Is Tiwa Savage Getting the Respect She Deserves from Nigerians?
The music landscape in Nigeria since the days of old has never really favoured female musicians.
Female artists have always had to double up in whatever they do just to be in the limelight. Many of them are often harassed, bullied and disrespected, just because they want a seat at the top of the food chain.
Looking at the female artists we have in Nigeria at the moment, one cannot help but give plaudits to this hardworking set of people as they strive every day to make a name for themselves and it’s never an easy feat for them.
Nigeria is indeed blessed with female artists such as Asa, Simi, Yemi Alade, Niniola, Teni, Omawumi, Waje, Chidinma, Aramide, Seyi Shay among others, who make their nation proud on a daily basis.
Among the ladies doing secular music in Nigeria, one name stands tall and that’s Tiwatope Savage known professionally as Tiwa Savage, a singer, songwriter and actress.
The Isale-Eko born singer relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing backup vocals for world-class artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige.
The 39-year-old mother of one signed with the Don Jazzy led-Mavin Records in 2012 where she churned out hits after hits. She released her debut album in 2013 and had singles such as Kele Kele Love, Eminado, Ife Wa Gbona, Without My Heart and other tracks.
Her second studio album was released in 2015 with singles like My Darling and Standing Ovation in which she featured YBNL honcho, Olamide, the song was an instant hit.
Tiwa later went on to sign a publishing and management deal with RocNation, an American entertainment agency founded by rap superstar, Jay-Z in 2008. Towards the end of 2017, the talented singer released her debut EP, Sugarcane which had two hit tracks: All Over and Ma Lo (Don’t Go).
In November 2018, Tiwa Savage won Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, making her the first woman to win the category. In May 2019, she announced her record deal with Universal Music Group and her exit from Mavin Records.
Don Jazzy also took to his social media accounts to announce Tiwa’s exit from his record label and also wish the actress well in her future endeavours. Don Jazzy has no doubt influenced and shaped her music life. It was during her time with the record label that she became the star she is now. She is unarguably the biggest female singer in Nigeria today.
There is hardly any big concert in and out of Nigeria today that she doesn’t headline, that’s how big the singer has become in the Nigerian music industry.
She silenced her critics when she made a duet with Omarion, to the delight of many music faithful. She irked many when she featured in Wizkid’s music video, Fever with her and Wizkid in controversial situations in the music video sparking off rumours that she was dating the Star Boy headlining act. The video soon went viral with many describing the act as shameful.
The singer these days has been getting the stick from Nigerians because of the way she dresses. Many are of the opinion that she is showing off too much ‘flesh’ in her videos and pictures, especially the ones she posts on her social media accounts.
The truth is this, whether she dresses provocatively these days or not, whether she is in a relationship with Wizkid or not, whether she is thinking about getting back with her estranged husband, Teebillz or not, Nigerians should accord her the respect she deserves as she has, without a shadow of a doubt, been a very good ambassador of her fatherland. Her music has also put Nigeria on the map and it has been far-reaching too.
When people thought it was over for the sultry singer, she turned heads when she featured American Superstar Sensation Brandy in ‘Somebody’s Son. The track was literally everywhere and it topped key music charts home and abroad. The collaboration with Brandy showed that Tiwa still has so much up to her singing sleeves.
Her place among the industry greats of all time is unmovable and is not in jeopardy, this is certainly not the time for her countrymen to show her Kele Kele Love.
