Tiwa Savage Opens Up: “I Was a Tomboy Until My Ex-Husband Rebranded Me”

Renowned Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, has candidly shared that her iconic sexy image was not how she initially saw herself, explaining that she was once a tomboy before entering the Nigerian music scene.

During her time abroad as a songwriter, Savage said she often wore oversized clothing, highlighting that her transformation into a fashion-forward, sultry diva began after meeting her former manager and ex-husband, Tunji Balogun, popularly known as Teebillz.

The award-winning artist made this revelation in a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, hosted by music journalist Joey Akan. In her words, Savage credited Teebillz with helping her develop the public image that would later become her signature in the Afrobeats industry.

“The level of sensuality in my 2024 music video ‘Wanted’ was groundbreaking for that time,” she recalled. “I had just gotten married, and the media was circulating narratives that I had lost my appeal and that my era had ended. So I thought, why not make a bold statement?”

She emphasized that her performance in Wanted was her form of rebellion against public opinion:

“That move wasn’t solely about appearing sexy—it was more about proving a point. Honestly, being sexy wasn’t natural to me. I’ve always been a tomboy at heart. But Teebillz noticed a market gap. He encouraged me to work out, wax my eyebrows, wear wigs, and revamp my entire image. That wasn’t who I was back in Los Angeles when he first met me.”

Back then, she said, she was simply a studio songwriter dressed in baggy jeans and T-shirts, with no focus on glamour. Teebillz saw potential and envisioned Tiwa Savage as Nigeria’s answer to Rihanna or Beyoncé, and she was willing to give it a try.

“When we returned to Nigeria, my bold fashion choices sparked backlash. I eventually ran back to Los Angeles after the criticism intensified.”

She also recalled some disheartening experiences in the Nigerian entertainment scene:

“I was denied stage appearances at shows, sometimes because high-profile individuals like the governor’s wife reportedly disapproved of my outfits. There were even restrictions placed on my performances, with warnings like ‘don’t wear those skimpy dresses.’”

One notable incident was when her hit single Love Me got banned from television, leaving her disheartened. Savage admitted to feeling discouraged at that point. But a call from Bizzle Osikoya, reminding her that women were beginning to appreciate her boldness, reignited her resolve.

“I’ve shared this story before—when I returned to Nigeria, I approached all the major record labels. I went to Storm Records, Mo’Hits, EME owned by Banky W, and they all turned me down.”