‘It’s Not Easy Being a Woman in Entertainment Space’ – Skales
Nigerian singer Skales has shown support for women in the entertainment industry, acknowledging the challenges female artistes face while trying to build successful careers.
The “Shake Body” crooner shared his thoughts on X, praising his female colleagues and noting that navigating the entertainment industry as a woman comes with its own difficulties.
Skales wrote: “Big up all the females in the entertainment industry … it ain’t easy being a woman in this industry … big up to y’all for real.”
The singer’s comment came shortly after fellow Nigerian artiste Fave spoke about the different standards she believes female artistes face in the music industry.
Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast, Fave said female musicians are often judged by their appearance, clothing and bodies instead of being assessed primarily on their music and talent.
According to Fave, female artistes are expected to do considerably more to remain relevant and compete for attention in the industry.
She also discussed the pressure surrounding stage performances, saying women often have to put significant effort into their performances while dealing with scrutiny that male artistes may not face in the same way.
Fave also claimed that some record labels are reluctant to sign female artistes because of the perception that managing and developing female acts is more difficult.
She said she had encountered industry executives earlier in her career who expressed reservations about signing female artistes.
Fave further raised concerns about unwanted sexual advances and the pressures some women encounter when attempting to gain access to opportunities within the music business. These are her personal claims and were not accompanied by names of specific executives.
Against that backdrop, Skales’ brief message has drawn attention because it recognises the additional pressures female entertainers can face while building careers.
The singer did not specifically address each of Fave’s claims, but his comments offered public encouragement to female entertainers navigating the industry.
Women such as Tems, Ayra Starr, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Teni and Fave have continued to build major careers within Afrobeats and the wider African entertainment space, while conversations around representation, industry opportunities and expectations for female artistes remain ongoing.
Skales’ message has therefore added his voice to a growing conversation about the experiences of women working in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
