Tiwa Savage: 'Women Are Stronger Than We Think'

Tiwa Savage

  THE IMAGE of Nigerian songstress Tiwa Savage on a Ugandan stage, delivering a high-octane performance while noticeably pregnant is difficult to forget.
Between her commitment to choreography to the flawless vocals, the message in that moment was clear: “Born to do this … Prego or not,” she wrote on social media.
Fast-forward a year and the Lagos-born performer is no longer sporting a baby bump, as she welcomed her first child last July, and is now celebrating the birth of her latest musical offering, a sophomore album titled R.E.D (Romantic, Expression and Dance).
On the follow up to her debut album, the seasoned performer is clear on how the final product is both a labour of love and evidence of progression.
“Musically, it’s definitely more focused,” Savage says. “Once Upon a Time was my first album and it had so many different things, from neo-soul to afro-pop and reggae. With R.E.D, there are less tracks, so it’s more compact, and one person – Don Jazzy – mainly produced it, so the sound has a wholeness to it.
“My fans will listen to it and hear the growth, both vocally and musically. I also know the market a lot more and the sounds that work, but they will still hear the Tiwa they fell in love with.”
The 16-track album features popular songs including wedding anthem My Darlin’, Standing Ovation and guest appearances from the likes of Busy Signal on the single Keys to the City.
Balancing would appear to be a skill the wife and mother-of-one does well after completing her album while pregnant and kicking off her promotional campaign within months of giving birth.
“I want to debunk that myth – and it’s not just for me,” Savage says with conviction. “Whether you’re a doctor, a nurse, a politician, anything, once you’re married and have kids, there are people who will say you can’t be an entrepreneur, a business mogul or still be at the top of your game.
“I’m going to work my butt off to encourage other women. I want them to know that it is not the end; it’s just the beginning. We’re built for this, women are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for.”
From background vocalist to the headline act, Savage’s ascension to the top of Africa’s entertainment industry has been premised on setting a new standard for female artists, and a core understanding of the music industry, demonstrated by her degree in Professional Music and the tightly run ship that is the Tiwa Savage brand.
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