By Olawunmi Aranmolate
In a space where music producers are often hidden behind the spotlight, Gbots is making her presence felt while bringing other women along with her. Her journey began as a church instrumentalist and has since taken her through programs like Sarz Academy, Audiogirl x Mavin Bootcamp, The Nalha Initiative, and MBA for Africa, each experience sharpening her craft and vision. Today, as the founder of WeAreProducHERs and a new member of Tems’ Leading Vibe Initiative, she is using her platform to champion visibility and representation for women in production. In this conversation, Gbots opens up about her beginnings, her vision, and the movement she is building for the next generation.
Can you walk us through how your journey into music production started and the moment you knew this was the path for you?
I’ve always been into music, from singing in church to learning instruments like piano, guitar, and eventually the saxophone. My introduction to production was very random; I never planned to learn it, it just came to me. During the start of the lockdown, when we were told to leave school, some instrumentalists in my chapel were sharing software and files, and that’s how I got FL Studio.
I started learning on my own, and that’s really where it began. I knew it was the right path for me about a year later when I lost all my files and had to start over from scratch. Instead of giving up, I found even more drive and knew I was fully committed.
You’ve built an impressive portfolio working with artists like Olamide, CKay, and P Prime. Which collaboration has pushed or inspired you the most, and why?
All my collaborations inspire me in one way or another. I learn from everyone I work with because each brings a new perspective.
Founding WeAreProducHERs is such a powerful move. What gap did you see in the industry that inspired you to create it, and how has the response been?
When I started, it was glaring how underrepresented women were in music production. I had the idea for WeAreProducHERs about a year into producing, and eventually brought it to life to create a space where women could collaborate, connect, and gain more visibility. The response has been beautiful, and like I always say, representation is what matters most.
Congratulations on your acceptance into the Leading Vibe Initiative! What excites you the most about being part of a program championed by Tems?
What excites me most about the Leading Vibe Initiative is the community, the opportunity to learn from and connect with other women and professionals in the industry.
You’ve been part of Sarz Academy, Audiogirl x Mavin Bootcamp, MBA for Africa, and now the Leading Vibe Initiative. How have these experiences shaped your craft and outlook as a producer?
Every one of these experiences equipped me with the knowledge, growth, visibility, and tools to be where I am today as a music producer.
From your perspective, what do you think is the biggest challenge women producers still face in the African music space, and how do you hope to change that narrative?
Representation and visibility, and with WeareProducHers, we are changing the narrative by creating a space that spotlights women in music production.
Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave behind as both a producer and a community builder?
My legacy is to be a multi-international, multi-genre music producer and a blueprint for producers, especially women.
At her core, Gbots is driven by the same vision that first pulled her into production: to create and to make space for others to create too. Through WeAreProducHERs and her growing body of work, she is steadily shaping a future where women producers are seen and heard. Her journey is still unfolding, but what is already clear is the mark she intends to leave on the industry.
