BBC Introducing Artist Tabi Gazele: Empowering Women in the Music Industry
Nigerian-Australian artist Tabi Gazele is a multi-talented force in the music industry, known for her roles as a singer, songwriter, and founder of Butterfly Future. Notable highlights include her BBC1 All Together Now performance, appearances at Sofar Sounds, Dubai World Expo and features on BBC Music Introducing. Tabi's achievements receiving the PRS For Music Women Make Music Fund, and participating in prestigious songwriting camps like Adesso x Sentric Music. Through Butterfly Future, she uplifts disadvantaged people through music, sports, and the arts. Tabi Gazele's global influence continues to grow as we engage with her in conversation.
RIFFIDUM:
Can you start by telling us about you and your project Butterfly Future?
TABI. G:
I'm Tabi Gazele. I'm from Australia, but my heritage is Nigerian. That Nigerian culture of music was always around, expressing everything. So we grew up with music around the house, even in church. It was like family and connection. I started connecting to music in a deeper way. My family had a band, and I was the youngest, trying to copy my siblings, singing, writing, and making noise. As time went on, I realized I was really passionate about it and its power to connect people. Through different iterations of music, from covers bands to touring as a backing vocalist, I wanted to tell my own story through original music. I've experienced the ups and downs of being an independent artist, sometimes fully independent, sometimes managed, with different teams and support coming and going. I've learned to navigate this journey by finding the right information, learning from peers, and realizing that many of us face similar challenges. That's why I started having collective conversations, especially with women in their late 20s to 40s, who were feeling lost in the industry. I realized there weren't enough opportunities for people like me, so I decided to create them. That's how Butterfly Future, a non-profit, came into being, inspired by the collective cry from people I admire. Music has been instrumental in my life, exposing me to different experiences. I believe it's more than just a tool for entertainment; it's a powerful force for connection and collaboration. That's why I want to support others in the industry, especially women, who may not be getting enough support financially and emotionally. "More Than Music", my first project under Butterfly Future, which aims to address this gap by providing support and opportunities for women in music, both front-end and back-end, regardless of age. Ageism is still prevalent in the industry, and I want to challenge that narrative.
" I started "More Than Music", a program aimed at supporting women in the music industry, addressing the lack of funding and well-being support."
RIFFIDUM:
Can you speak to us more about your initiative "More Than Music"
TABI. G:
As I mentioned, music has been incredibly impactful for me. It's provided exposure and allowed me to tour the world, giving me experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise. Music is a powerful tool, not just entertainment; it's real and transformative. It opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations, fostering a sense of community. I want to contribute to an industry that uplifts rather than competes, where people can thrive. That's why I started "More Than Music", a program aimed at supporting women in the music industry, addressing the lack of funding and well-being support. While I may not have all the resources, I believe in the importance of feeling empowered to make a difference. With partners like Maverick Soundz and The B-Side on board, we're working to create a more inclusive environment, especially for older women facing ageism. These conversations are still relevant.
RIFFIDUM:
How are you navigating that idea of of people putting barriers in front of you such as ageism such as being a woman and woman of color?
TABI. G:
I've just been through a life journey, you know? It's like that for a few of my friends too, because it's kind of like navigating a lone-ranger path. So, it's that feeling of, "Okay, if I don't fit in somewhere, I've got to find another way." If I can't take a direct route to where I want to go, I'll find a detour, I'll find an underground path, I'll find a ladder. I'm going to have to find another way to adapt and get to where I want to be. I've let go. You know, I've let go of the expectation of where I have to be and accepted exactly where I am because I know the generation ahead has paved the way for the opportunities I have now. So, I'm just considering that in the grand scheme of things. Even if the way I've done things or the opportunities I haven't had align with the career I dreamed of as a little girl, I've accepted that whatever I can get is what I'm going to get now. I acknowledge the challenges, I acknowledge that yes, I'm seen a certain way because of the circles around me. Most of the time it equals, "You're going to have to do it yourself." I've just had to ask, "Okay, what can I add to my skillset? What kind of education can I pursue? What's been amazing to see is support coming from the community and people with similar experiences saying, "Hey, what do you need?" For instance, some of my friends who are amazing producers might offer advice, and in return, I can help them write a funding application or support them in other ways. I've found that I've had to embrace that mentality more because the barriers are still there in the industry.
"I just wish, especially for women, that you didn't have to consider changing your own values"
RIFFIDUM:
The "Misogyny in Music Report" proves that not much has changed for women in the industry - we're in 2024, what changes do you wish the music industry would make?
TABI. G:
I just wish, especially for women, that you didn't have to consider changing your own values just to make certain decisions that others might not have to make, just to reach a particular place. I wish that wasn't even a consideration. I still see that some of the most successful journeys begin in a certain place, but as they climb higher, it's like they have to compromise more. I know that's not what you were implying at the start, and I understand what our industry can be like. I know the power of having a platform that suggests certain behaviors will bring you more success. But I don't believe that should be a requirement. I recently watched a video by a world-class artist who had just been at the Grammys, and in the video, the women were barely clothed while the men were fully dressed. I'd love to see more diversity in how artists present themselves. If revealing outfits truly represent your brand, that's fine, but it shouldn't feel like it's one of the only ways to succeed. You're so much more than your appearance. Despite telling ourselves this, there's still a pervasive image-focused culture that can force compromises we never wanted to make in the first place. It's a cycle that feeds into how we're perceived and treated. Where does it end? So, I wish the industry didn't make us feel like power only comes from one narrow avenue, because there has to be more.
"Don't be so caught up in what success looks like for everyone else. You don't have to measure yourself against standards that aren't necessary for you."
RIFFIDUM:
Mini Tabby, at the start of her music journey - what advice would you give her?
TABI. G:
Don't be so caught up in what success looks like for everyone else. You don't have to measure yourself against standards that aren't necessary for you. The music industry is vast, and there are countless ways to exist within it. As I've gotten older, I've realized that I don't have to achieve success in a specific way to feel fulfilled. The experiences along the journey are valuable in themselves. So, going back to Butterfly Future, community is a huge part of it. What I've found is that being in touch with myself first has been crucial. When I connect with something that feels real and authentic, I know it's a space I want to be in. For example, I came across Daniela Rivera at the Women in Music Summit. I messaged her on Instagram, and when she resonated with the vision of More Than Music, it felt like a perfect fit. Finding a community that aligns with my beliefs and values allows me to be myself without feeling like an outsider. There are so many communities out there, and it's okay not to fit into all of them. When you find your tribe, it's a mutual exchange of love and support. So, yeah, it's about finding that tribe and building each other up.
RIFFIDUM:
Shout out to Daniela Rivera! A little bit of a gear shift, is there an artist at the moment who is a must have on your playlist?
TABI. G:
NAO - It's very nostalgic and classy, yet still modern. Whatever it is, I can just slot it into my playlist. Whether I'm at the gym, vibing, or just grooving along.
"In my later years, I made a more mindful choice to work with more women. I wish I had done that from the start."
RIFFIDUM:
What has been A “maverick moment” for you so far?
TABI. G:
I think realizing that in my journey, most of my world has revolved around men in the music industry. As a live performer, my band is always men, producers in the studio are always men, the tour crew is predominantly male. So naturally, I found myself surrounded by men most of the time. I think the pivotal moments have been, in my later years, when I made a more mindful choice to work with more women. I wish I had done that from the start. There's something different that happens, something completely different in the way we approach things, the way we treat each other, and how we navigate scenarios.
Finding that and championing it, that's my Maverick thing.
You can connect with Tabi and Butterfly Future on:
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