TIWA SAVAGE

Early Life and Education

Tiwa Savage was born on February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos Island, Nigeria. When she was 11 years old, her family relocated to London, United Kingdom. During her high school years, she was a trombone player for her school's orchestra.

After secondary school, she began her career in the finance world, working at The Royal Bank of Scotland. However, her passion for music led her to enroll at the University of Kent, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. At the age of 27, she further pursued her dream by attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, on a scholarship.

Career Beginnings and Songwriting

Before becoming a solo superstar, Tiwa Savage had a successful career as a backup vocalist for major international artists, including George Michael, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, and Kelly Clarkson. She also participated in the UK edition of The X Factor in 2006, where she reached the final 24.

Her talent extended to songwriting, and in 2009, she signed a music publishing deal with Sony/ATV. This deal saw her co-write songs for several prominent artists, including Monica's "Catch Me" and Fantasia Barrino's "Collard Greens & Cornbread," which earned a Grammy nomination.

Return to Nigeria and Stardom

Inspired by the burgeoning growth of the Nigerian music industry, Tiwa Savage moved back to Nigeria and established her own record label imprint, 323 Entertainment, with her then-manager and future husband, Tee Billz.

In 2012, she signed a major record deal with Don Jazzy's newly formed Mavin Records, which marked a pivotal moment in her career. Her official debut single, "Kele Kele Love," was released in 2013 and became a massive hit, dominating airwaves across the continent. She released her debut studio album, "Once Upon a Time," in July 2013. The album was a critical and commercial success, featuring hit singles like "Eminado" (featuring Don Jazzy), "Olorun Mi," and "Without My Heart."

Subsequent Albums and International Acclaim

Tiwa Savage's career continued to soar with the release of subsequent projects. Her sophomore album, "R.E.D" (short for Romance, Expression, and Dance), was released in 2015. In 2017, she released the critically acclaimed EP "Sugarcane," which included the hit track "Ma Lo" featuring Wizkid.

Her global profile grew significantly, leading to a management and publishing deal with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in 2016. In May 2019, she left Mavin Records and signed a landmark global recording deal with Universal Music Group, one of the world's leading music companies. Under this new deal, she released her third studio album, "Celia," in 2020, and the EP "Water & Garri" in 2021, which featured a collaboration with American superstar Brandy on the track "Somebody's Son."

Impact and Advocacy

Throughout her career, Tiwa Savage has won numerous awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act, making her the first woman to win the category. She is celebrated for breaking barriers for female artists in the male-dominated Afrobeats industry.

Beyond her music, she is a vocal advocate for social causes, including women's empowerment and the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria.