The Queen Of Afrobeat

Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage’s song, ‘Dangerous Love’, is currently the most-played song on my playlist. It’s the perfect companion when I’m working out, cleaning the house or need a pick-me-up.

- Nontando Mposo

Singer-songwriter and actress Tiwa Savage is one of the world’s most-loved and followed Afrobeat artists, and has many accolades to her name. Her latest album, Celia, gained over 200 million streams globally, and Time magazine named it one of the top 10 best albums of 2020. Tiwa talks to Glamour about life in Nigeria, growing up in London, #ENDSARS and life.

G: Your fondest memories of growing up in Lagos?

Tiwa Savage: I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, the last born and only girl with three older brothers. My childhood was average: I’d attend school during the week and a family party or wedding on Saturdays, then spend most of Sunday at church. Beans and Agege bread reminds me of home.

G: You moved from Lagos to London when you were 11.

TS: It wasn’t great, to be honest. I went to the UK under the illusion that it’d be a holiday to visit my brothers who’d relocated to London at the time. I was so excited and showed off to my friends that I’d be travelling. When we got there, it was grey, wet and cold. To my surprise, my mom announced I wouldn’t be returning to Lagos, that I was going to start school in London. I was bullied horrendously in school, mainly for having a thick Nigerian accent and being super-skinny with long arms and legs and no hair. Music became my way of coping.

I grew up surrounded by music, at home and in church, and so, it’s been a constant in my life.