Tems and Hennessy Bring the Leading Vibe Initiative to Kenya, Spotlighting Women in Music

After the energy, excitement, and success of its first edition in Lagos between 8th-9th August 2025, the Leading Vibe Initiative, founded by two-time GRAMMY Award winning artist, producer, and songwriter Tems, is headed to Nairobi on September 29th in partnership with Hennessy. This is not just another music event, it is a powerful chance to shift the landscape for women in music across Kenya and Africa.

The Leading Vibe Initiative’s mission is simple but bold: to support, connect, and amplify women in music. Tems is not just talking about representation, she is building infrastructure and opening doors for women who have often been shut out. As she explained, her main goal with the initiative is to help support and amplify talented young women who have the potential to redefine the industry. She added that by providing access, tools, and opportunity, the program is creating space for women to find their voices, step into their power, and shape the future of music across the continent and globally.

Currently, the underrepresentation of female artists, songwriters, and producers globally is staggering. Only about 22 percent of performing artists, 12.8 percent of songwriters, and just 3 percent of music producers are women. In Kenya, the challenges are just as clear, especially in production and technical roles that remain dominated by men. The picture is more qualitative but no less stark. A Radio 254 feature bluntly states: “In Kenya’s music industry, none of the Top music producers are female.” And while Kenyan female producers do exist, their work often remains outside mainstream recognition.

However, despite these odds, Kenyan women continue to push boundaries. Artists and producers like Viola Karuri, DJ IV, Bbyyontheisland, Emma Nzioka (also known as Coco EM), and Labdi, (just to name a few), have been carving paths in spaces where women are often told they do not belong. Viola Karuri studied at Berklee College of Music and went on to self produce her album “Everything.” Coco EM, known widely for her DJing and production, has graced international stages, including Boiler Room. Labdi brings the orutu, a traditional string instrument, into modern compositions, blending heritage and innovation even as she challenges stereotypes about what women should or should not play.

Beyond producers, Kenyan female performers are making waves that cannot be ignored. Sofiya Nzau is one example. Born in Murang’a County, she worked tirelessly to make ends meet before her global breakthrough. When Brazilian DJ Zerb remixed her song “Mwaki,” she became an international sensation, carrying the Kenyan sound to the world. Artists like Fena Gitu, who proudly calls herself the Fenamenal Woman, have built reputations as multi-talented creatives, blending songwriting, rap, and production while never shying away from addressing social realities. Rising acts such as Zaituni Wambui, El Chi, Savinnah, N’Jiru, Ssaru, and Karun represent the next wave of Kenya’s female stars. They are experimenting with genres, pushing creative boundaries, and proving that Kenyan women are not only participating in the industry, but also leading it in bold ways.

For women in Kenya, the Nairobi edition of the Leading Vibe Initiative is more than just another workshop. It is an opportunity to learn hands-on through songwriting sessions, production classes, and business of music workshops that go beyond theory and dive into practical skills. It is a chance to use cutting edge technology provided by Native Instruments, tools that many women in the country often struggle to access. It is also about building networks through mentorship and community. For many young women in Kenya, one of the hardest parts of building a career in music is the lack of knowledge on who to talk to, who to collaborate with, or where to pitch their work. LVI creates those connections. Most importantly, the program provides a space designed specifically for women, where they can see themselves reflected in the mentors, trainers, and fellow participants around them.

Tems’ vision is supported by Hennessy, which has joined once again as official partner for the Kenyan edition alongside Native Instruments. Vincent Montalescot, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hennessy, explained that the company is honored to support the initiative and continue empowering African communities and cultures. He said that Tems’ vision, talent, and purpose align deeply with Hennessy’s legacy of championing those who push boundaries and redefine the world around them. This support is not just symbolic. With financial backing and resource access from Hennessy and Native Instruments, women in Kenya gain credibility, visibility, and platforms they may not have had before.

Kenya already has organizations working toward similar goals, such as the Santuri Electronic Music Academy, which provides special attention in training women and other underrepresented groups in electronic music production and sound engineering. The arrival of LVI adds another crucial piece to this puzzle, connecting Kenyan female artists to a continental and global network of artists, mentors, and resources.

The potential impact is enormous. If Nairobi’s edition of the Leading Vibe Initiative builds on the momentum of Lagos, Kenya could see a new generation of female producers emerging, and more women owning not just their voices but their rights, business decisions, and production credits. The diversity of Kenyan sounds could expand as women fuse local traditions with global genres. Additionally, the networks built through the program could strengthen East Africa’s presence in the global industry and inspire younger women to see music as a viable and empowering career path.

Kenya’s music future will be richer, more textured, and more representative when women are at the center, not just as performers but also as producers, songwriters, executives, and entrepreneurs. The Leading Vibe Initiative’s arrival in Nairobi is not simply a date on the calendar, it is a statement that Kenyan women in music deserve to be heard, seen, and celebrated. And for every artist who steps into that room on September 29th, there is the possibility of a career transformed and a generation inspired to believe that they too belong at the heart of Africa’s music story.