Tiwa Savage has never really stayed in one lane, and looking back, that shift didn’t come easy.
Before becoming one of the most recognisable voices in Afrobeats, she was building a different path. Working abroad as a backup singer for artists like George Michael and Mary J. Blige, her foundation was rooted in R&B. That sound shaped her early identity, long before Nigeria became the next step.
When she returned in 2012, drawn by the growing energy of the local music scene, the transition wasn’t automatic.
She has now spoken openly about that period, describing it as a real adjustment.
It was difficult for me to transition from R&B to street sounds… He took me out of that R&B bubble and introduced me to other sounds.
That shift, she explains, was largely influenced by Don Jazzy during her time at Mavin Records. Being in that environment pushed her to rethink what she could do musically.
He made me believe that talent was not limited, that I could do anything if I really focused on it.
Changing genres not only took place. She had to unlearn what she thought her range was.
Building a Sound From Different Influences
Even now, Tiwa doesn’t tie her music to one source.
In a recent conversation with Rolling Stone Africa, she spoke about the mix of influences that continue to shape her work and it stretches across generations and styles.
I am inspired by so many people. Musically, I am inspired by Brandy… I also listen to Jazz… I am inspired by my peers… Wiz, Burna, David… everybody.
That range explains why her music has never sat neatly in one box. The R&B background didn’t disappear; it blended into something that could sit comfortably within Afrobeats while still sounding personal.
Speaking Up on the “Big 3” Conversation
Beyond music, Tiwa has also been vocal about how conversations in Afrobeats are framed, especially when it comes to who gets recognised.
In 2025, she questioned the long-running focus on the so-called “Big 3”, pointing out how that narrative often leaves out other artists doing significant work.
It’s unfair to have that conversation about the Top 3 and not mention someone like Tems. Are you serious?
Her point wasn’t subtle as she linked the imbalance to visibility and resources, who gets heard more, and why.
Certain types of artists get paid more. So, they get the opportunity to spend more on influencers and radio play…
She later clarified that her earlier viral comment wasn’t aimed at the artists themselves, but at the structure of the conversation.
In her view, names like Yemi Alade, Flavour, Asake, Tems, and Rema deserve to be part of that wider recognition.
Public Reactions Didn’t Stay Quiet
As expected, those comments sparked reactions online.
Some responses leaned into humour, others into speculation:
kofobaby_ That wiz heavy for her mouth 😂😂😂😂
fa.ith7821 Una see say that davido she mention no sweet for her mouth 😂
kelz_334 See how she start with wiz, burna then last na 003 😂😂
No Regrets About the Move
Looking back, Tiwa Savage has not once framed her transition as a risk she regrets.
The move from R&B into Afrobeats came with challenges, but it also opened up a different space for her, one that allowed her to evolve without being boxed in.
What started as a difficult adjustment has become part of her foundation.
And years later, she is still moving between sounds, conversations, and expectations, without fully settling into any one definition.
