Tems has announced the South African edition of her Leading Vibe Initiative (LVI), a programme supporting emerging women in music. The event is scheduled for 21 March 2026, with applications closing at the end of February.

The initiative was first launched in Lagos in August 2025, where it worked with Nigerian producers and songwriters. A second edition followed in Nairobi. South Africa is now the next host country as the programme expands its reach across the continent.

Photo Credit – Instagram

The South African edition is open to female artists, songwriters and producers aged between 18 and 35. Participants will take part in workshops, mentorship sessions and networking opportunities focused on songwriting, music production and the business side of the industry.

Sessions will cover production processes, songwriting development and music business fundamentals. Technology company Native Instruments will provide production hardware and software during the programme.

Tems – Instagram

Women remain underrepresented in music production and executive roles globally, including in Africa. The initiative is designed to offer practical training and industry access to help address this imbalance.

Tems has previously spoken about building her career without formal mentorship, learning the technical and business aspects of music independently. She has described the initiative as an extension of that experience, aimed at giving other women access to structured support and professional networks.

Tems – Instagram

The programme is backed by Hennessy, which has supported previous editions.

South Africa’s music industry spans genres including amapiano, hip-hop, jazz and R&B, with women increasingly visible as performers. However, production and executive spaces remain less accessible. The Leading Vibe Initiative’s local edition is expected to focus on strengthening skills and expanding industry connections for participants.

Applications are currently open ahead of the March event.

At the Little Miss Drama Tour stop in Los Angeles, Cardi B  brought out South African star Tyla to perform their collaboration Nice Guy. Fans recorded the performance on their phone.

The appearance was the first time both artists performed Nice Guy together live. The song featured on Cardi’s sophomore album Am I the Drama. Cardi  praised Tyla and hyped her up to the audience. After finishing Nice Guy, Tyla stayed on stage to perform her own hit Chanel.

Cardi B and Tyla : Instagram

The production features multiple costumes, and a setlist that included her well-known songs. The Los Angeles show featured surprise guest appearances, including Tyla, Kehlani, Blueface, and GloRilla. Asides Tyla, Cardi also invited Blueface, Kehlani and GloRilla to join her during the stop.

Read Also :Tyla Wins Best African Music Performance at the 2026 Grammy Award

Tyla has steadily built international momentum. Tyla’s appearance puts African pop on a major United States arena show.

Cardi B : Instagram

Following the surprise performance, Cardi took to Instagram stories to appreciate her collaborators.

“Kehlani!! You’re such a beautiful soul, a talented artist and an amazing performer!! Your reaction to my show meant the world to me! I can’t thank you enough for always showing up and giving me the most genuine love and support!!!” Cardi began.

For Tyla, Cardi wrote,

““Tyla babyyyy!! You bring the perfect energy to any stage. Thank you so much for bringing it to me! Soo pretty and so talented… you deserve all the Chanel and more.”

Tyla : Instagram

Cardi B tour has included notable surprise appearances.

When J. Cole last performed in South Africa, global touring routes rarely treated African stops as priority markets. A decade later, his return under the banner of the Global Fall-Off Tour lands in a changed touring landscape. The audience has grown, venue infrastructure has improved, and international artists now see clear financial incentives in appearing in person rather than relying only on digital reach.

J. Cole – Instagram

This tour is tied to anticipation around The Fall-Off, a project Cole has described as a major career statement. Whether or not the album marks a closing chapter, the promotional framing emphasizes his catalog and long-term impact. Unlike catalog-celebration tours, this one is positioned as a bridge between eras. Setlists from earlier stops mix foundational tracks with newer material that reflects a more restrained, technically focused style. For long-time listeners, the appeal lies in hearing how different phases of his career sit together in a live setting.

South Africa is a strategic stop. The country’s live music economy has grown over the past ten years, with festivals, arena tours and brand-backed concerts drawing large audiences. Hip-hop has developed a strong domestic ecosystem, which changes the dynamic of an international show. Cole is entering a market where local artists headline major venues and where audiences actively follow the genre’s development.

J. Cole – Instagram

There is also a practical exchange between artist and audience. Cole’s career has been defined by lyrical introspection and tight creative control. Those themes resonate in markets where listeners respond to narrative-driven rap rather than purely club-oriented hits. His fan base in the country has largely grown online, sustained by mixtapes, albums and social media rather than consistent touring. A physical performance converts that remote following into a shared event, strengthening audience loyalty in ways streaming alone cannot.

International tours now compete with rising production and travel costs that influence ticket pricing worldwide. Choosing to route a major leg through the country suggests promoters expect strong demand and sufficient infrastructure to support a large-scale run. If the shows sell well, it reinforces the country’s position on future tour maps across genres, not just hip-hop.

J. Cole – Instagram

For Cole, the return functions as both a reunion with fans and a test of market strength. After more than ten years, the question is whether the connection has intensified or faded. Live performance reveals that through turnout, crowd response and post-show conversation, all of which shape how an artist judges their reach outside their home base. The decade-long gap matters because the touring industry itself has become more data-driven, and this inclusion reflects ticket history, streaming numbers and promoter confidence as much as fan enthusiasm.