Out Of Africa: Tems’ Leading Vibe Initiative Showcases Nigeria’s Music Future in Short Film 72 Hours in Lagos

New documentary spotlights women producers, Lagos’ creative pulse, and Tems’ mission to transform Africa’s music industry.

The Leading Vibe Initiative, a women-focused empowerment programme launched by GRAMMY-winning Nigerian musician Tems, has collaborated with German music hardware & software manufacturer Native Instruments to release 72 hours In Lagos, a short film capturing the energy of one of Africa’s most influential music cities.

The documentary follows three emerging producers and artists, chronicling their producer track journey during the Initiative’s inaugural edition.

The film offers a candid look at the possibilities and pressures of Lagos and explores the obstacles women face in a male-dominated industry. Women account for less than 3% of producers in chart-topping music; these stories show the persistence needed to break through, foster community, and shape Nigeria’s sound.

The film offers a candid look at the possibilities and pressures of Lagos and explores the obstacles women face in a male-dominated industry. Women account for less than 3% of producers in chart-topping music; these stories reveal the persistence needed to break through, foster community, and shape Nigeria’s sound.

In the film, Tems says: “I’m from Lagos originally, it’s a vibrant city that creates a different type of motivation. It’s authentic and it’s unique to itself, which is how it shaped me. LVI is an initiative to create space for women in all categories in all aspects with the final aim or goal to redefine how women see themselves and other people see women in music. I think learning how to produce definitely made me solidify my sound because usually you have a producer that gives you a beat and you have to go on it, but being a producer myself the music is more authentic now. The music became more genuine and more true to me and more distinctive.”

The featured producers include:

• Saszy Afroshii: an accomplished producer who has worked with artists like Wizkid and Tems, who recounts navigating male-dominated studio sessions and the importance of female artists supporting one another.
• TinyBraz: a singer-songwriter and producer who found her authentic voice after pushing back against industry pressure to conform, building a creative sanctuary and a new life for herself through her music.
• Gbots: a multi-instrumentalist and producer who, feeling like an outlier, founded the We Are Producers community to create a safe and collaborative space for other female creators to thrive.

The Leading Vibe Initiative was established to support, connect and amplify women in music across Africa. Born from Tems’ journey as a self-taught artist with a focus on driving change, the initiative offers training, mentorship, industry access, and community for women in music in Africa, with plans to expand further in future editions. With a commitment to closing the gender gap in the music industry, the Leading Vibe Initiative builds pathways for women to rise.

For more than 25 years, Native Instruments has been at the centre of musical innovation. The company has created communities, pushed technological boundaries, and opened new creative horizons for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Today, driven by their mission to make music creation more inclusive and accessible, the company’s hardware, software across Native Instruments, iZotope and Plugin Alliance brands, provide fully-integrated solutions for musicians, producers, and DJs of all genres and levels of experience.

For more than 25 years, Native Instruments has been at the centre of musical innovation. The company has created communities, pushed technological boundaries, and opened new creative horizons for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Today, driven by a mission to make music creation more inclusive and accessible, their hardware and software across the Native Instruments, iZotope and Plugin Alliance brands, provide fully integrated solutions for musicians, producers, and DJs of all genres and experience levels.

72 hours in Lagos is streaming worldwide on the Native Instruments Youtube Channel.