through landmark album releases.
From Essence To Born In The Wild: Tems’ Remarkable Rise To Stardom
BORN Temilade Openiyi, and known professionally as Tems, she has continued to break barriers with her unique blend of R&B, Afrobeats, and hip-hop that has captivated audiences worldwide, earning her critical acclaim and commercial success.
Her music is a testament to her strength and resilience, inspiring young women to find their voice and assert their independence. She is the first female African artiste to achieve 1 billion Spotify streams, cementing her place in music history while opening doors fºor generations to come.
She came to prominence after being featured in Wizkid’s 2020 single, Essence, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured in the song, Fountains, by Canadian rapper Drake.
The same year also, she released her debut extended play (EP), For Broken Ears, and followed with her second extended play, If Orange Was a Place in 2021, and released after she inked a record deal with RCA Records.
In 2024, she released her debut studio album Born in the Wild to critical acclaim. The album reached the top 30 in the Netherlands, Switzerland and in the United Kingdom where it peaked at No. 24.
Tems made history at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards with three nominations –the highest for an African act– Best Global Music Album for Born in the Wild, Best R&B song which she won for Burning and Best African Music Performance for Love Me JeJe.
So far in her career, Tems has received many accolades, including two Grammy Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, four NAACP Image Awards, four BET Awards and three Soul Train Music Awards.
Ayra Starr: From Local Choir To Global Recognition
WITH voice has been described in the media as ‘silky’, ‘cozy’, ‘delicate’, ‘sturdy’, ‘arresting’ and ‘soulful’, and music critics noting the dynamic nature of her range and emotional delivery, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe known professionally as Ayra Starr at just 21 years old had already made a name for herself in the music industry.
Having been raised in a music-loving family, her interest in singing comes mostly from her family. At the age of 10, she sang in a high school choir and began writing songs with her brother. Her fusion of traditional Yoruba sounds and modern production techniques showcases her innovative spirit and creative ingenuity.
Starr’s lyrics, a concoction of English, Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba, often explores contemporary topics such as love, relationships, empowerment and freedom. She has been praised for her energetic performances, captivating stage presence, and catchy Afro-pop sound.
She achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022, with the release of her hit single Rush. The song charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 24, and earned her a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance.
In August the same year, Starr was ranked number three on Billboard’s Next Big Sound. She released her introspective sophomore album, The Year I Turned 21 in 2024. The project marked a significant evolution in her craft, reflecting themes of self-discovery, love, grief and empowerment.
Tyla: From Jo’burg To The World
WITH a dream to become the first global pop star from Africa and a total of 27 industry awards from 93 nominations in her kitty, South African singer-songwriter, Tyla Laura Seethal, known as Tyla, is taking the music world by storm with her unique blend of pop and amapiano. Hence she has since been deemed the ‘Queen of Popiano’, a fusion of the pop and amapiano genres, infused with elements of R&B and Afrobeats.
Born and raised in Johannesburg, she gained global recognition after the release of her 2023 viral hit single Water, which entered the top 10 in multiple countries including her native South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Tyla’s music is a testament to her determination and perseverance, inspiring young women to chase their dreams and never give up. Apart from catapulting her to international stardom, Water also earned her the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, cementing her position as a trailblazer in the industry and youngest African artiste in history to win a Grammys.
The song became the first song by a South African soloist to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years. It single preceded her self-titled debut album (2024), which was released to critical acclaim and moderate commercial success, entering the top 25 in multiple countries including the United States.
One thing is clear, Tems, Ayra Starr, and Tyla are here to stay; they’re leading the charge, breaking down barriers, and building a legacy that will inspire generations to come. The three ladies are more than just talented musicians – they’re game-changers. Their music is a reflection of their strength, resilience, and creativity, inspiring young women to find their voice and assert their independence.
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