Tiwa Savage Explains Why She Rejected Queen of Afrobeats Title
Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has shared why she is not fully comfortable being called the “Queen of Afrobeats,” despite the love and admiration from fans.
The singer, who recently marked 12 years since her debut album Once Upon a Time, revealed during a chat with Apple Music’s Ebro that while the title is flattering, she does not believe it should belong to her alone. According to her, many other female artists also deserve recognition for their contributions to Afrobeats.
“People call me the Queen of Afrobeats, and I appreciate it,” Tiwa said. “But honestly, there are a lot of us who are queens. Personally, I don’t like that tag—it’s uncomfortable because it comes with heavy expectations.”
She explained that she never created the title for herself but understands why fans use it, since she was one of the first female artists in Nigeria to break into the global Afrobeats scene. Still, she believes sharing the spotlight is important.
Tiwa Savage also stressed that while she is grateful for the admiration, she chooses humility over labels. “If I start accepting it, then I feel I won’t be humble. It doesn’t make sense to me. But I do appreciate it. I’m not taking it for granted,” she added.
Her comments have sparked conversations online, with many fans praising her humility and others insisting that her achievements make her deserving of the crown.
This revelation highlights how Tiwa continues to balance fame, success, and authenticity while promoting Afrobeats on the global stage.
