Tiwatope Savage, famously known as Tiwa Savage, was born in Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria. At the age of 11, she moved with her family to London, United Kingdom. Living abroad exposed her to a diverse music culture, influencing her future sound, which blends Afrobeat with R&B and pop elements.
Savage attended secondary school in London, where she was active in music and played the trombone for her school’s orchestra band. She later graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in Accounting. Despite her academic focus, her passion for music remained strong.
Determined to pursue a career in music, she enrolled at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she graduated with a degree in Professional Music in 2007. Berklee equipped her with the technical and performance skills that would later define her artistry.
Full Name: Tiwatope Savage Stage Name: Tiwa Savage Date of Birth: February 5, 1980 Place of Birth: Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria Nationality: Nigerian Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Entrepreneur Genres: Afrobeats, R&B, Pop Years Active: 2006–present
Career Beginnings
Tiwa Savage’s professional music career began in the UK as a backup vocalist for several international stars, including George Michael, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, and Kelly Clarkson. She also competed in the UK edition of The X Factor in 2006, although she was eliminated early.
In 2009, she signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, where she wrote songs for artists such as Babyface, Fantasia Barrino, Kat Deluna, and Monica. She also co-wrote “Catch Me” for Monica and contributed to the Grammy-nominated track “Collard Greens & Cornbread” from Fantasia’s Back to Me album.
Breakthrough and Rise to Fame
Despite her success abroad, Tiwa Savage desired to contribute to the growing Nigerian music industry. She returned to Nigeria around 2010 and signed with Mavin Records (founded by Don Jazzy) in 2012.
In 2013, she released her debut studio album, “Once Upon a Time”, featuring hits like:
Kele Kele Love
Love Me (3x)
Without My Heart (featuring Don Jazzy)
The album showcased her versatility and established her as one of Nigeria’s leading female artists. Her distinct sound — a blend of Afrobeats, soul, pop, and R&B — earned her multiple awards and nominations both locally and internationally.
Tiwa’s subsequent albums further solidified her place in the music scene:
“R.E.D” (2015) — Featuring tracks like “My Darlin” and “Standing Ovation”, the album was a critical and commercial success.
“Sugarcane” (2017 EP) — Produced hits like “All Over”.
“Celia” (2020) — Released under Universal Music Group, included singles like “Dangerous Love” and “Koroba”.
International Recognition
In 2016, Tiwa Savage signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, further pushing her onto the international stage.
She has performed at major global events such as:
The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA)
Global Citizen Festival
Made in America Festival
In 2018, Tiwa became the first woman to win the “Best African Act” at the MTV Europe Music Awards. She also made history as one of the few African artists to perform at the coronation concert of King Charles III in 2023.
Musical Style and Influence
Tiwa Savage’s music blends Afrobeat, R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences. She often sings in English and Yoruba, reflecting her Nigerian heritage and global outlook. Her lyrics typically explore themes of love, empowerment, relationships, and female strength.
As one of the leading female voices in Afrobeats, Tiwa has inspired a generation of African female artists, paving the way for broader international recognition of African music.
Acting and Other Ventures
Beyond music, Tiwa Savage has ventured into acting. She made her acting debut in the Nigerian stage adaptation of For Coloured Girls and has appeared in various TV commercials and brand campaigns.
She is also a businesswoman, involved in fashion, beauty, and real estate ventures. Over the years, she has signed endorsement deals with brands like:
Pepsi
Forte Oil
Maggi
Tecno Mobile
Personal Life
Tiwa Savage married Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun in 2013 in a high-profile wedding ceremony. The couple welcomed a son, Jamil Balogun, in 2015. However, their marriage ended in 2016 following publicized marital issues.
Despite personal challenges, Tiwa remains a devoted mother and frequently shares her love for her son across her social media platforms.
Awards and Achievements
Tiwa Savage has amassed numerous accolades, including:
MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act (2018)
She is consistently ranked among the most influential and powerful African women in entertainment.
Discography
Albums and EPs:
Once Upon a Time (2013)
R.E.D (2015)
Sugarcane (2017, EP)
Celia (2020)
Water & Garri (2021, EP)
Selected Hit Singles:
Kele Kele Love
Love Me (3x)
Eminado (feat. Don Jazzy)
My Darlin’
All Over
Ma Lo (feat. Wizkid)
Koroba
Somebody’s Son (feat. Brandy)
Legacy
Tiwa Savage is often referred to as the “Queen of Afrobeats.” She has played a major role in bringing African music, particularly Afrobeats, to the global stage. Her work continues to influence both upcoming and established artists worldwide. With her powerful voice, magnetic stage presence, and business acumen, Tiwa remains a force to be reckoned with in the global entertainment industry.
CHALLENGES
1. Breaking Into the Nigerian Music Industry
When Tiwa returned to Nigeria around 2010, the music scene was heavily male-dominated.
There were very few successful female artists, and Afrobeats was largely ruled by men like Wizkid, Davido, and D’banj.
Tiwa faced criticism for her style, which some called “too Western” or “too bold” compared to the conservative expectations of Nigerian audiences.
She had to fight hard to prove that a female artist could be commercially successful and still command respect.
2. Criticism Over Image and Fashion Choices
Tiwa often faced backlash over her outfits and public image.
Early in her Nigerian career, some critics accused her of dressing too provocatively for a female Afrobeats singer.
In a very culturally conservative society, where female modesty is heavily emphasized, she was often unfairly judged more harshly than her male counterparts.
She defended herself by saying she should not be judged by a different standard simply because she was a woman.
3. Marital Problems and Public Scandal
In 2016, Tiwa Savage’s marriage to her manager and husband, Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, publicly collapsed.
Tee Billz posted a series of accusations on social media, alleging infidelity, financial control, and mistreatment.
Tiwa responded with an emotional televised interview, denying the accusations and revealing painful details about Tee Billz’s alleged drug abuse and financial mismanagement.
This public scandal threatened her brand image, but she was widely praised for her honesty and dignity during the crisis.
After years of success under Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, Tiwa moved on to an international deal with Universal Music Group and Roc Nation.
Transitions like these are often tough for artists because they involve negotiating new contracts, building new teams, and sometimes losing old connections.
International expansion also meant she had to compete with much bigger global stars, where Afrobeats was not as dominant.
5. Piracy and Industry Challenges
Like many Nigerian artists, Tiwa Savage has battled piracy, poor music infrastructure, and limited royalties.
In Nigeria, artists make most of their money from live shows because recorded music is easily pirated.
Building a financially sustainable music career in such an environment is difficult, especially early on.
6. Leaks and Private Life Breach
In 2021, Tiwa faced a major personal challenge when an intimate video of her and her partner was leaked online.
She admitted publicly that someone was trying to blackmail her with the tape.
Instead of hiding, she bravely addressed it before it could be weaponized against her.
Though it sparked controversy, her openness earned her widespread sympathy and respect for confronting the situation head-on.
7. Gender Bias
Throughout her career, Tiwa Savage has dealt with the challenge of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
She has often spoken about the double standards female artists face compared to male counterparts, in terms of behavior expectations, respect, pay, and opportunities.
Despite these barriers, she emerged as one of the top-selling and most respected female artists in Africa.
In Summary:
✅ Tiwa Savage has faced gender bias, harsh public scrutiny, marital scandal, image criticism, industry struggles, and personal violations — but she overcame them all with resilience, talent, and strategic career moves.
