FANS AND FRIENDS OF SOULFUL SONGSTRESS, TIWA SAVAGE FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND BEYOND WERE IN LAGOS PENULTIMATE SUNDAY FOR THE LISTENING PARTY OF HER DEBUT ALBUM TITLED ONCE UPON A TIME. HER MUSICAL ODYSSEY WAS CHRONICLED IN THE WORKS EXHIBITED FOR THE PRESS REVIEW. ASIDE THE MARVELOUS SUPPORT SAVAGE ENJOYED FROM PEPSI (TO WHICH SHE’S AN AMBASSADOR), BAILEYS’ IRISH CREAM ALSO ANNOUNCED HER ENDORSEMENT AS ITS NEW AMBASSADOR AT THE EVENT. TIWA TALKS TO LANRE ODUKOYA ABOUT HER HUMBLE BEGINNING AND WHY SHE WAITED FOR TWENTY FOUR MONTHS BEFORE DROPPING HER DEBUT ALBUM
WHY IT TOOK ME TWO YEARS TO DROP MY DEBUT ALBUM…
This album is from my heart and it’s something that I worked so long for. A lot of people wondered why it took so long and that’s because we had to go through a lot of legal processes to clear some of the samples that we used and that took months. Also, we wanted to work with some notable producers like Warren ‘Oak’ Felder who worked with Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. So, we had to work round their schedules and that’s why it took so long. This is an album that I don’t want to be the usual Nigerian album with patchy tracks from beginning to end. I want it to have a meaning.
This album is from my heart and it’s something that I worked so long for. A lot of people wondered why it took so long and that’s because we had to go through a lot of legal processes to clear some of the samples that we used and that took months. Also, we wanted to work with some notable producers like Warren ‘Oak’ Felder who worked with Nicki Minaj and Rihanna. So, we had to work round their schedules and that’s why it took so long. This is an album that I don’t want to be the usual Nigerian album with patchy tracks from beginning to end. I want it to have a meaning.
ONCE UPON A TIME…
It’s a story. My life has been an amazing journey and I wanted it to reflect that. I also wanted it to motivate budding artistes. Once Upon A Time, I was a little girl in Isale Eko who wanted to do this and here I am doing it. So, I want their once upon time to turn to reality.
It’s a story. My life has been an amazing journey and I wanted it to reflect that. I also wanted it to motivate budding artistes. Once Upon A Time, I was a little girl in Isale Eko who wanted to do this and here I am doing it. So, I want their once upon time to turn to reality.
EARLY DOUBTS…
A lot of people discouraged me saying people who come back from abroad are not really accepted because they don’t know how to connect with Nigerians, especially for a female. They said, there was no way a brand would endorse me; that there was no way I could be on a stage with the likes of 2Face and Wizkid and I got discouraged and I moved back to Los Angeles, United States of America after I dropped Kele Kele Love and then I dropped Love Me, Love Me. Later, I moved back as people around me encouraged me that if I could be consistent I could make it.
A lot of people discouraged me saying people who come back from abroad are not really accepted because they don’t know how to connect with Nigerians, especially for a female. They said, there was no way a brand would endorse me; that there was no way I could be on a stage with the likes of 2Face and Wizkid and I got discouraged and I moved back to Los Angeles, United States of America after I dropped Kele Kele Love and then I dropped Love Me, Love Me. Later, I moved back as people around me encouraged me that if I could be consistent I could make it.
WHY I DEDICATED A TRACK TO MY
FIANCE…
You know the culture here. If you’re not married and just focus on your career, people would start asking questions. He understood my journey; he was able to push me career-wise and he encourages me a lot. So, I had to do a song for him.
FIANCE…
You know the culture here. If you’re not married and just focus on your career, people would start asking questions. He understood my journey; he was able to push me career-wise and he encourages me a lot. So, I had to do a song for him.
ABOUT 323 ENTERTAINMENT…
I am actually signed to 323 Entertainment and it’s owned by Tunji Balogun (Teejay) who is also my partner but 323 it’s under Mavin Records. So, Mavin oversees the label but 323 Entertainment handles my day to day activities.
I am actually signed to 323 Entertainment and it’s owned by Tunji Balogun (Teejay) who is also my partner but 323 it’s under Mavin Records. So, Mavin oversees the label but 323 Entertainment handles my day to day activities.
AND THE SONY DEAL…
I am still signed to Sony in America. I’m signed to them as a songwriter. I write my songs, I perform but I still write for other artistes. I just did a song for Monica called Catch Me, which came out in her last album. I am still signed to Sony International.
I am still signed to Sony in America. I’m signed to them as a songwriter. I write my songs, I perform but I still write for other artistes. I just did a song for Monica called Catch Me, which came out in her last album. I am still signed to Sony International.
MY SOURCE OF INSPIRATION…
A lot of things inspire me; life, happiness, heartbreak, Nigeria as a country and circumstances. Especially in that Olorun Mi song, I felt sad for a few days and the Dana crash inspired me to do that song.
A lot of things inspire me; life, happiness, heartbreak, Nigeria as a country and circumstances. Especially in that Olorun Mi song, I felt sad for a few days and the Dana crash inspired me to do that song.
NO COMPETITION AMONG NIGERIAN FEMALE SINGERS…
Why should I be scared of competition? Like I said on stage, you have Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and they’re all female artistes and they’re all big stars in the US. Why should it be only one person that will be known for quality music among female singers in Nigeria? I am actually glad that more female artistes are coming up.
Why should I be scared of competition? Like I said on stage, you have Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and they’re all female artistes and they’re all big stars in the US. Why should it be only one person that will be known for quality music among female singers in Nigeria? I am actually glad that more female artistes are coming up.
FOND MEMORIES OF ISALE EKO DAYS…
Growing up, I was like a tomboy. Back then, I didn’t care about make-up or bags or shoes, I was very free. I had a very healthy upbringing. My parents made sure I was really grounded. I had loving brothers and I remember playing around all the time when I was a kid.
Growing up, I was like a tomboy. Back then, I didn’t care about make-up or bags or shoes, I was very free. I had a very healthy upbringing. My parents made sure I was really grounded. I had loving brothers and I remember playing around all the time when I was a kid.
HOW I’LL FEEL IF MY ALBUM GETS NEGATIVE REVIEWS…
I don’t think I’ll feel bad because everybody has an opinion and that’s life. I think Thriller, Michael Jackson’s album, as beautiful as I think it is, there’s someone somewhere that doesn’t like the album or does not even like Michael Jackson. Even Jesus Christ had enemies, so who is Tiwa Savage to have none? For me, I’ve done something from my heart. I haven’t compromised my integrity, I haven’t compromised musically. I have songs there where I was really singing and I’ve satisfied my heart. So, I am going to leave the rest to God.
I don’t think I’ll feel bad because everybody has an opinion and that’s life. I think Thriller, Michael Jackson’s album, as beautiful as I think it is, there’s someone somewhere that doesn’t like the album or does not even like Michael Jackson. Even Jesus Christ had enemies, so who is Tiwa Savage to have none? For me, I’ve done something from my heart. I haven’t compromised my integrity, I haven’t compromised musically. I have songs there where I was really singing and I’ve satisfied my heart. So, I am going to leave the rest to God.
ABOUT BEING A SEX SYMBOL…
If you ask my family, I am not like that. I am a laid-back person.
If you ask my family, I am not like that. I am a laid-back person.
WHAT STARDOM HAS CHANGED ABOUT ME…
I was a little more out-going but I am now a bit more reserved. Some people like saying they haven’t changed a bit when they start making more money, but that’s a lie. I think you change because you’re more wary. You want to be careful and trust less easily. I think people around me have changed too. They expect more. I’m under a microscope always. I might make a normal mistake but it will get blown up because it’s Tiwa Savage. So, I am more wary of what I do and say in public than I was before.
I was a little more out-going but I am now a bit more reserved. Some people like saying they haven’t changed a bit when they start making more money, but that’s a lie. I think you change because you’re more wary. You want to be careful and trust less easily. I think people around me have changed too. They expect more. I’m under a microscope always. I might make a normal mistake but it will get blown up because it’s Tiwa Savage. So, I am more wary of what I do and say in public than I was before.
WHAT I’D LOVE TO CHANGE ABOUT WOMEN IN NIGERIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY…
I will like it to be more international. I will like us to be recognized as the front-runner of Africa music, and I think it’s happening slowly. I’d like to be able to go to the UK and hear more of our music on radio, in a mall and to have more artistes from Nigeria nominated for Grammy. I will also like us to have better infrastructure and effective piracy law.
I will like it to be more international. I will like us to be recognized as the front-runner of Africa music, and I think it’s happening slowly. I’d like to be able to go to the UK and hear more of our music on radio, in a mall and to have more artistes from Nigeria nominated for Grammy. I will also like us to have better infrastructure and effective piracy law.
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