Tiwa Savage sent social media into a frenzy with a line that caught many off guard in a recent interview. Asked if she felt she deserved a place in the Big 3 conversation, she didn’t mince words.”If we were to go talent for talent, mic for mic, I’m the big 1.”
It’s bold, at least, but if there’s anyone with the receipts to back it up, it’s Tiwa Savage. Let’s be honest: if we are talking about grinding talent, influence, and the ability to move an audience—she’s right up there, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
However, despite her undeniable success and numerous accolades, there’s still hesitation in including her in that conversation. If the Big 3 is about boundary-breaking, global acknowledgement, and just pure, unfiltered talent, then Tiwa is already there, holding her own.
So, let’s take a closer look into her career, moment by moment, to understand why Tiwa Savage deserves to be in the Big 3 conversation.
Breaking Barriers for Women in Afrobeats
Before Tiwa, the Afrobeats scene was male dominated. While other artistes were dropping fast-paced songs, Tiwa came up with something different for the soundscape. Like her classic love song, “Kele Kele Love” in 2010. She introduced something fresh to the music scene with her rich vocals.
Tiwa has also managed to break barriers where it counts: endorsement deals and brand partnerships. Talking about contracts with Pepsi in 2012, MTN in 2013. These moves established Afrobeats as a genre worthy of serious international investment. When she partnered with Motown in 2019, it was a signal that Afrobeats had crossed borders, and she was leading that charge.
Talent-for-Talent: She’s a Powerhouse
Well, if we are stripping off hype to put these artistes on the stage with a mic and pure vocal ability. Tiwa’s voice is one of a kind. With her consistent vocal strength, the tone, with emotive power, she belongs to her own league.
The purity in her voice—raw but well-honed-becomes undeniable. Tiwa can hold an acoustic set with nothing but her vocal cords and a mic.
Afrobeats on the World’s Stage, with Tiwa at the Frontline
Afrobeats Big 3 must embody not just local dominance but also global reach, and Tiwa Savage has taken the genre to levels that few imagined. Burna Boy, Wizkid and Davido may have cracked the O2 Arena, but Tiwa’s been performing across the same circuits, with headline acts on her terms.
In 2018, she became the first African female to sell out London’s IndigO2, and she was handpicked by Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to perform alongside Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Jay Z live at the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg to an 70,000 strong audience and millions across the globe.
In the same year, she released a string of smash hits such as ‘Mr Lova Lova’ ft Duncan Mighty, ‘Diet’ and ‘Tiwa’s Vibe’ all hitting the No. 1 spot across charts all over Africa and securing her position as one of Afrobeats leading artists.
Resilience and Relevance: The Staying Power of Savage
Longevity is the litmus test for anyone wanting to be in the Big 3, and Tiwa Savage has passed it. Where so many artists have burned out, Tiwa Savage has remained at the top of her game. She has put out various albums, her most recent one being “Water and Garri,” which is a body of work full of artistry, culture, and strong features; this is also a soundtrack project for her “Water and Garri” Movie.
She has her finger on the pulse of culture, venturing into new sounds while never forgetting where she comes from.
To ignore Tiwa Savage in the Big 3 conversation is to miss the full picture. Her career is one of boundary-breaking talent, resilience, and global recognition. While Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy are icons, Tiwa is equally a game-changer.
She’s defied expectations, redefined Afrobeats for a global audience, and created a path for future artists.
