Tiwatope Savage professionally known as Tiwa Savage is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tiwa who has been described as the Queen of Afrobeats has appeared on BBC’s list of the 100 inspirational and innovative women for 2017, and also made the Women4Africa 2022 Goldlist.
Early Life
Born on 5 February 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Tiwa and her family relocated to London when she was 11 years old. While attending secondary school in London, she was a trombone player for her school’s orchestra band.
She graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Kent and started working at The Royal Bank of Scotland. She later enrolled at Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree in professional music in 2007. Tiwa also participated in the UK edition of The X Factor and was amongst the last 24, she became the 12th contestant to be evicted in the last 24.
Early Career
Tiwa began her music career doing backup vocals for artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. She signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009.
Inspired by the growth of the Nigerian music industry, Tiwa moved back to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records in 2012, making an appearance on the label’s 2012 compilation album Solar Plexus.
On July 3, 2013, her debut studio album Once Upon a Time was released. It was supported by seven singles: “Kele Kele Love“, “Love Me (3x)“, “Without My Heart“, “Ife Wa Gbona“, “Folarin“, “Olorun Mi” and “Eminado“. The album was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014.
Her second studio album, titled R.E.D, was released on 19 December 2015. In June 2016, Savage signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation. In September 2017, she released her debut EP Sugarcane. R.E.D and Sugarcane have both been nominated for Best Album at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Tiwa won Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win the category.
In May 2019, she announced her record deal with Universal Music Group and exit from Mavin Records. Tiwa proceeded to release her third studio album Celia in August 2020. It produced four singles: “Attention“, “Dangerous Love“, “Koroba“, and “Temptation“. Her second extended play, titled Water & Garri, was released on 20 August 2021.
Tiwa sings in English and Yoruba; and her music is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop.
Personal Life
Savage was married to Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun. The traditional wedding was held on 23 November 2013, while the couple’s white wedding was held on 26 April 2014. Tiwa and TeeBillz welcomed their child (son), Jamil Balogun in 2015
Following some controversial accusations from Tee Billz, Tiwa announced that said her marriage to him was over in 2016.
Net Worth
According to reports, Tiwa has an estimated net worth of over $5 Million.
