Tiwatope Savage was born on February 5, 1980 in Isale Eko, Lagos State. At the age of 11, she relocated to London with her family. Tiwa had a passion for music at a young age; she was a trombone player for her secondary school orchestra band.
She began her music career doing backup vocals for an English singer, George Michael and lent vocals to other musicians such as Mary J. Blige, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Ms. Dynamite, amongst others.
The talented musician graduated from the University of Kent, with a degree in accounting. Afterward, she got a job at the Royal Bank of Scotland, but never left her dream of becoming a professioner musician. Savage enrolled at Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree in professional music in 2007, at the age of 27.
Tiwa Savage participated in the UK edition of The X Factor in 2006. She made it to the final 24 but didn’t make it to the live shows. In 2009, she signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing Company and in 2012, she moved into the new record label of Don Jazzy, Mavin Records.
ALBUMS
2013 – Once Upon a Time
2015 – R.E.D.
2020 – Celia (Release Date, August 28, 2020)
AWARDS
2020 – Soundcity MVP Awards, African Video of the Year (49-99)
2019 – AFRIMA, Best Female West Africa
2018 – AFRIMA, Best Female West Africa
2018 – MTV Europe Music Awards, Best African Act
2017 – AFRIMA, Best Female West Africa
2016 – COSON Song Awards, Best Collabo Song (Girlie O Remix)
2014 – The HEADIES, Best Reggae/Dancehall Single (Girlie O Remix, Patoranking Featuring Tiwa Savage)
2014 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Most Gifted Female (Eminado ft Don Jazzy)
2014 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards, Female Artist of the Year
Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year
2014 – African Muzik Magazine Awards, Best Female West Africa
2014 – City People Entertainment Awards, Musician of the Year (Female)
2014 – MTV Africa Music Awards, Best Female
2012 – Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA), Best Highlife (Ife Wa Gbona)
2012 – The Headies, Best Vocal Performance (Female) (Love Me 3x)
2012 – Channel O Music Video Awards, Most Gifted R&B Music Video of the Year (Oyi remix, Flavour ft Tiwa Savage)
2011 – City People Entertainment Awards, Female Musician of the Year
2011 – Afrotainment Museke Awards, Best R&B Soul Song (Kele Kele)
2011 – FAB Magazine Awards, Most stylish Female Artiste
2011 – Dynamix All Youth Awards, Most Promising Act
PERSONAL LIFE
Tiwa Savage had a traditional marriage with Tunji ‘Tee Billz’ Balogun on November 23, 2013. Their white wedding was held on April 26, 2014. Her son, Jamil Balogun was born in June, 2015.
On April 28, 2016, Balogun accused Tiwa of infidelity and her family members of witchcraft. Savage later revealed that Balogun had a serious drug issue, was financially reckless and their marriage had been over for a while.