Tiwa Savage Says It’s Unfair to Exclude Tems from Afrobeats’ Big 3 [VIDEO]

Renowned Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has spoken out in defense of Tems, criticizing the exclusion of the Grammy-winning singer from Afrobeats’ prestigious “Big 3” category.

LMSINT MEDIA reports that the term Afrobeats Big 3 is commonly associated with Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, who are often celebrated as the genre’s most dominant global icons. However, Tiwa Savage has challenged this long-standing narrative, questioning why the contributions of female artists, especially Tems, are consistently overlooked.

During an exclusive interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, Tiwa Savage stressed that the criteria for naming Afrobeats’ top artistes are unfair and exclusionary, particularly toward women who have significantly shaped the genre.

She explained:

“Think about it—certain types of artistes get paid more, giving them the resources to invest heavily in influencers and radio play. As a result, their music is heard more widely. But I feel it is absolutely unfair to have conversations about Afrobeats’ Top 3 without mentioning someone like Tems. Are you serious?”

Her statement has reignited conversations across the Nigerian and global music community about gender bias in Afrobeats and the importance of recognizing women who have taken the sound to international heights.

Tems’ Rise to Global Stardom
Tems broke into the global scene in 2020 following her collaboration with Wizkid on the chart-topping hit Essence, a record that earned worldwide acclaim.

She won her first Grammy Award in 2023 for her contribution to the track Wait For U by Future featuring Drake. Continuing her meteoric rise, Tems secured her second Grammy Award in 2025, winning the category for Best African Performance, further solidifying her status as one of Afrobeats’ most influential figures.

With her groundbreaking achievements, many fans and industry experts agree with Tiwa Savage that Tems deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid.

? Watch Tiwa Savage’s full interview below: