Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage collaborates with singer Sam Smith

Hailed as the “Queen of Afrobeats,” Savage is the most popular female artist in Africa, and arguably the most popular artist in Nigeria. Last month, the globally celebrated fashion icon offered the first glimpse at her forthcoming album with “Dangerous Love” — a laid-back and enchanting track built on her signature blend of R&B and Afrobeats. Marking her directorial debut, the song’s video finds Savage co-directing alongside Ibra Ake (Childish Gambino, Beyoncé) for a stunning visual shot in Lagos, Nigeria.

Named after her mother, Celia showcases Savage’s extraordinary vocal talent and the incredible musical growth she’s experienced over the years. Born in Lagos, she grew up attending church with her parents and soon developed a love for performing, then relocated to London with her family at the age of 11. At the age of 16, she found herself singing backing vocals for George Michael — a turn of events that quickly led to working with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Emma Bunton, and Blu Cantrell.

Despite having already completed a degree in business administration at the University of Kent, Savage was determined to pursue music and landed a scholarship at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Although she later moved New York City and linked up with various producers and industry professionals, she eventually returned to Nigeria (a move partly motivated by the lack of true female superstars in her home country). In 2019, she signed an exclusive recording contract with Universal Records, releasing her first global single “49-99” under Motown Records that summer. By the following spring, Savage had graced the cover of Billboard magazine’s first issue devoted entirely to Africa, alongside Afrobeat superstars Davido and Mr Eazi.

Through the years, Savage’s fearlessness in merging eclectic genres has more than paid off, earning her an abundance of awards and accolades. To that end, she made history in 2018 by becoming the first female to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act. She’s since garnered four Channel O Music Video Award nominations, five World Music Award nominations, and a multitude of nominations from the MTV Africa Music Awards, BET Awards, MOBO Awards, and many more. She’s also undertaken a number of philanthropic endeavors, supporting several youth engagement organizations and breast-cancer-screening projects across Nigeria and beyond. Additionally, Savage is very active in #JusticeForUwa, loudly voicing her disgust at the rape of a young girl in a church in Nigeria and creating an Instagram account where rape victims can speak out. 

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