Tiwa Savage, a leading figure in Afrobeats and Nigerian music, has a rich background and career that many might not know. Here are ten unknown facts about her:
1. Real Name: Tiwa Savage’s full name is Tiwatope Savage-Balogun.
2. Birthplace: Though she’s widely known as a Nigerian artist, Tiwa Savage was born in Isale Eko, Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to London at age 11.
4. Backup Singer for Global Stars: Before becoming a solo artist, Tiwa worked as a backup vocalist for international stars like Mary J. Blige, George Michael, and Whitney Houston.
5. X-Factor Experience: She participated in the UK edition of the singing competition "The X Factor" in 2006, where she reached the final 24 contestants.
6. Songwriting Credits: Tiwa is also a talented songwriter, having co-written songs for other artists, including "Collard Greens & Cornbread" for Fantasia, which earned a Grammy nomination.
7. Rejection Before Fame: Early in her career, Tiwa faced rejection when attempting to break into the Nigerian music industry, as many thought her style was too Western for the local market.
8. Multilingual Abilities: Tiwa Savage is multilingual. She speaks English and Yoruba fluently, often incorporating both languages into her songs.
9. First African Woman to Sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation: In 2016, Tiwa Savage became the first African female artist to sign a management deal with Roc Nation, further cementing her global influence.
10. Philanthropy: Beyond music, Tiwa is passionate about giving back and has been involved in various charitable causes, including cancer screening projects and youth empowerment programs.
