Afrobeats sensation Tiwa Savage has shared a deeply personal account of her transformation from a tomboyish songwriter to one of the most glamorous and celebrated female figures in Nigerian music. In a recent interview, the award-winning singer opened up about how her former manager and ex-husband, Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, played a key role in reshaping her public image.
“Back then, I was just a studio girl in baggy jeans and tees,” Tiwa revealed. “Tee Billz came in and changed everything—he told me to lose weight, wax my brows, wear wigs. He said, ‘Let’s give them the African Rihanna or Beyoncé.’” That shift, she explained, marked a defining moment in her career, aligning her appearance with industry standards for stardom.
However, the journey wasn’t without hurdles. Tiwa recalled facing criticism and even performance bans due to her fashion choices. “Some event organizers would block me because the governor’s wife didn’t approve of my outfit,” she said. Still, she remained undeterred.
Her turning point came in 2024 with the release of the music video for Wanted, a bold and rebellious statement aimed at silencing critics who questioned her desirability post-marriage. “People thought I was no longer marketable. That video was my clapback,” she stated.
Tiwa also discussed how her early music, such as Love Me, faced censorship and rejection from major Nigerian labels, forcing her to briefly leave the country. “I went to Storm Records, Mo’Hits, and EME — all of them said no,” she revealed. But encouragement from her team and fan base reignited her determination to succeed.
Today, Tiwa Savage stands as a symbol of reinvention and perseverance in the music industry, breaking barriers for future generations of African female artists.
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