Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage has opened up about her radical transformation from a shy, baggy-jeans-wearing tomboy to a bold, sultry performer—a metamorphosis she credits to her ex-husband and former manager, Tunji “Teebillz” Balogun. Speaking on the latest episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast with Joey Akan, the award-winning artist offered raw insight into the branding decisions that catapulted her to fame.
According to Savage, the rebranding process began shortly after she returned to Nigeria to launch her solo music career. Having worked for years behind the scenes in Los Angeles as a songwriter, she recalled feeling out of place when first thrown into the limelight. “I was just a studio girl in L.A., wearing baggy jeans and T-shirts,” she said. “TJ saw something different. He said, ‘We’re going to give them the African Rihanna or Beyoncé.’”
She recounted how Teebillz insisted on a total image overhaul—from gym sessions to wardrobe changes, eyebrow grooming, and wearing wigs. The transformation culminated in the now-iconic 2014 single Wanted, whose provocative visuals sparked headlines and public debate. “That video was me being rebellious. People said I was finished because I got married. So, I went ahead and did something crazy,” she said.
But the new image didn’t come without backlash. Savage recalled being denied stage time at events where government officials’ wives objected to her outfits. “I remember waiting backstage and they wouldn’t call me out. I was told, ‘Make sure you don’t wear any of those skimpy dresses,’” she said. One of her breakout tracks, Love Me, was even banned from Nigerian TV stations, a blow that nearly pushed her back to L.A. permanently.
Despite these challenges, the singer’s confidence began to rebuild after receiving unexpected encouragement from fans and industry friends. “Bizzle called and told me women were loving me. That helped,” she said. Still, her early efforts to land a record deal were met with rejection. “I went to all the labels—Storm Records, Mo’Hits, EME—and they all said no,” she revealed.
Savage’s story underscores the tension many female artists face between authenticity and industry-driven image reinvention. While her transformation ignited criticism, it also redefined the boundaries of female expression in the Nigerian music scene. From cultural resistance to global recognition, Tiwa Savage’s rise remains a landmark in Afrobeats history.
