Singer says women are judged by appearance and sex appeal before their music
Nigerian singer Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, popularly known as Fave, has spoken about the challenges female artistes face in the country’s music industry, arguing that women are often subjected to standards beyond musical talent.
Fave made the remarks during a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, where she discussed the different expectations placed on male and female artistes seeking to build successful careers in Nigeria.
According to the singer, female artistes are frequently judged not only on the quality of their music but also on their physical appearance, fashion choices and perceived sex appeal.
She argued that such expectations can overshadow the music itself, with audiences sometimes focusing on an artiste’s appearance before considering her talent or artistic output.
“It is harder for female artists to blow. Female artists aren’t measured by talent but by what they wear. If your tummy isn’t flat… It is never really about the music; it is more about people’s sexual desires or their fantasies about you.
“And I think that right there is a problem, because it becomes more about how decently you are dressed before people listen to you. But when it comes to men, they aren’t held to that same standard.”
Fave’s comments point to what she described as a disparity in the way male and female musicians are perceived within the Nigerian entertainment space.
The singer suggested that while male artistes are generally allowed to be evaluated primarily on their music and performances, women may have to contend with scrutiny over their bodies, clothing and overall physical presentation.
She also argued that the expectations placed on female artistes can create an additional hurdle for women trying to establish themselves in an industry where success is already highly competitive.
Despite what she described as these disadvantages, Fave maintained that female artistes continue to demonstrate strong artistic ability and, in her view, often outperform their male counterparts.
Her remarks have added to an ongoing conversation about gender expectations in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, particularly concerning the extent to which female performers are evaluated differently from their male colleagues.
The singer’s comments also highlight the broader tension between an artiste’s creative identity and the public expectations surrounding appearance, image and commercial appeal in the contemporary Nigerian music scene.