International Women’s Day 2023: Celebrating The Women of Afrobeats

While Afrobeats has been dominated by male artists, there are many talented women who have contributed to its success and are worth celebrating. As we mark this year’s International Women’s Day, we’re giving a special shoutout to our Women of Afrobeats– brilliant people who have been instrumental to the rise of our music, building a legacy for themselves through hard work, and inspiring a new generation of brave and relentless young women to claim their place in society’s upper echelons.

One such woman is Yemi Alade, known as the “Queen of Afrobeats”. She rose to fame with hit song “Johnny” in 2013 and has since become one of Africa’s most successful female artists. Yemi Alade has won several awards, including Best Female Artist at the MTV Africa Music Awards, and has collaborated with international artists like Beyoncé and Angelique Kidjo.

Simi, without a doubt, is one of Afrobeats’ most adept musicians. She set the bar really high when she appeared in a collaborative project with rapper/singer Falz in 2017 (“Chemistry”). Afterwards, she released her classic eponymous album “Simisola”, and has since become a global ambassador for African women through her music. Simi has won numerous local and international honours, including The Headies, AFRIMA, and The Nigerian Entertainment Awards.

Another talented woman in Afrobeats is Tiwa Savage. Savage began her career as a backup singer for artists like Mary J. Blige and George Michael before launching her own solo career. She has released several hit songs, including “All Over”, “Ma Lo”, and “Somebody’s Son” ft. Brandy, and has won numerous accolades, such as Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Niniola is another female artist making waves in Afrobeats. She gained popularity with the hit song “Maradona” in 2017 and has since released several successful singles and projects, including “Sicker” and “Boda Sodiq”. Niniola has been nominated for several awards, including Best Female at the African Muzik Magazine Awards.

Tems is another woman making a name for herself in Afrobeats and all around the world. She’s starred alongside several international musicians, such as Wizkid, Beyonce, Drake, Future, and Rihanna, to name but a few. She attained international recognition with her feature on Wizkid’s hit song “Essence” in 2020, which has become a viral sensation and garnered millions of streams across the globe. As well as being nominated for an Oscar, At only 26, Tems has already won a Grammy award, BET award, and several other international accolades. Trendsetter.

We cannot conclude our shouts without mentioning Mavin Record’s prodigious talent, Ayra Starr. Starr is another super-talented singer who’s enjoyed a meteoric rise since 2019. She’s quickly made a name for herself with her unique style, sound, and powerful vocals. Her hit singles, including “Bloody Samaritan” and “Begie Begie”, have garnered millions of streams across various platforms, and she has been recognized as one of the top emerging artists not just in Nigeria but in the world.

Other notable women in Afrobeats include Waje, Seyi Shay, Simi, and Teni. These women have all contributed to the growth and success of the genre, and their talent and hard work deserve to be celebrated.

It is important to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in all fields, including music. The women of Afrobeats have shown that they are just as talented, impacted the genre, and deserving of recognition as their male counterparts. On this International Women’s Day, let us celebrate and support these women and continue to strive for gender equity in all aspects of life.