Tiwa Savage Opens Up on Switching from R&B to Afrobeats

Tiwa Savage reveals her challenging R&B to Afrobeats transition, crediting Don Jazzy for helping her break out of her comfort zone.

Tiwa Savage speaking about her Afrobeats transition and Don Jazzy

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has pulled back the curtain on a major turning point in her career. She recently spoke about the difficulties she faced when she switched from R&B to Afrobeats.

The celebrated singer made this revelation during a candid interview with TVC. She explained that the change did not happen overnight, nor was it easy.

Before her return to Nigeria in 2012, Savage was building a solid career abroad. She worked as a backup singer for global music icons like George Michael and Mary J. Blige. Her roots were deeply planted in R&B.

However, the explosive growth of the Nigerian music industry caught her attention. She made the bold decision to move back home and signed with Mavin Records.

Stepping into the Afrobeats scene proved to be a tough challenge. The 'Kele Kele Love' crooner admitted she struggled to blend her smooth R&B style with the local street sounds.

This is where her former label boss, Don Jazzy, stepped in as a game-changer. Savage credited him for helping her navigate the unfamiliar terrain.

She recalled how the Mavin boss expanded her creative horizons. He made her realize that her talent was not confined to just one genre.

According to Savage, Don Jazzy told her that talent has no limits. He assured her that she could achieve absolutely anything if she simply focused on it.

The veteran producer actively pulled her out of her comfortable R&B bubble. He then introduced her to a wide variety of sounds that shaped her new musical direction.

Despite the initial struggle, the singer has no regrets. Looking back, she is entirely happy with her choice to return to Nigeria.

The shift from R&B to Afrobeats was a massive risk at the time. Today, it stands as the defining move that cemented her status as an African music queen.