Fave Calls Out Double Standards Facing Female Artistes in Music Industry

Nigerian singer Fave has sparked a fresh conversation about gender expectations in the music industry after speaking openly about the different standards she believes female artistes face compared with their male counterparts. The “Baby Riddim” singer made the comments while speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, where she discussed the challenges women encounter while trying to build successful careers in music. According to Fave, female artistes are frequently judged not only by their music and performances but also by their bodies, clothing and physical appearance. She argued that conversations about female musicians can quickly shift away from their artistic work and focus instead on how they look or dress. Fave said she believes this creates an additional hurdle for women trying to establish themselves in an already competitive industry. “It’s harder for female artists to blow” Fave said female artistes often have to put in significantly more effort to receive the same level of attention given to male performers. She also pointed to the expectations placed on women during performances, arguing that female artistes are often expected to prove themselves repeatedly while men can receive attention without facing the same level of scrutiny. The singer further revealed that, early in her career, she encountered industry executives who were hesitant about working with female artistes because they considered women difficult to manage. She also spoke about unwanted sexual advances that women may encounter while trying to gain access to studios and influential industry figures. Fave’s comments have received support from fellow Nigerian singer Skales. Reacting on X, Skales acknowledged the difficulties female entertainers face and praised women working in the industry. His response added another voice to the ongoing discussion about gender expectations, opportunities and treatment within Nigeria’s music business. Fave’s remarks have renewed discussions about how female artistes are perceived in the Nigerian entertainment industry. While appearance and branding can be important parts of an artiste’s public image, Fave’s argument is that these factors should not overshadow musical ability and performance. Her comments have therefore brought renewed attention to the experiences of women trying to establish themselves in Afrobeats, from securing record deals and accessing industry opportunities to dealing with public scrutiny. As the Nigerian music industry continues to expand globally, the conversation over whether male and female artistes are judged by the same standards is likely to remain an important one.