Tiwa Savage Says Afrobeats Helped Her Embrace Her African Identity
Nigerian singer and Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage has revealed how the growth of Afrobeats helped her overcome the shame she once felt about being African while growing up in London. She said the success of the genre has changed how Africans are seen globally and has made her more confident and proud of her roots.
Speaking at the Unstoppable Africans event, Tiwa Savage said that Afrobeats has played a big role in reshaping Africa’s image on the world stage. She explained that the genre has become a powerful tool for promoting African culture, fashion, and creativity. According to her, Afrobeats was built from almost nothing—without government support, record label structures, or international backing—yet it has become one of the fastest-growing music genres in the world.
She recalled her early years in London, where she often felt uncomfortable identifying as African because of how negatively Africans were viewed at the time. However, she said everything changed when Afrobeats began gaining global attention and respect. Seeing artists like herself, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido perform to international audiences made her realize how powerful and beautiful African music truly is.
“Afrobeats is the fastest-growing genre in the world,” Tiwa Savage said. “We created it from nothing—no support, no infrastructure, no belief even from our people at first. I remember growing up in London and not being proud to be African. But now, because of Afrobeats, I am very proud to say I’m African.”
Tiwa also dismissed claims that Afrobeats is beginning to fade. She said that the genre’s growth continues, as seen in the number of global collaborations, sold-out concerts, and top-charting songs coming from African artists. According to her, Afrobeats has gone beyond music; it is now a movement that celebrates African pride and culture.
She added that one in every four Black people in the world is believed to be African or Nigerian, which shows how influential the continent is. This, she said, proves that Africa’s presence in global music and culture cannot be ignored or silenced.
“There was a time people said Afrobeats would only shine for 15 minutes and then fade away,” she said. “But look at us now. We are selling out stadiums, topping charts, and collaborating with the biggest artists in the world. Afrobeats is not slowing down. We are here to stay because we are Africans, and we are unstoppable.”
Tiwa Savage’s story reflects how Afrobeats has gone beyond entertainment to become a source of pride and identity for many Africans. Through her success and that of other African artists, the world has begun to see the beauty, strength, and creativity of the African continent in a new light.
