Profile Summary
| Full Name | Tiwatope Omolara Savage |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Tiwa Savage, African Bad Girl |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of Birth | 5th February, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Isale Eko, Lagos |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Height | 5′7″ (170 cm) |
| Number of Children | 1 (Jamil Balogun) |
| Education | University of Kent (Accounting), Berklee College of Music (Professional Music) |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Actress |
| Relationship Status | Divorced (ex-husband: Tee Billz) |
| Record Label(s): | Universal Music Group (current); Mavin Records (former) |
| Social Profiles | Twitter, Instagram |
Tiwa Savage Biography – Early Life
Tiwatope Omolara Savage was born on February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko in Lagos State Nigeria. She was raised in a lovely Christian home before her family relocated to London when she was only 11 years old.
Education
After completing her undergraduate degree in Accounting at the University of Kent, Tiwa earned a Professional Music degree from Berklee College of Music (2007).
Family
Tiwa was born into a loving family of five. Her father Mr. Savage and her mother Mrs. Savage, incredibly support her music career. She has two brothers, Wale Savage and Shola Savage.
Music Career
Tiwa Savage had a deep love for music since she was young. During her high school years, she played the trombone in the local orchestra band.
At the age of 16, she got an opportunity to be a backup vocalist for the iconic singer George Michael.
Tiwa continued to work as a background vocalist for several other renowned musicians, including Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Emma Bunton, and Andrea Bocelli.
In 2006, Tiwa joined the X-Factor show in the United Kingdom, where she achieved reasonably good results and made it to the final 24.
However, she did not make it to the live shows as her participation in the competition coincided with her studies at Berklee College of Music.
Despite the setback, Tiwa never gave up on her career. In 2009, she signed with Sony ATV Music Publishing Company and wrote songs for several big artists like Kat Deluna, Mya, Monica, and Babyface.
She even wrote Monica’s beautiful ballad “Catch Me” and co-wrote a song titled “Collard Greens & Cornbread” on American vocal powerhouse Fantasia Barrino’s Back to Me album.
Record Label
In 2012, Tiwa was signed to Mavin Records owned by Don Jazzy, but the Afrobeats Queen would later exit the label after signing a seven-year publishing and distribution contract with Universal Music Group (UMG), in May 2019.
Acting & Performance
Tiwa Savage played a lead role in the movie Water & Garri, released on Prime Video (May 10, 2024); she also co-wrote/performed the soundtrack.
She performed at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert (Windsor Castle) on May 7, 2023.
Discography
Tiwa has released a total of 3 studio albums and 2 EPs
Studio albums:
- Once Upon a Time (2013) – Debut Album
- R.E.D (2015)
- Celia (2020)
EPs:
- Sugarcane (2017)
- Water & Garri (2021)
Achievements and Awards
Tiwa has received a lot of awards and recognition for her musical talents. Some of these include;
- African Muzik Magazine Awards – Best Female West Africa.
- City People Entertainment Award – Female Musician of the Year
- Channel O Music Awards
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards- Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year
- The Headies- Best R&B/Pop Album and best collaboration
- MTV Africa Music Awards- Best Female Artist and Best Collaboration
Personal Life & Controversies
Not much is known about the singer’s private life as she prefers keeps a low profile, however the singer often finds herself in the midst of feuds and scandals.
In 2016 Tiwa Savage divorced her ex-husband Tunji Balogun popularly known as “Tee Billz” after he accused her of infidelity just three years into their marriage. She however debunked the claims and instead blamed her Ex husband for the failed marriage citing his use of hard drugs and financial recklessness as the main contributing factors.
Tiwa Savage also had a fall out with fellow musician Seyi Shay in June 2021.
In a video that went viral, Savage and Seyi were seen exchanging words and throwing curses at each other.
It was later gathered that the beef started after Tiwa snubbed Seyi’s greeting at a salon in Lekki Lagos, where both singers had gone to have their hair done.
The singer was also embroiled in a scandal that cost her millions of dollars in deals after a blackmailer leaked her private tape on social media in October 2021.
Tiwa Savage Age
Tiwa is 45 years old, as of 2025.
Does Tiwa Savage Have Children?
She has a son named, Jamil Balogun (JamJam) who is 9 years old. She had Jamil for her ex-husband Tee Billz .
Quick Facts About Tiwa Savage
1. How old is Tiwa Savage now?
She was born 5 Feb 1980, so she’s 45 (as of Aug 2025).
2. Where is Tiwa Savage from?
Isale Eko, Lagos State, Nigeria (but she moved to London at the age of 11)
3. What did Tiwa Savage study?
Accounting at the University of Kent; later Professional Music at Berklee College of Music.
4. Is Tiwa Savage married?
She was married to Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun in 2013, but they divorced in 2018, however they continue co-parenting till this day. In a recent interview, Tiwa stylishly hinted that she is ready to give marriage another chance but on the grounds that her next husband must be very rich.
5. How did Tiwa Savage become famous?
After years as a backing vocalist (George Michael, Mary J. Blige) and X Factor UK (2006), she signed with Mavin, then released Once Upon a Time (2013) and later Celia (2020), cementing her Afrobeats profile.
6. What label is Tiwa Savage signed to now?
She is currently signed to Universal Music Group. She announced a deal with the label in 2019 after exiting Mavin Records.
7. Did Tiwa Savage perform at the King’s coronation?
Yes—May 7, 2023, Windsor Castle Coronation Concert for King Charles III.
