Tiwatope Savage-Balogun, known by her stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter,
recording artist, performer, and actress.
She is currently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mavin Records.
She co-wrote the track "Collard Greens & Cornbread" on Fantasia Barrino's Grammy-nominated album
Back to Me.
Savage was featured on Solar Plexus, a compilation album that was released a day after the establishment
of Mavin Records.
On 3 July 2013, she released her debut studio album Once Upon a Time.
Savage sings in English and Yoruba.
As a singer, her achievements include one MTV Africa Music Award, one The Headies Award,
one Channel O Music Video Award, one Nigeria Music Video Award, and two City People Entertainment
Awards, among others.
Music career Early life, career beginnings, and songwriting
Tiwa Savage was born in Lagos, Nigeria.
Her family relocated to London from Nigeria when she was 11 years old.
Whilst attending high school, she was a trombone player for her school's orchestra band.
Savage had a healthy upbringing; she grew up in a multicultural setting due to her migration
from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, and from the United Kingdom to the United States.
After graduating with a degree in Business administration from the University of Kent,
Savage started working at The Royal Bank of Scotland.
She did backup vocals for George Michael at the age of 16, and lent vocals to other musicians
such as Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Andrea Bocelli,
and Ms. Dynamite, among others.
Furthermore, she has performed on stage with Sting, 50 Cent, The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem,
Robbie Williams, and Destiny's Child, to name a few.
Savage enrolled at Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree in professional
music at the age of 27.
While reminiscing about her experiences there, she said that she was motivated by the drive
and passion of the younger students.
She also said that she needed the school's atmosphere.
Savage spoke briefly on the challenges musicians face during their transition from backup to
lead, and said that artists face more scrutiny when their performances are mediocre.
Her business background has helped her fully understand the scope of the Nigerian music
industry.
Savage spoke about her business background and said that her level of professionalism
does not make her susceptible to deception.
In 2006, Savage participated in the UK edition of The X Factor and advanced to the final
24 while attending the aforementioned music school.
While participating in the popular music competition franchise, she had difficulty dealing with
the limelight.
"You have to always realize that people are watching.
When I got the bad news that I wasn't getting through [to the final 12] it was a really
painful time.
But you still have to learn how to hold that until you get home.
Because you don't want to just let everything out.
People admire you and want to see that you're strong; they don't want to see you breaking
down" said Tiwa.
In 2009, Sony/ATV Music Publishing signed Savage to a music deal.
The deal solidified her to write for Babyface, Kat Deluna, Fantasia Barrino, Monica and Mýa.
She has received songwriting credits for her contribution to Monica's soul-tinged ballad
"Catch Me".
Moreover, her collaboration with Fantasia on the song "Collard Greens & Cornbread" earned
the American recording artist a Grammy nomination in 2010.
Savage wrote Jaicko's "Oh Yeah", featuring Snoop Dogg, and Kat Deluna's "Push Push",
featuring Akon and David Guetta.
In as much as she likes writing for other artists, she finds writing for herself more
rewarding.
Savage performed background vocals on Whitney Houston's album I Look to You.
In December 2011, she co-hosted the second season of Nigerian Idol alongside IllRymz.
Moreover, she made her film debut with Joke Silva and Ireti Doyle in the stage adaptation
of For Coloured Girls.
Savage became the first African female artist to be associated with the Pepsi brand after
signing an endorsement deal with them.
Humanitarian work and endorsements Savage has been involved in many youth empowerment
and breast cancer screening projects across Nigeria.
Savage helped raise money for an organisation that build schools in her hometown.
In July 2013, Savage signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria allegedly worth N30
million.
She also signed endorsement deals with Pepsi, Forte Oil, and Maggi.
Challenges faced in the Nigerian music industry When Savage stepped onto Nigeria's musical
landscape, she didn't know what to expect.
Moreover, she received a lot of ridicule and hostility from people who believed she wouldn't
make it.
She said that numerous people tried to discourage her from settling in Nigeria.
Moreover, people told her that she wouldn't be welcome as a female singer.
Furthermore, they said that she wouldn't be able to share the same stage with the likes
of Tuface and Wizkid.
Savage didn't allow people's negative connotation of her discourage her from doing music.
She released her debut single "Kele Kele Love".
The song made its way to the top of several Nigerian music charts.
Savage's sultry tones, pulsating dance moves, and electric stage presence immensely propelled
her to the top of the Nigerian music industry.
323 Entertainment/Mavin Records Savage established her own label imprint,
323 Entertainment, with her manager and husband Tunji "TJ Billz" Balogun whom she got engaged
to on 5 February 2013.
She joined Don Jazzy's Mavin Records in 2012 after the label she co-owns teamed up with
the executive producer.
She was one of the lead artists on Solar Plexus, the record label's first compilation album.
2010–2013: Once Upon A Time
Savage started recording her debut studio album in 2010.
She networked with Berklee alumni Keith Harris, Derek Pate, Scott Coleman, Radar Ellis, and
Darien Dorsey while attending the aforementioned music school.
During her interview with Brenda Pike, she said that she collaborated with Chuck Harmony,
Warren "Oak" Felder, and producer So Sick, among others.
Moreover, she said that her debut album will include records in her native tongue.
Savage was featured on Flavour N'abania's "Oyi Remix" in 2012.
Prior to collaborating with Flavour, she recorded her own version of the song.
In celebration of Nigeria's 52nd independence, Savage performed her rendition of "Arise,
O Compatriots" for Ndani Sessions.
In November 2012, Savage collaborated with Waje, Praiz, Timi Dakolo and Pamela Egoh on
the Ovation Red Carol Theme Song "Higer".
In May 2013, Savage held an album listening party at the Wheat Baker Hotel in Ikoyi.
She revealed the entire tracklist of the album and announced Iceberg Slim, Sarkodie and General
Pype as the featured artists.
On 3 July 2013, she released her long awaited debut album, Once Upon a Time, to the Nigerian
public.
The album was released on iTunes a day before the Nigerian release.
Savage named the album Once Upon a Time to portray the positive stories about her life.
She also said that she wanted to motivate other upcoming artists by telling them that,
once upon a time, she was a little girl in Isale Eko who dreamt of being a star.
The album includes political songs like "Middle Passage" which is about the struggles of African
men in a foreign country.
2014–present:Releases, MTV Africa Music Awards performance
On 31 January 2014, Savage released "Love in Yellow", a promotional single meant to
celebrate Valentine's Day 2014.
The song, which has a retro R&B and Funk sound, was produced by Spellz.
Savage was featured on "Turn It Up", a song by one of Mavin Records' newest signees Reekado
Banks.
The song was released on 21 February 2014 and was produced by Don Jazzy.
On 1 May 2014, Mavin Records released "Dorobucci" featuring Savage, Don Jazzy, Dr SID, D'Prince,
Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Di'Ja.
The song, which was produced by Don Jazzy, is the record label's first collaborative
release since the release of the Solar Plexus album in 2012.
On 19 May 2014, Foston Musik premiered Patoranking's "Girlie 'O' Remix" featuring Savage.
The song was produced by WizzyPro.
The music video for the song was shot and directed in London by Mr Moe Musa.
It was uploaded onto Patroranking's Vevo account on 20 May 2014, at a total length of 4 minutes
and 7 seconds.
On 7 June 2014, Savage performed at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards alongside Miguel,
Flavour N'abania, Davido, Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Oskido and Professor.
On 27 May 2014, 323 Entertainment and Mavin Records released the music video for "Wanted",
a song from the Once Upon a Time album.
It was directed by Moe Musa in London.
The release of the video prompted a huge public backlash across various social networking
sites, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
In June 2014, Savage collaborated with Mi Casa, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz,
and Davido on a song for DSTV's Africa Rising campaign, which was designed to inspire Africans
to partake in community-based social investment projects.
The music video for the song, released on 24 June 2014, was shot and directed by South
African production house Callback Dream.
The aforementioned artists performed the song at the Africa Rising launch ceremony in Mauritius.
Personal life On 23 November 2013, Savage and Tunji "Tee
Billz" Balogun held their traditional marriage at the Ark in Lekki.
Nigerian businessmen and celebrities who attended the wedding include Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote,
Don Jazzy, Banky W., Rita Dominic, Davido, Lola Okoye, Toolz, Eniola Badmus, Omawumi,
Iyanya, King Sunny Ade, Agbani Darego, Dr SID, Toke Makinwa, and Karen Igho, among others.
On 26 April 2014, the couple held their white wedding at the Armani Hotel in Dubai.
Discography
Studio albums Once Upon a Time
Compilation albums Solar Plexus
Singles Television
Awards and nominations
Notes
See also
List of Nigerian musicians
References
External links Tiwa Savage's Official Mavin Records Page
Tiwa Savage on Facebook