Nigerian music icon Tiwatope Savage Balogun popularly known with her stage name Tiwa Savage has offered a rare and intimate look into her personal journey, career decisions, and the behind-the-scenes struggles faced by many artistes.
In a candid conversation with journalist Joey Akan on Afrobeats Intelligence, the Afrobeats queen spoke openly about the highs and lows of her music career, motherhood, and the pressures that come with fame.
Reflecting on the timing of her music breakthrough, Tiwa revealed that while starting her career at a later age initially felt like a disadvantage, it ultimately proved to be a blessing.
“I was very intentional about sustaining my career. Me starting at a late age was a blessing at the time, I didn’t think it was though,” she said.
The singer, known for hits like Koroba and Somebody’s Son, explained how maturity helped her make more strategic choices in a highly competitive industry.
On the topic of motherhood, Tiwa spoke about the care she takes in raising her son, Jamil, especially when it comes to his potential interest in music.
She stressed that she doesn’t want him to feel pressured by her legacy.
“I’ve seen a lot of kids whose parents are amazing singers and musicians… they learned, but they don’t have that natural gift. I didn’t want my son to feel pressured going into music because of me,” she explained.
Instead, the singer said she hopes her son finds his own path organically.
“If it really is what he is supposed to do, he will find it in spite of me. And then I can really encourage it. Music is tough,” she said.
For Tiwa, giving her child the freedom to discover his interests is as important as offering him support, especially in an industry that demands resilience and self-assurance.
Tiwa also didn’t shy away from discussing the often-unseen mental and financial pressures that accompany life as a public figure.
“It’s difficult for artistes mentally as well. Imagine being an artiste and you’re not really making as much money as people think, but you have to live like you are. To build the larger-than-life image, you have to appear to have money, when a lot of the times you don’t, and it’s not consistent,” she revealed.
She touched on the emotional toll of constant public scrutiny, saying:
“You are open for public perception, public opinion. You have to either from the very onset be very thick-skinned or you have to grow it over years.”
Her honest reflections underscore the contrast between public perception and the real-life challenges many artists quietly endure.
The interview has drawn praise from fans and fellow creatives alike for its honesty and depth, highlighting Tiwa Savage not just as a performer but as a woman navigating fame, family, and personal growth with grace and transparency.
