Tiwa Savage is an actress, singer, and songwriter. She is one of the most influential and charismatic female artists in Nigeria. She has earned a number of honors over the years. Her music is a combination of Afropop, Soul, and R&B, and she is well-known all over the world. Let’s take a look at Tiwa Savage Biography.
Tiwa Savage’s Background
Tiwatope Savage, also known as Tiwa Savage, was born in Ikeja, Lagos State, on February 5, 1980. Her family moved to London with her when she was 11 years old. She then went on to the University of Kent in England, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Savage also has a professional music degree from Boston’s Berklee College of Music.
She connected with various alumni of the school throughout her time there, including Derek Pate, Keith Harris, Scott Coleman, Dairen Dorsey, and Radar Ellis.
Tiwa Savage Music Career
In 2014, Tiwa married Tunji Balogun, aka ‘Tee Billz,’ at the Armani Hotel in Dubai. Jamil Balogun, their son, was born to them. However, Tiwa Savage revealed in an interview with Thisday Newspaper that her marriage to Tee Billz is dissolved owing to unresolved marital issues.
Tiwa was a member of her high school’s symphony band and played the trombone. She went on to provide backup vocals for George Michael at the age of 16. Not only that, but she’s also sung backup for Mary J Blige and others.
In reality, Tiwa has shared the stage alongside artists like as 50 Cent, Eminem, the Black Eyed Peas, Robbie Williams, and Destiny’s Child.
When Tiwa Savage decided to expand her music career into Nigeria, she was met with criticism and discouragement from those who believe she will never be able to compete with Tuface and Wizkid. Regardless, she was determined to give it a go. Following that, she released her first single, ‘Kele Kele Love,’ which was well-received and achieved international attention.
Tiwa secured a songwriting contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009. She was able to write the following thanks to the contract:
Monica’s song “Catch Me,” for which she received composition credit, Jaicko’s “Oh Yeah,” featuring Snoop Dogg, and Kat Deluna’s “Push Push,” featuring Akon and David Guetta.
Tiwa Savage has also written for Babyface, Fantasia Barrino, and Mya. In 2010, she was nominated for a Grammy for her duet with Fantasia Barrino on the song “Collard Greens & Cornbread.” Tiwa Savage is the woman behind Whitney Houston’s album “I Look to You backing” vocals (2009).
Tiwa Savage performed her version of the Nigerian anthem ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ during Nigeria’s 52nd Independence celebrations.
Tiwa Savage Away from Music
Tiwa worked for Royal Bank of Scotland after graduating from University of Kent, in addition to music. She also co-hosted the second season of ‘Nigerian Idol’ alongside IIIRymz. Tiwa was cast alongside Joke Silva, Iretiola Doyle, Matilda Obaseki, Marcy Dolapo, Jumoke Ladi Lawal, and Reanne Weruche Opia in the Nigerian adaption of the film ‘For Colored Girls’ for the first time.
The X-Factor
Tiwa Savage competed in the 2006 UK edition of The X-Factor, a SYCOtv-produced television music competition. She made it to the final 24 but was unable to advance to the final 12. It was a really difficult experience for her, but she managed to get through it.
Endorsements and Collaborations
In June 2016, Tiwa inked a distribution and management contract with Roc Nation. She is also the first female singer to have a Pepsi endorsement. Not only that, but she also represents Forte Oil, Star Radler, and Maggi as a brand ambassador. In addition, in July 2013, she signed a N30 million endorsement agreement with MTN Nigeria.
Tiwa Savage has worked with a number of artists both in and out of Nigeria. On the Ovation Red Carol theme song, ‘Higer,’ she collaborated alongside Waje, Praiz, Timi Dakolo, and Pamela Egoh. Other collaborations with Savage include:
- Flavour N’abania’s ‘Oyi’ (Remix), 2012.
- Reekado Bank’s ‘Turn It Up’, 2014.
- Patoranking’s ‘Girlie O’ (Remix), 2014
- DSTV Campaign song ‘African Rising’ together with Micasa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond and Davido, 2014
- ‘Get it Now’ (Remix) ft Omarion, 2014
- ‘Lova Lova’ ft Duncan Mighty, 2018
- Skales’s ‘Pressure’, 2018
- WSTRN ‘Love Struck’ with Mr Eazi, 2018
- Sol’s ‘Girl Next Door’, 2019
- DiJa’s ‘The Way You Are’, 2018
Tiwa Savage’s Scandals
Tiwa Savage is indeed a talented and successful musician whose music is loved beyond Nigeria and Africa. However, his career success has not been without scandals. First was the acrimonious divorce from her erstwhile husband which went public on the Nigerian media landscape. While she gathered a lot of support then, the reverse was the case for a recent scandal.
In early October 2021, Tiwa Savage disclosed in on a Radio interview that someone was using her sex video with her boyfriend to blackmail her into parting with money, but she refused paying because, according to her, that will not prevent the blackmailer from uploading the video in the future.
A week later, the video surfaced on the internet to the disappointment of many of her fans who adore not only her music but her personality. Despite the uproar the sex tape caused, she remained adamant that she did not wrong, as she is an adult who engaged in legal sex.
Tiwa Savage Philanthropy
Tiwa supports breast cancer screening efforts around Nigeria, in addition to being active in youth empowerment. The award-winning artist helped raise money for a non-profit that builds schools in her community.
Tiwa Savage’s Net Worth
Her net worth is unknown, however she is rumored to be one of Nigeria’s wealthiest female musicians.
Source: Nyscinfo