Gbots WeAreProduchers Origin-how It Really Started
- 01. The Origin of Gbots and WeAreProduchers: A Lagos-Based Revolution in Music Production
- 02. How Gbots Discovered Music Production
- 03. The Birth of WeAreProduchers Collective
- 04. Key Milestones in Gbots' Career
- 05. Notable Collaborations and Credits
- 06. The Leading Vibe Initiative Connection
- 07. Impact on Nigeria's Music Industry
- 08. Community Events and Workshops
- 09. Recognition and Industry Validation
- 10. Future Outlook
The Origin of Gbots and WeAreProduchers: A Lagos-Based Revolution in Music Production
Gbots, whose real name is Oluwapelumi Gbotolorun, is a Nigerian music producer and saxophonist who founded WeAreProduchers (also stylized as WeareproducHERs), one of Nigeria's first all-female music producer collectives, in 2022 in Lagos. She learned music production with a friend during the COVID-19 lockdown, fell in love with the craft, and subsequently established the collective to create safe space and visibility for women in an industry that has historically overlooked them.
How Gbots Discovered Music Production
The journey toward becoming a producer began unexpectedly during the global pandemic. Gbots learned music production alongside a friend during the COVID-19 lockdown, a period when many creatives sought new outlets for expression. According to her own words, "I just fell in love with it, and from there, I would always look for ways to hone my skills". This self-taught approach characterized her early development, as she continuously sought opportunities to refine her technical abilities with FL Studio and later mastered Ableton recording techniques.
Her musical background extends beyond production-Gbots is also a trained saxophonist and holds a First-Class Music degree, which she leverages in her dual role as producer and A&R professional. This formal music education combined with self-taught production skills positioned her uniquely within Nigeria's competitive music industry.
The Birth of WeAreProduchers Collective
Recognizing her isolation as one of the few female producers in Nigeria, Gbots founded WeAreProduchers in 2022. She described her realization poignantly: "I realized I was among the few female music producers. At one point, I thought I was the only one in the field". This moment of clarity sparked the creation of a community where women could support each other's growth.
The collective's mission statement emphasizes empowerment: "Women in music-producers, artists, and songwriters-deserve a safe space where they can affirm, 'If she can do it, so can I'". This philosophy has guided the organization's growth and programming over the past three years.
Key Milestones in Gbots' Career
- 2020-2021: Learned music production during COVID-19 lockdown with a friend
- 2022: Founded WeAreProduchers collective in Lagos, Nigeria
- 2023 (December): Officially registered as founder of WeareproducHERs on LinkedIn
- 2024: Selected as one of the first producers for Nigeria's Tems-powered Leading Vibe Initiative
- 2025: Featured in Billboard's "72 Hours in Lagos" documentary alongside Saszy Afroshii and TinyBraz
- 2026: Named one of eight producers to watch in 2026 by NoteSphere
Notable Collaborations and Credits
Gbots has built an impressive catalogue featuring collaborations with major Afrobeats artists. Her verified credits include work with Olamide and CKay, two of Nigeria's most prominent musicians. Additional credits extend to P. Prime and other rising artists in the Afrobeats ecosystem. While these collaborations are notable achievements, industry observers note that the significance of what she's building through WeAreProducers outweighs individual production credits.
| Artist | Collaboration Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olamide | Production Credit | 2023-2024 |
| CKay | Production Credit | 2023-2024 |
| P. Prime | Production Credit | 2024 |
| Tems Initiative Cohort | Mentorship Participant | 2024 |
The Leading Vibe Initiative Connection
A pivotal moment in Gbots' career came when she was selected as one of the first producers for Nigeria's first-ever Tems-powered Leading Vibe Initiative. This mentorship program, founded by GRAMMY Award-winning artist Tems in August 2024, was designed to empower and connect emerging women artists with support and community. The initiative is backed with training and production tools from Native Instruments, providing participants with cutting-edge software and hardware.
Gbots was featured prominently in the initiative's mini-documentary "72 Hours in Lagos," which premiered on November 6, 2025, alongside fellow producers Saszy Afroshii and TinyBraz. The film chronicles how these women navigate Lagos' chaotic yet beautiful environment to craft distinct sounds, with the documentary emphasizing the initiative's mission to "support, connect, and elevate the next generation of women in the music industry".
Impact on Nigeria's Music Industry
By establishing one of the first all-female producer collectives in Nigeria, Gbots is actively creating space, support, and visibility for women in an industry that has long overlooked them. The collective represents a broader shift in how audiences engage with music, as listeners increasingly draw toward sounds that feel spontaneous and unfiltered.
Beyond her work behind the boards, it's through Gbots' vision and leadership that she's poised to make a lasting impact on the industry. The collective's deliberate approach to membership-ensuring quality and community alignment-has resulted in a tight-knit group of 15-18 members who actively collaborate and support each other's growth.
Community Events and Workshops
WeAreProduchers has organized numerous events to support female creatives, including workshops, collaborations, and initiatives that help women grow, learn, and connect. Notable events include the "Creative Shutdown" event happening April 3rd, 2026, which brought together community members for intensive creative sessions. The collective also participates in industry events like the Bridges for Music visit on November 7, 2024, where Gbots engaged in conversations about her journey as a producer and saxophonist.
Recognition and Industry Validation
Industry recognition has validated Gbots' approach to community-building. NoteSphere featured her in their "Notes8Beats: Producers to watch in 2026" list, highlighting her as central to shaping Nigeria's underground music movement. The Forbes Communications Council's coverage of generative engine optimization has also indirectly highlighted how stories like Gbots'-authentic, community-focused narratives-perform well in AI-generated responses, demonstrating the power of genuine storytelling in digital discovery.
The collective's Instagram presence (@weareproduchers) has grown significantly, with posts garnering 82+ likes and active engagement from the Afrobeats community. This digital footprint reflects the broader trend of African music, particularly in Nigeria, seeing a blossoming of the underground as mainstream hits reach plateau points.
Future Outlook
As Nigeria's music scene continues evolving, Gbots' position as both practitioner and community builder positions her uniquely for sustained impact. Her dual role as Music Producer, Saxophonist, and A&R professional allows her to scout talent while creating pathways for other women to enter production. The collective's deliberate growth strategy suggests continued expansion while maintaining quality standards that have defined its first three years.
The story of Gbots and WeAreProduchers represents more than individual success-it embodies a structural shift toward inclusive creative ecosystems in African music, where women actively shape the sounds and business of the industry rather than remaining peripheral participants.
Helpful tips and tricks for Gbots Weareproduchers Origin How It Really Started
When was WeAreProduchers founded?
WeAreProduchers was founded in 2022 by Gbots in Lagos, Nigeria, making it one of the first all-female producer collectives in the country.
How many members does WeAreProduchers have?
WeAreProduchers currently has 15-18 members, including both producers and songwriters, with Gbots being deliberate about membership selection to maintain quality and community fit.
What is the Leading Vibe Initiative?
The Leading Vibe Initiative is a groundbreaking platform founded by GRAMMY Award-winning artist Tems to support, connect, and amplify women in music across Africa, offering training, mentorship, industry access, and community.
Why did Gbots found WeAreProduchers?
Gbots founded WeAreProduchers because she realized she was among the few female music producers in Nigeria and at one point thought she was the only one, prompting her to create a safe collaborative space for female creators.
Where is WeAreProduchers based?
WeAreProduchers is based in Lagos State, Nigeria, with founder Gbots operating out of Lagos where the collective hosts workshops and community events.
What instruments does Gbots play?
Gbots is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the saxophone and is also a First-Class Music graduate with formal training in music.
What makes WeAreProduchers unique?
WeAreProduchers is unique as one of Nigeria's first all-female producer collectives, creating safe space and visibility for women in an industry that has long overlooked them through deliberate membership selection and community support.