Early life, career beginnings, and songwriting[edit]
Tiwa Savage was born in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State. Her family relocated to London when she was 11 years old. While attending high school, she was a trombone player for her school's orchestra band. Savage had a healthy upbringing; she grew up in a multicultural setting due to her migration from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, and from the United Kingdom to the United States. After graduating with a degree in Business administration from the University of Kent, Savage started working at The Royal Bank of Scotland.[10] She did backup vocals for George Michael at the age of 16, and lent vocals to other musicians such as Mary J. Blige,Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Andrea Bocelli, and Ms. Dynamite, amongst others.[6][9] Furthermore, she has performed on stage with Sting, 50 Cent, The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Robbie Williams and Destiny's Child, to name a few.[6]
Savage enrolled at Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree in professional music at the age of 27. While reminiscing about her experiences there, she said she was motivated by the drive and passion of the younger students. She also said she needed the school's atmosphere. Savage spoke briefly on the challenges musicians face during their transition from backup to lead, and said that artists face more scrutiny when their performances are mediocre. Her business background has helped her fully understand the scope of the Nigerian music industry. Savage spoke about her business background and said that her level of professionalism does not make her susceptible to deception.[10]
In 2006, Savage participated in the UK edition of The X Factor and advanced to the final 24 while attending the aforementioned music school.[9] While participating in the popular music competition franchise, she had difficulty dealing with the limelight. "You have to always realize that people are watching. When I got the bad news that I wasn't getting through [to the final 12] it was a really painful time. But you still have to learn how to hold that until you get home. Because you don't want to just let everything out. People admire you and want to see that you're strong; they don't want to see you breaking down" said Tiwa.[10]
In 2009, Sony/ATV Music Publishing signed Savage to a music deal. The deal solidified her to write for Babyface, Kat Deluna, Fantasia Barrino, Monica and Mýa. She has received songwriting credits for her contribution to Monica's soul-tinged ballad "Catch Me". Moreover, her collaboration with Fantasia on the song "Collard Greens & Cornbread" earned the American recording artist a Grammy nomination in 2010. Savage wrote Jaicko's "Oh Yeah", featuring Snoop Dogg, and Kat Deluna's "Push Push", featuring Akon andDavid Guetta. In as much as she likes writing for other artists, she finds writing for herself more rewarding. Savage performed background vocals on Whitney Houston's album I Look to You (2009).[10]
In December 2011, she co-hosted the second season of Nigerian Idol alongside IllRymz. Moreover, she made her film debut with Joke Silva and Ireti Doyle in the stage adaptation of For Coloured Girls. Savage became the first African female artist to be associated with the Pepsi brand after signing an endorsement deal with them.[10]
Humanitarian work and endorsements[edit]
Savage has been involved in many youth empowerment and breast cancer screening projects across Nigeria.[9][11] Savage helped raise money for an organisation that build schools in her hometown. In July 2013, Savage signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria reportedly worth ₦30 million.[12] She also signed endorsement deals with Pepsi,[13]Forte Oil,[14] and Maggi.[15]
Challenges faced in the Nigerian music industry[edit]
When Savage stepped onto Nigeria's musical landscape, she didn't know what to expect. Moreover, she received a lot of ridicule and hostility from people who believed she wouldn't make it. She said that numerous people tried to discourage her from settling in Nigeria. Moreover, people told her that she wouldn't be welcome as a female singer. Furthermore, they said that she wouldn't be able to share the same stage with the likes of Tuface and Wizkid. Savage didn't allow people's negative connotation of her discourage her from doing music. She released her debut single "Kele Kele Love". The song made its way to the top of several Nigerian music charts.[11]
323 Entertainment/Mavin Records[edit]
Savage established her own label imprint, 323 Entertainment, with her then-manager and husband Tunji "Tee Billz" Balogun whom she got engaged to on 5 February 2013.[16]She joined Don Jazzy's Mavin Records in 2012 after the label she co-owns teamed up with the executive producer. She was one of the lead artists on Solar Plexus, the record label's first compilation album.[6][9]
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