Biography of Tiwatope Omolara Savage
Tiwatope Omolara Savage, born on February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko, Nigeria, and professionally known as Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She sings in both English and Yoruba, blending genres such as afrobeats, R&B, afropop, pop, and hip-hop. Tiwa’s contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned her numerous accolades and achievements.
Savage moved to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. She began her music career five years later, providing backup vocals for artists like George Michael and Mary J. Blige. After participating in the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music, she signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009. Motivated by the rise of the Nigerian music scene, she returned to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records in 2012, making her first appearance on the label’s 2012 compilation album Solar Plexus.
Her debut studio album, Once Upon a Time, was released on July 3, 2013, and supported by seven singles, including “Kele Kele Love,” “Love Me (3x),” and “Eminado.” The album earned nominations for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014. Tiwa’s second album, R.E.D, released on December 19, 2015, featured singles such as “My Darlin” and “Standing Ovation.” In June 2016, she signed a management and publishing deal with Roc Nation.
Savage’s EP, Sugarcane, was released in September 2017, containing the singles “All Over” and “Ma Lo.” Both R.E.D and Sugarcane earned nominations for Best Album at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. In November 2018, she made history by becoming the first woman to win Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
In May 2019, Tiwa announced her record deal with Universal Music Group, marking her exit from Mavin Records. Her third studio album, Celia, was released in August 2020, featuring hits like “Attention,” “Dangerous Love,” and “Koroba.” In 2021, she released the EP Water & Garri, blending Afrobeat with soulful R&B, which was followed by a North American tour. In July 2022, she received an honorary degree from the University of Kent during a graduation ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral.