Learn About Tiwa Savage and Tems – A Singer, Song Writer and Actress and Controversy Surrounding them

Paul | January 25, 2024 | Nigeria | No Comments

Born on February 5, 1980, Tiwatope Savage is a British-Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. Hailing from Isale Eko, she ventured into music at the age of 16, providing synth sounds for renowned artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. Following her appearance on the UK edition of The X Factor and graduating from Berklee College of Music, Savage secured a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009. Fueled by the burgeoning Nigerian music scene, she returned to Nigeria in 2012 and inked a deal with Mavin Records.

Her inaugural studio album, “Once Upon a Time,” debuted on July 3rd, 2013, featuring hit singles like “Kele Kele Love,” “Eminado,” and “Olorun Mi.” The album earned nominations for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014. The release of her second studio album, “R.E.D.,” on December 19, 2015, introduced singles such as “My Darlin” and “Standing Ovation.” In June 2016, Roc Nation welcomed Savage into a management and publishing deal. The songstress unveiled her first EP, “Sugarcane,” in September 2017, and both “R.E.D” and “Sugarcane” received nominations for Best Album at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Pioneering in her achievements, Tiwa Savage was the initial female Nigerian artist nominated for a BET award in 2014. In the same year, she clinched the best female category at the Channel O Music Awards. Additionally, she secured a nomination at the 2018 MTV European Music Award, triumphing in the same category in 2018.

A groundbreaking moment occurred in November 2018 when Savage became the first woman to win Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Her announcement of a record deal with Universal Music Group and departure from Mavin Records transpired in May 2019. Singing fluently in both English and Yoruba, Savage seamlessly weaves together Afrobeats, R&B, pop, and hip-hop in her music. Beyond her artistic prowess, she actively engages in projects advocating for youth empowerment, breast cancer screening, and fundraising for school construction in Nigeria.

Early Life & Education:

Born: February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Education: University of Kent (degree in accounting), Berklee College of Music (professional music degree).

Career Beginnings:

Started her music career at 16, providing backing vocals for artists like George Michael and Mary J. Blige.
Auditioned for the UK version of The X Factor in 2006 and signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009.

Return to Nigeria:

Returned to Nigeria in 2012, signed with Mavin Records.
Debut studio album, “Once Upon a Time,” released on July 3, 2013, with hit singles like “Kele Kele Love,” “Eminado,” and “Olorun Mi.”

R.E.D. Album:

Second studio album, “R.E.D.,” released on December 19, 2015, featuring singles “My Darlin” and “Standing Ovation.”
Nominated for Best Album at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Sugarcane Album and Global Recognition:

Released the EP “Sugarcane” in September 2017.
Became the first woman to win Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Universal Music Group Deal:

Signed a record deal with Universal Music Group in May 2019.
Released singles like “49-99” and “Attention” under Motown Records.

Celia Album:

Released the album “Celia” on August 28, 2020, featuring singles like “Attention” and “Owo Mi Da.”

Personal Life:

Married Tunji Balogun in 2013; they have a son together.
Accusations of marital issues and divorce surfaced in 2016.

Achievements and Awards:

First female Nigerian musician nominated for a BET award in 2014.
Won Best African Act at the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Numerous nominations and awards at Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies.

Philanthropy and Activism:

Involved in projects for youth empowerment and breast cancer screening.
Raised funds to build schools in Nigeria.

Recent Controversy:

Faced a sex tape controversy in 2021, where leaked footage led to mixed reactions and expressions of support from both fans and fellow celebrities.

Tiwatope Savage, often referred to as Tiwa Savage, has had a remarkable journey in the music industry, marked by achievements, global recognition, and occasional controversies. From her early days providing vocals for international artists to becoming a trailblazing figure in Nigerian music, her impact continues to be felt across the industry.

Sex Tape Scandal

In an interview on October 8, 2021, Tiwa Savage disclosed that she was facing an extortion attempt involving a leaked sex tape featuring her and her boyfriend. Subsequently, on October 19, 2021, the explicit contents of the sex tape were revealed, depicting vaginal intercourse with Tiwa Savage as a participant, and the identity of the male partner remained unknown.

The revelation of the sex tape stirred diverse reactions, with some fans asserting that the leaked footage might have been a deliberate marketing strategy. While a majority of fans and public figures criticized the explicit video involving Tiwa Savage, certain celebrities, including Mercy Aigbe, Harrysong, and others, took to social media to express their support for her.

Tiwa Savage later took to Instagram, sharing a cryptic message that suggested a shift in perspective, stating, “Change that sh*t to the game and never talk about it again,” implying that fans should disregard the incident.

Controversies with Davido

In a petition addressed to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adegoke, circulating online, Tiwa Savage alleges that the acclaimed ‘Unavailable’ artist, Davido, threatened her in response to a social media post she made.

Tiwa has urged the police commissioner to hold Davido accountable for any potential harm to her, asserting that he had received warnings through their shared connections.

The conflict appears to be rooted in Tiwa Savage’s association with Sophia Momodu, Davido’s estranged baby mama. The dispute escalated after Tiwa’s Instagram post featuring herself and Sophia Momodu. The petition outlines Davido’s objection to the post, accusing Tiwa of taunting him and using derogatory language.

The petition reads: “I am writing to bring to your attention a distressing situation involving myself, Tiwatope Omolara Savage, popularly known as Tiwa Savage, and Mr David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.”

Tiwa recounts Davido’s messages warning her and alleging disrespectful behavior. She emphasizes their past friendship, including support during his challenges. Tiwa concludes by expressing her concerns about online and offline harassment and holds Davido responsible for any harm to her or her family.

The public rift between the two artists gained attention on January 6 when they mutually unfollowed each other on Instagram. Despite a history of friendship and shared experiences involving their children, alleged private confrontations have surfaced on Nigerian blogs, revealing a heated exchange between the two stars.

Temilade Openiyi (Tems)- Biography, Songs, Age, Education and Legal issue in Uganda

Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She gained widespread recognition after her feature on Wizkid’s 2020 single “Essence,” reaching number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a remix with Justin Bieber, earning her a Grammy Award nomination. In the same year, she collaborated with Drake on the song “Fountains.”

Tems released her debut extended play, “For Broken Ears,” in 2020. Following a record deal with RCA Records, she dropped her second extended play, “If Orange Was a Place,” in 2021. In 2022, Tems’ vocals from the song “Higher” were sampled by Future on his single “Wait for U,” resulting in her being credited as a featured artist alongside Drake. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first African artist to achieve this and the second Nigerian artist to top the chart. “Wait for U” earned her the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

Tems further showcased her versatility by covering Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack album. In the same month, her song “Free Mind” from her debut EP made history by debuting on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 46, and breaking the female record for the longest-charting number one song on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.

Her remarkable career has been adorned with numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award, two NAACP Image Awards, three BET Awards, and three Soul Train Music Awards. Tems has also demonstrated her songwriting prowess by co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” earning nominations for the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Grammy Award.

Tems Early Life

Temilade Openiyi, renowned as Tems, was born on July 11, 1995, in Lagos, Nigeria. She hails from a mixed heritage, with a Nigerian mother and a British father. At the age of 5, her parents separated, and she was raised by her single mother. Tems completed her primary education in Lagos and later pursued her studies at Dowen College in Lekki.

Following her early education, she furthered her academic journey in Johannesburg, where she studied Economics at a South African university. Despite being born into a modest family, Tems discovered her musical talent early on. She joined a local choir during her childhood, marking the beginning of her musical journey. Tems showcased her musical abilities by recording songs with her school choir and practicing with her brother’s guitar.

In a documentary with MU Narratives, she reflected on her formative years and how her music teacher played a pivotal role in boosting her confidence. Tems vividly recalled moments when her teacher encouraged her to embrace her authentic voice, dispelling any doubts she had about her own capabilities.

Tems Career

In 2018, Tems made a bold decision to leave her job and venture into music. She acquired self-production skills through online platforms, releasing her debut single “Mr Rebel” on July 18, 2018, which she produced herself. The following year, she dropped the single “Try Me,” gaining attention and recognition.

Tems continued to rise in 2020, featuring on Khalid and Disclosure’s “Know Your Worth” alongside Davido. She released her debut extended play (EP), “For Broken Ears,” on September 25, 2020, with the standout track “Damages” reaching significant chart positions and accumulating millions of views on YouTube. Later that year, she collaborated with Wizkid on the hit single “Essence,” earning her a Grammy Award nomination.

The momentum continued in 2021 with Tems being featured on Drake’s “Fountains” and releasing her second EP, “If Orange Was a Place,” after signing with RCA Records. The EP’s single “Crazy Tings” peaked at number three on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. Tems achieved more chart success and accolades, including topping the Billboard Next Big Sound chart and the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.

In 2022, she hosted the Vibe Radio Show on Apple Music 1, showcasing her influence in the industry. Her collaboration with Drake on Future’s “Wait for U” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her as the first African female artist to achieve this feat.

Tems further demonstrated her versatility by covering Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Her song “Free Mind” from the “For Broken Ears” EP reached number 44 on the Hot 100, earning platinum and silver certifications in the US and UK.

The year 2023 brought more accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Wait for U.” Tems won the Female MVP award at the Soundcity MVP Awards and was invited to the prestigious Met Gala. She earned a spot on the 2023 Time 100 Next list.

On October 5, 2023, Tems released the single “Me & U,” which topped charts in the UK and reached notable positions in the US. She announced the upcoming release of her second single of the year, “Not An Angel,” scheduled for December 8, 2023.

Tems Legal Issues

On December 14, 2020, Tems and fellow Nigerian singer Omah Lay were arrested in Uganda following their performance at a show. The Ugandan police cited a violation of COVID-19 lockdown protocols as the cause for their arrests. However, both artists believed that they were deliberately set up. Two days later, the Ugandan government released them, issued an apology for the wrongful arrests, and dropped the charges against both artists.