Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage has recalled some of the discrimination she faced in the early days of her career.

Tiwa Savage who recently starred in and executive produced her debut feature film ‘Water & Garri’ talked about her journey from music to movie making.

According to Tiwa Savage, she faced some discrimination in her early days in the Nigerian music industry because of her sensual dress and style.

She stated that she used to be heavily criticized, had her songs banned on terrestrial stations, and even stopped from performing because of her risqué dress and sensual music.

The singer also added that she has heard multiple stories from female artists who passed through similar experiences.

“They get overlooked and they can’t do soundcheck. Initially, when I first moved back, I would turn up for a show and they would say I couldn’t perform because of my outfit.”
Tiwa Savage

On how she managed to navigate this situation into becoming a music superstar, Tiwa Savage stated she decided to double down on her style and profile as a sex symbol.

“I am very stubborn. So I was like my dress is just going to get shorter and my shirt is going to get more revealing.”
Tiwa Savage

The “Somebody’s Son” crooner also highlighted that while she was getting a lot of stick for her risqué fashion, she was winning the admiration and gaining the support of female fans who helped grow her supporter base to the point that she was she couldn’t be ignored by show promoters and the media.

Since breaking into the mainstream, Tiwa Savage has become one of Nigeria’s most prominent pop music figures whose music helped create a spin for the female end of the industry.

She recently diversified into movies after playing the leading role in her debut feature film ‘Water & Garri’ which she also executive produced.

Singer Compared With Rising Female Artists

Tiwa Savage lamented fans constantly compare her with rising female artists.

According to her, she is constantly being pitted against other female artists by overzealous fans.

She stated the fans often pit her against every rising female artist, claiming they are coming to take her “throne”.

Disregarding naysayers, the ‘Water & Garri’ actress noted she would go out of her way and make friends with the new female artists instead because she believes music is not a competition.

“The real competition is the male artists. I was happy that Tyla, a female artist, won the maiden Best African Music Performance category at the Grammys over the male nominees.”
Tiwa Savage

Impressed with how Afrobeats was influencing the world, the mother of one retraced her steps to her birth country’s music industry.

Savage has continued to break all of the stereotypes of black female entertainers, remaining focused and building a strong foundation for her career.

“When I first started as an artist, I was seen a certain way but I’ve grown since then. Even as a single mother, I still receive backlash for being sometimes too sexy in a male-dominated industry.”
Tiwa Savage

She also disclosed that being a female artiste is a lot more tasking for her.

“But I don’t like to complain about it, I just get it done. If it means me working ten times harder than other artists, if it takes that, I’ll get it done.”
Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage has performed for the kings and queens around the globe. Her sterling performance at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert held at Windsor Castle on May 7, 2023, generated mixed reactions on social media due to the United Kingdom’s colonial history in Nigeria.