AWARD-WINNING female rapper Tania “Young Gemini” Seremwe says despite their musical potential, female artistes face many obstacles because music producers and directors request sexual favours to release their works.

This is greatly demoralising many young female talents, Seremwe told NewsDay Life & Style.

“I was on a National Arts Council panel with some delegates in the industry and the complaints among female artistes are all the same. There are producers withholding projects from artistes because they turned down their sexual advances,” Young Gemini said.

“It is unfortunate because people assume female artistes are not serious about their craft, but some of these things are happening and demoralising a lot of young talented individuals. It is even worse if a female artiste initiates the process to producers and directors in exchange for free services. This sets us back, encouraging more perverted behaviour to occur and affect dedicated female artistes who want to be heard and succeed through hard work.”

She lamented that cutthroat competition among the country’s female rappers is at the bottom, while those at the top collaborate for better projects.

“Only bottom barrel feeders compete for scraps, artistes at the top are collaborating behind the scenes because we understand we are stronger together and division is for the weak,” she said.

Despite facing many obstacles, including lack of funding, very few safe spaces to create music and cyber bullying, Young Gemini has scrapped through and acknowledged her fans for their unwavering support. She also credited her success to her remaining relevant in the music industry by offering what her followers want to hear.

“Sometimes I can go undercover to hear what is on the streets so that I can make more relatable content. Female artists are always going to be sexualised, but I try my best to divert my fan base from such content. My social media accounts have no thirst traps, but music. I want people to remember me for my art more than anything else,” she added.

Young Gemini believes hip hop has taken over the music industry as gospel and dancehall musicians are venturing into the genre. She added that she is making strides to create better music and hopes to secure more brand partnerships this year.

She scooped Best Female award twice in a row at the Zim Hip Hop Awards in 2022 and 2023 against musicians such as Kikky badass, Natasha Muz, Noluntu J, Banshee, Millz Million, Phreshy, Shian and Brucella.