Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage is a Nigerian singer-songwriter associated with Afrobeats. Her career spans solo recording, international management and recording agreements, recognition at the MTV Europe Music Awards, music education initiatives and acting in the 2024 film Water and Garri.

Star Mover ranking

Not ranked in Music yet

0 points

Sign in to Move Up

Profile

About Tiwa Savage

Profile information current to 2026-08-19.

Nigeria · Singer-songwriter, Actor

Show full profile Hide full profile

Known for: Afrobeats; Nigerian popular music; Music education initiatives; Film acting
Country: Nigeria

Singer-songwriter
Actor

At a glance

Savage is a Nigerian singer-songwriter whose work is associated with Afrobeats and Nigerian popular music.
She received the Best African Act honor at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards and was described as the first female artist to receive it.
Her international career has included a management agreement with Roc Nation and an exclusive international recording agreement announced by Universal Music Group.
Beyond recording, Savage appeared in the 2024 drama Water and Garri and was named artistic advisor for a 2026 Lagos music intensive involving Berklee and the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation.

Background and musical training

Savage was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on February 5, 1980, and moved to London with her family at age 11. She completed a degree at the University of Kent before studying Professional Music at Berklee College of Music, where she earned a diploma. Berklee sources disagree on the exact title of her Kent degree and on her Berklee completion year.

Early professional experience

Before establishing her solo career, Savage worked as a backing vocalist and performed with artists including George Michael, Kelly Clarkson and Mary J. Blige. In 2006, she competed in the UK edition of The X Factor, reaching the judges' houses stage, which Berklee described as the top 24.

Recording career and international recognition

Savage signed with Mavin Records in 2012 and released her debut album, Once Upon A Time, in 2013. A management agreement with Roc Nation followed in 2016. She received the Best African Act honor at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards, and Universal Music Group announced an exclusive international recording agreement with her in May 2019. Her later releases include the 2025 album This One Is Personal.

Film and music education

Savage was a credited cast member in the 2024 drama film Water and Garri. In February 2026, Berklee announced a partnership with the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation for a Lagos music intensive planned for April 2026, identifying Savage as the program's artistic advisor.

Timeline

2006 Competed in the UK series of The X Factor, reaching the judges' houses stage or top 24.
2012 Signed with Mavin Records.
2013-07-02 Released her debut album, Once Upon A Time.
2016 Signed a management agreement with Roc Nation.
2018 Received the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act.
2019-05-02 Universal Music Group announced an exclusive international recording agreement with Savage.
2024 Appeared in the drama film Water and Garri.
2025-08-29 Released the album This One Is Personal, credited by Apple Music to Everything Savage and EMPIRE.
2026-02-25 Berklee announced a partnership with the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation for a Lagos music intensive, identifying Savage as artistic advisor.

Additional verified details

Current context

Apple Music listed Energy, credited to Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal and Mavo, as Savage's latest release. This is a platform catalog observation and should be rechecked where recency is material.

Biographical facts

Tiwa Savage was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on February 5, 1980.
She moved from Lagos to London with her family at age 11.
She completed a degree at the University of Kent and later earned a diploma in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music.
Before her solo breakthrough, she worked as a backing vocalist and performed with artists including George Michael, Kelly Clarkson and Mary J. Blige.
She competed in the 2006 UK series of The X Factor and reached the judges' houses stage, described by Berklee as the top 24.
Savage received the Best African Act honor at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards; Universal Music Group and The Guardian described her as the first female artist to receive the accolade.
Savage was a credited cast member in the 2024 drama film Water and Garri.

Connections

Affiliations

Affiliations associated with Tiwa Savage.

Mavin Records Recording artist 2012
Roc Nation Management client 2016
Universal Music Group Artist under an exclusive international recording agreement announced in 2019 2019-05-02