She’s tall, pretty and highly talented with a unique voice, you do not come across Tiwa Savage in person for the first time and fail to notice the passion and confidence she exudes. This better comes alive when asked to speak about her music career.
It
sure does not come as a surprise, as the 32-year-old singer, who does
not look any bit her age, kicked off her music career in the UK, touring
as a back-up singer for international stars like Mary J. Blige, Sting,
George Michael, Kelly Clarkson and the Spice Girls.
Her
impressive resume notwithstanding, Savage, who is the only female in
the Don Jazzy-led, Marvin Records music label, is quite approachable.
Although she says her label mates do not make her feel like a lady in
their midst, her inclusion in the team has given rise to speculations of
a steamy romance between her and Don Jazzy.
The
rumour was further fuelled when the latter, who has never collaborated
with any artiste outside of the disbanded Mo Hits Crew’, featured on her
single, Without My Heart.
To
these allegations, Savage lets out a hearty laugh, saying, “The rumours
are false. Don Jazzy and I have always been friends. He helped me out
from the beginning, even before Mavin Records. I have always and will
always look up to him. He is a great man and I appreciate his talent so
much. He also has a really good heart.”
In
less than two years since she moved back to Nigeria, the slender singer
has won a large following for herself and has gradually wormed her way
to the enviable position as a top musician in the country. Yet, she
rules out ‘luck factor.’
“A
lot of people see it as a short period but I can assure you I have been
working for many years to get here. It is a journey that has spanned
many years and three continents just to get here. I am grateful to God
that I now have the opportunity to sing but it has been a lot of hard
work.”
Savage’s
dress sense and appearance have made her nothing short of a sex symbol
in the industry. Notwithstanding, she confesses that she was initially
not comfortable with her skin colour.
“I
used to have such a complex about being dark skinned and was told that I
was not beautiful and sometimes when someone complimented me, they
would say, ‘You look good for a dark-skinned girl’ but eventually when I
moved to the U.S., people started to really compliment me. So I guess
the secret is appreciating how God created you. Once you feel good on
the inside it will show on the outside.”
According
to the Berkley College of Music, UK graduate, she is not threatened by
the crop of female artistes trying to break through in the competitive
Nigerian music scene. For her, there is no challenge what so ever.
“If
anything we even need more female musicians. There are not enough of
us. I am actually in awe of many of them: Omawumi, Waje, Asa, Eva are
all doing great things in music. Many powerful women have paved the way
for someone like me and the truth is there are amazing female artistes
that are relentless in their efforts to build the female presence in the
music industry. We are working so hard to make sure we close the gap in
such a male dominated industry.”
With
less than six singles to her credit, her yet-to-be- released album has
become one of the most anticipated in the industry. She reveals that it
will be a blown-away.
“The
album will be out very soon and apart from my usual style, I am
experimenting with some different sounds too. I think listeners will be
pleasantly surprised. I was happy that O Ma Ga was well
received because it was a departure from my typical style. I am not
necessarily pushing for an international collaboration right now as I
feel when the time is right it will happen. I would love to do a
collaboration with Brandy though; she is my all-time favourite.”
With
some celebrities constantly striving to live up to the expectations of
the public and fans, Savage says she is never compelled to bow to
pressure. “From the beginning, I have always just allowed the music to
speak for itself and I strongly believe that as long as you are true to
yourself, you maintain your integrity and continue to stay humble and
create great music, you will be free to enjoy the journey and use your
gift to bless people as supposed to always feeling pressured. The only
pressure I feel is to always do better.”
When
asked what she considers the greatest misconception being held about
her, she says, “Probably that I am some kind of diva. In reality I am
most comfortable wearing a T-shirt and some leggings. I’m not even a big
fan of heels.”
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