Who is Tiwa Savage? All You Need To Know About Nigerian Songstress & Her Controversies

Table of Contents

Key Facts About Tiwa Savage

She is a Nigerian singer and artist.
Her ancestry is Yoruba.
Tiwatope Savage is her name.
Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop are her genres.
She was born February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos.
Jamil Balogun is the name of her son.
She identifies as a Christian.
She sang backup for George Michael and Mary J. Blige at 16.
She left Mavin Records for Universal Music Group in May 2019.
She’s worth $9 million.

Who is Tiwa Savage?

Tiwa Savage is a musician and singer from Nigeria. She was born in Isale Eko, Lagos, on February 5, 1980. She moved to London at 11 for secondary education. She started singing backup for George Michael and Mary J. Blige five years later. In 2009, Tiwa Savage got a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing after competing in The X Factor UK. In 2012, Tiwa Savage returned to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records. She featured on the label’s compilation album Solar Plexus in 2012. Her first studio album, Once Upon a Time, was released July 3, 2013. Seven singles—”Kele Kele Love,” “Love Me (3x),” “Without My Heart,” “Ife Wa Gbona,” “Folarin,” “Olorun Mi,” and “Eminado”—supported it. The 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated the album for Best Album of the Year and The Headies for Best R&B/Pop Album.

R.E.D is Tiwa Savage’s second studio album. “My Darlin” and “Standing Ovation” were two of its singles. Roc Nation managed and published Tiwa Savage in June 2016. She released Sugarcane in September 2017. The Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated R.E.D and Sugarcane for Best Album. Tiwa Savage became the first female MTV Europe Music Awards Best African Act winner in November 2018. She left Mavin Records and signed with Universal Music Group in May 2019. Tiwa Savage performs Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop in English and Yoruba. Tiwa Savage has won numerous awards for her music. She has raised money for Nigerian schools, breast cancer screening, and youth empowerment.

Tiwa Savage married her ex-manager Tunji Balogun, also known as Tee Billz. The Ark in Lekki hosted their traditional wedding on November 23, 2013. White wedding ceremonies for the pair took place at Dubai’s Armani Hotel on April 26, 2014. Tiwa Savage and Balogun announced their first child on January 1, 2015. Tiwa Savage had their son six months later. Tunji Balogun accused his wife and mother-in-law of infidelity and witchcraft on April 28, 2016. Tiwa Savage addressed her husband’s lengthy marriage-related social media remarks in a 45-minute interview with This Day and Pulse Nigeria. She denied cheating and accused her husband of financial mismanagement, drug addiction, and abandonment. She declared her divorce.

Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay fought at an expensive Lekki pub on June 8, 2021. In a viral video, Tiwa Savage was seen objecting to Seyi Shay’s greeting and cursing her. According to Premium Times, Seyi Shay dissed Tiwa Savage in 2017. Tiwa Savage also refused to discuss Seyi Shay’s Pepsi sponsorship in a 2015 radio interview. A sex tape of Tiwa Savage and her lover was leaked and used for extortion and blackmail, the singer said in an interview on October 8, 2021; the tape’s contents, which included vaginal intercourse, were revealed on October 19, 2021. Some fans believe the sex tape was a PR gimmick. Mercy Aigbe, Harrysong, and others have supported Tiwa Savage’s sex tape controversy on social media. She afterwards posted “Change that sh*t to the game and never speak on it again” on Instagram, suggesting supporters ignore what they saw. Tiwa Savage addressed the leaked sex tape in her song “Loaded” with Asake. Tiwa Savage’s verse in “Loaded” stirred controversy online, with some applauding her bravery and others saying it wasn’t necessary. The song, produced by Magicsstixx and directed by TG Omori, is Amapiano.

Tiwa Savage Early Life

Tiwa Savage was born on February 5, 1980, in the neighbourhood of Isale Eko, which is located within the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Her parents, Prince Olanrewaju Savage and Cecilia Savage, gave birth to her. She moved to the United Kingdom for her secondary studies when she was 11 years old. Her full name is Tiwatope Savage, and her ancestry is Yoruba.

Tiwa Savage Education

Tiwa Savage attended elementary school in Lagos. She studied accounting at the University of Kent after moving to the UK with her parents at eleven years old. She worked briefly at The Royal Bank of Scotland after graduating before pursuing music. In 2007, she earned a professional music degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tiwa Savage Career

Tiwa Savage played trombone in her high school orchestra. At 16, she sang backup for George Michael, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Andrea Bocelli, and Ms. Dynamite. Tiwa Savage reached the final 24 of the 2006 UK X Factor, although she was ousted 12th. She struggled under the spotlight. Sony/ATV signed Tiwa Savage in 2009. She wrote for Babyface, Kat Deluna, Fantasia, Monica, and Mýa during the deal. She wrote Monica’s soulful ballad “Catch Me”. Her 2010 Grammy nomination for “Collard Greens & Cornbread” with Fantasia came from their collaboration. Tiwa Savage wrote Jaicko’s “Oh Yeah” with Snoop Dogg and Deluna’s “Push Push” with Akon. She sang background on Whitney Houston’s I Look to You (2009). In 2012, Tiwa Savage returned to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records.

Tiwa Savage and IllRymz co-hosted Nigerian Idol’s second season in December 2011. For Coloured Girls, starring Joke Silva and Ireti Doyle, was her cinematic debut. On February 5, 2013, Tiwa Savage engaged to her former manager and husband Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, with whom she founded 323 Entertainment. In 2012, she joined Mavin Records and was one of the lead acts on the label’s compilation album Solar Plexus (2012). She met Keith Harris, Derek Pate, Scott Coleman, Radar Ellis, and Darien Dorsey at Berklee. She told Brenda Pike she worked with Chuck Harmony, Warren “Oak” Felder, and Sossick. Her debut studio album would feature songs in her native language. The 2012 “Oyi” remix featured Tiwa Savage. She recorded the song before working with Flavour. Tiwa Savage sang “Arise, O Compatriots” for Ndani Sessions on Nigeria’s 52nd independence day. She sang “Higher” with Waje, Praiz, Timi Dakolo, and Pamela Egoh for Ovation Red Carol in November 2012. Tiwa Savage began recording her 2010 debut album Once Upon a Time. In May 2013, she hosted an album listening party at Ikoyi’s Wheatbaker Hotel. She presented the album’s track list and featured Iceberg Slim, Sarkodie, and General Pype at the listening party. The album debuted in Nigeria on July 3, 2013. iTunes released it a day before its official release. Tiwa Savage called the album Once Upon a Time to highlight her life’s positives. She told aspiring artists that she was a tiny kid in Isale Eko who aspired to be a star. Seven singles—”Kele Kele Love,” “Love Me (3x),” “Without My Heart,” “Ife Wa Gbona,” “Folarin,” “Olorun Mi,” and “Eminado”—supported the album. “Middle Passage” is a political song about African males living abroad. 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated Once Upon a Time for Best Album. 2014 Headies nominee for Best R&B/Pop Album. Tiwa Savage has participated in several Nigerian youth empowerment and breast cancer screening campaigns. She raised money for her hometown school-building organisation. In July 2013, MTN Nigeria signed Tiwa Savage for $30 million. She also endorsed Forte Oil, Pepsi, and Maggi.

Tiwa Savage’s Valentine’s Day song “Love in Yellow” was produced by Spellz. It includes classic R&B and funk. Don Jazzy produced Reekado Banks’ 2014 song “Turn It Up” with Tiwa Savage. Mavin Records released “Dorobucci,” featuring Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Dr SID, D’Prince, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Di’Ja, on May 1, 2014. Foston Musik premiered Patoranking’s “Girlie O” remix with Tiwa Savage on May 19, 2014. WizzyPro produced it. Moe Musa directed the music video in London. Tiwa Savage, Miguel, Flavour N’abania, Davido, Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Oskido, and Professor performed at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards on June 7. “Wanted” was directed by Moe Musa and released on May 28, 2014. It shows Tiwa Savage caressing herself in a nude bodysuit. The video was widely criticised on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Tiwa Savage, Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz, and Davido recorded “Africa Rising” for DStv’s campaign in June 2014. The campaign encouraged Africans to participate in community-based social investment projects. South African production company Callback Dreams directed the “Africa Rising” music video. At the Mauritius Africa Rising launch, the performers sang the song. Tiwa Savage released her second studio album, Romance, Expression, and Dance, on December 19, 2015. Don Jazzy, Olamide, Dr SID, Iceberg Slim, 2face Idibia, D’Prince, Busy Signal, Reekado Banks, and Olamide featured on the album. It was produced by Don Jazzy, Baby Fresh, Altims, Spellz, and P2J. “Standing Ovation” and “My Darlin” accompanied the album. Wizkid and P-Square sang on its February 2016 deluxe edition. 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated R.E.D for Best Album. Pregnant Tiwa Savage recorded the album. On December 21, 2015, MTN Music began streaming the album for free. It became the platform’s most-streamed album in 24 hours. I-am-red.com promoted the CD. Roc Nation managed and published Tiwa Savage in June 2016. She became the label’s first Nigerian artist by announcing the contract on Instagram on July 29, 2016.

Jay Z’s Made in America Festival’s Liberty Stage hosted Tiwa Savage. She performed “Best of Me” with Young Paris (Remix). Sugarcane was Tiwa Savage’s debut EP. Wizkid, Spellz, Baby Fresh, Maleek Berry, P2J, and others collaborated on it. The English-Yoruba song examines love. 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominated Sugarcane for Best Album. After recording so much music for her future album, Tiwa Savage decided to release the EP. Sugarcane blends Afropop, funk, house, pop, R&B, and trap. Tiwa Savage headlined The O2 Indigo on August 24, 2018. General admission tickets sold out hours beforehand. Don Jazzy, Reekado Banks, Di’Ja, Dr SID, WSTRN, Awilo Longomba, Mystro, and Alternate Sound Band performed at the concert. Tiwa Savage’s Berwick Street pop-up shop preceded the show. Tiwa Savage became the first female MTV Europe Music Awards Best African Act winner in November 2018. Tiwa Savage released “One” on 15 November 2018. Its producer, Killer Tunez, emphasises thankfulness. Tiwa Savage performed at the 2018 Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on December 2. Her festival appearance was reported in July 2018. “One” video was released on December 7, 2018. Clarence Peters directed it at Osoroko Beach in Lagos, Nigeria. After copyright complaints, YouTube removed “One” in January 2019. YouTube restored the video on March 2, 2019, after failing to verify a copyright violation. The 2019 Wireless Festival adds Tiwa Savage on March 13. Universal Music Group signed Tiwa Savage to a seven-year publishing and distribution deal on May 2, 2019. She left Mavin Records. The label’s executive producers are Regime Music Societe’s Efe Ogbeni and Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna. The label will distribute Tiwa Savage’s future music in over 60 countries. Tiwa Savage co-wrote “Keys to the Kingdom” for Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack in July 2019. Mr. Eazi joined her on the track. Tiwa Savage launched her Motown Records debut, “49-99,” on September 5, 2019. The song quotes “49 sitting, 99 standing” from Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s 1978 smash “Shuffering and Shmiling”. “49-99” mixes Afrobeat, R&B, and pop with rhythmic percussion, humming backing harmonies, and snappy snares. The Meji Alabi-directed “49-99” video is colourful and symbolic. The video references Eliot Elisofon’s 1972 Congolese schoolgirl pictures. Tiwa Savage’s long braids resemble Diana Ross’ late 1960s appearance. On November 19, 2019, Tiwa Savage released “Attention” and “Owo Mi Da” by Black Jheerze and Pheelz. In “Attention,” she chastises her boyfriend for neglecting their relationship, while in “Owo Mi Da,” she insults an anonymous borrower. Coldplay’s eighth album Everyday Life’s slow-burning song “kó” featured Tiwa Savage’s background vocals (2019). Tiwa Tiwa Savage revealed the track list for Celia on 18 August 2020 and confirmed its release on 28 August 2020.

Tiwa Savage Ethnicity

Tiwa Savage comes from Yoruba descent and hails from the Southwest region of Nigeria.

Tiwa Savage Parents

Prince Olanrewaju Savage and Cecilia Savage are Tiwa Savage’s parents. Tiwa Savage is their daughter. Her mother is still alive, but unfortunately her father passed away.

Tiwa Savage Siblings

Tiwa Savage’s older siblings are brothers Wale and Shola. In addition, she has a younger sister, the identity of whom we have not yet established.

Tiwa Savage Religion

Tiwa Savage adheres to the Christian faith.

Tiwa Savage Husband

Tiwa Savage tied the knot with her former manager, Tunji Balogun, commonly known as Tee Billz, in the year 2013. In 2016, three years later, the pair officially ended their marriage and divorced.

Tiwa Savage Children

Tiwa Savage is a mother to a son who goes by the name Jamil Balogun.

Tiwa Savage Social Media

Tiwa Savage’s presence may be found across all social media platforms under the username @tiwasavage. Additionally, you may find her on YouTube under the moniker “Tiwa Savage.”