Tiwa Savage Biography: Age, Career, Songs, Family & Net Worth

May 6, 2025 by NobleProfiles

Full Name: Tiwatope Omolara Savage
Stage Name: Tiwa Savage
Date of Birth: February 5, 1980
Age: 45 years old
Place of Birth: Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Model
Genres: Afrobeats, Afropop, R&B, Hip-Hop
Nicknames: African Bad Girl, Queen of Afrobeats

Table of Contents

Who is Tiwa Savage?

Tiwa Savage is a multi-talented Nigerian singer, songwriter, model, and actress, known for her dynamic presence in the global Afrobeats scene. Born as Tiwatope Omolara Savage, she has grown into one of Africa’s most influential female artists. Her musical style blends Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop, delivered in a fusion of English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin.

Recognized globally as the “Queen of Afrobeats”, Tiwa has collaborated with some of the biggest international stars and signed major deals with Sony/ATV, Roc Nation, and Universal Music Group. She’s also Nigeria’s first female artist to perform at the Coronation Concert of King Charles III.

Tiwa Savage’s Early Life & Education

Tiwa Savage was born and raised in Isale Eko, Lagos State, before relocating with her family to London, United Kingdom, at the age of 11. Her early exposure to Western culture and music significantly shaped her artistic style.

She attended the University of Kent, where she earned a degree in accounting, and briefly worked at The Royal Bank of Scotland. However, her passion for music led her to enroll at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Professional Music.

Before Fame: A Journey of Grit

Tiwa’s music career began behind the scenes. While in the UK, she worked as a backup vocalist for top global artists like:

George Michael
Mary J. Blige
Chaka Khan
Whitney Houston

She also took part in the UK edition of The X Factor, reaching the final 24 contestants. This exposure gave her a stepping stone into the music industry, even though she didn’t make it to the top 12.

Music Career: From Backup Singer to Global Icon

Breakthrough in Nigeria (2012 – 2015)

In 2012, Tiwa Savage returned to Nigeria and signed with Mavin Records, headed by Don Jazzy. Her debut studio album “Once Upon a Time” (2013) featured hits like:

“Kele Kele Love”
“Love Me (3x)”
“Eminado” ft. Don Jazzy

In 2014, her second album “R.E.D” was released, featuring hit singles like “My Darlin’” and “African Waist.” It solidified her position in the Nigerian music industry.

Going Global (2016 – Present)

2016: Tiwa became the first Nigerian artist to sign with Roc Nation, a label founded by Jay-Z.
2017: Released her EP “Sugarcane” — a blend of love, life, and emotion.
2018: Won Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first female to win the award.
2019: Released her powerful single “49-99” under Universal Music Group.
2020: Dropped her critically acclaimed third studio album “Celia”, which featured Sam Smith, Stefflon Don, and Davido.
2021: Released the “Water & Garri” EP, with collaborations from Nas, Brandy, and Amaarae.
2022: Honored with a Doctorate Degree in Music by the University of Kent.
2023: Co-produced and starred in the movie Water & Garri, inspired by her EP.
2023: Performed at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert in the UK.

Tiwa Savage’s Musical Style and Influence

Tiwa’s music is known for blending African rhythms with global sounds. She often sings about love, self-worth, empowerment, and African identity. Her versatility in switching between R&B, Afrobeats, soul, and pop is unmatched among African artists.

Tiwa Savage’s Family & Personal Life

Tiwa was married to music executive Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun. The couple tied the knot in 2013 and had a white wedding in Dubai in 2014. They have a son, Jamil Balogun (Jam Jam), born in 2015.

Their marriage ended in 2016 amidst public controversies. Despite the split, Tiwa maintains a strong relationship with her son, who often appears in her social media posts.

Personal Challenges:

2021: Lost her father.
2021: Was blackmailed over a leaked private video, which she courageously addressed publicly.
2021: Had a public altercation with fellow artist Seyi Shay, stemming from a previous misunderstanding.

Collaborations & Associations

Tiwa Savage has worked with a long list of both Nigerian and international stars, including:

Wizkid
Brandy
Sam Smith
Don Jazzy
Davido
Nas
Patoranking
Beyoncé (on “Keys to the Kingdom” in The Lion King: The Gift)

She’s also been associated with other top African artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, Yemi Alade, and Burna Boy.

Tiwa Savage Net Worth & Lifestyle

Tiwa Savage’s estimated net worth ranges from $22 million to $90 million, making her one of the richest female musicians in Africa.

Major Income Sources:

Music streaming (Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music)
Live shows & concerts
Endorsements (Pepsi, MTN, Maggi, Forte Oil)
Brand deals with Roc Nation, UMG, and Sony/ATV
Acting and production

Luxury Lifestyle:

Tiwa Savage is known for her love of fashion, luxury, and cars. She reportedly owns:

A Rolls Royce Phantom
A Bentley Bentayga
A Range Rover Sport
A Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

She also owns luxurious properties in Lagos, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.

Tiwa Savage on Social Media

Tiwa is incredibly popular on social platforms and uses them to connect with fans worldwide:

Instagram: @tiwasavage — 17M+ followers
Twitter/X: @TiwaSavage
TikTok: Millions of views
YouTube: Over 150M views
Facebook: Active fan base with over 1M likes

Conclusion

Tiwa Savage is not just a music artist; she’s a symbol of female empowerment, African excellence, and global success. From her humble beginnings in Isale Eko to her rise as a global superstar, Tiwa continues to break barriers and inspire millions across the world.

Whether it’s through her songs, fashion, performances, or philanthropy, she remains a trailblazer in the global Afrobeats movement and a voice for African women everywhere.