Tiwa Savage has reflected on a pivotal moment in her career, opening up about the challenges she faced when transitioning from R&B to Afrobeats after moving back to Nigeria in 2012.
Before returning home, the singer had built experience on the international stage, working as a backup vocalist for renowned artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige. However, adapting to the evolving Nigerian music scene came with its own set of difficulties.
Speaking in a recent interview, Savage explained that shifting from her R&B roots to the more locally driven Afrobeats sound was not an easy process at first.
“It was difficult for me to transition from R&B to street sounds. But when I was at Mavin Records, Don Jazzy opened my mind to so many different things. He made me believe that talent was not limited, that I could do anything if I really focused on it.
“He took me out of that R&B bubble and introduced me to other sounds,” she explained.
Her time at Mavin Records, under the mentorship of Don Jazzy, proved to be a turning point. According to Savage, his influence helped broaden her creative perspective and gave her the confidence to experiment beyond her original genre.
The singer noted that embracing Afrobeats ultimately shaped her identity in the Nigerian music industry and allowed her to connect more deeply with her audience.
Looking back, Savage said she has no regrets about returning to Nigeria or making the transition, describing the move as a defining step in her journey to becoming one of Africa’s leading music stars.
