Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage has opened up about her transformation from a tomboyish songwriter to a sexy diva, crediting her ex-husband and former manager, Tunji Balogun (aka Teebillz), for rebranding her image.
During a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast hosted by Joey Akan, Tiwa reflected on her early days abroad, where she wore baggy clothes and focused on songwriting, far from the glamorous persona she is known for today.
She revealed, “Back then, I was just a tomboy—wearing baggy jeans and t-shirts in the studio. When Teebillz met me in L.A., he saw potential and told me I had to reinvent myself. He pushed me to lose weight, hit the gym, wax my eyebrows, and start wearing wigs. He literally transformed my entire look.”
Tiwa shared how this bold new image debuted with her 2024 single Wanted, which showcased a level of sexiness that felt revolutionary at the time. “I had just gotten married, and the press was saying, ‘She’s not desirable anymore, her time is over.’ So, I decided to be rebellious. I wasn’t trying to be sexy naturally—I’m a tomboy by nature—but I wanted to prove them wrong.”
Despite the fresh direction, Tiwa faced backlash when she returned to Nigeria. “My fashion sense sparked criticism. I even ran back to L.A. because of it. I’d go to shows backstage and wouldn’t be called out because maybe the governor’s wife disapproved of my skimpy dresses. At one point, my song ‘Love Me’ was banned on TV. It was discouraging.”
She also recalled the struggles of breaking into the Nigerian music scene. “I went to all the major labels—Storm Records, Mo’Hits, Banky W’s EME—and they all said no.”
But through it all, Tiwa’s resilience and Teebillz’s vision helped her break barriers and carve out a legendary career. “He wanted to give the African music scene its own Rihanna or Beyoncé, and I was ready to go for it.”
