Enter Tiwa Savage.
Boasting a resume as impressive as her looks, the Nigerian newcomer is already somewhat of an international entity.
Born in Lagos, raised in London, and working in LA, the singer-songwriter has made quite the mark in each territory. For upon re-locating to the UK at age 10, she spent several years honing her talent until eventually catching the eye of George Michael and his team- who invited her to sing background for him on tour at age 17. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the trek lead to her taking up similar roles with the likes of Mary J Blige, Kelly Clarkson, and Chaka Khan.
Keen to step out from the shadows, Savage entered the UK incarnation of the X Factor, making it all the way to the Judges Houses segment of the 2006 series.
Since then, she’s signed a lucrative publishing deal with Sony Music (US), a union which saw her pen Fantasia‘s ‘Collard Greens & Cornbread’ (from the critically acclaimed ‘Back to Me’ LP). However, Savage’s biggest break comes in the form of her sizzling new single ‘Kele Kele’.
With Savage now dividing her time between Lagos and the US, the track and its accompanying video (above) fuse the best of both worlds. Indeed, she oozes a sass and confidence not dissimilar from Beyonce (interestingly featuring one of her staple dancer’s Kreyshaun in the clip), while seamlessly weaving in her native tongue.
It’s combination which seems to be paying off. For, not only has Savage taken her homeland by storm, she is drumming up quite the buzz on an global scale – giving an added boast to the long-overdue inclusion of African artists and music in the mainstream arena. A trend which recently saw Kanye West sign Nigerian star D’Banj to his G.O.O.D Music imprint.
For now, though, all eyes are on the stunning Ms. Savage, who you can hear more from below. Be sure to let us know what you think!
65 COMMENTS
Kerry Johnson
September 11, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Kiss Me !!!!
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rebel_tkwon
September 11, 2011 at 12:52 pm
She’s 9jas own kelly rowland!! Sweet sexy & down 2 earth yo!
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JUDAS666
September 11, 2011 at 12:54 pm
SHE CRAPS VERSUS WHITNEY DOING “JESUS LOVES ME”. UGH…!!
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Redeem
September 11, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I’m from south africa And might I say African music is wack and cheap sounding! Really it is Well not all There are some great catchy tracks here Dbanj omw #EpicFail lmaoo I like tiwa she is really great this is top notch for Africa
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YEABEY WON'T DANCE 4 U
September 11, 2011 at 12:56 pm
The video in the beginning SCREAMS Rude Boy…same effect, shirtless guy and everything!
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LouLou
September 11, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Like the second video better than hers.
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commanderofthedancefloor
September 11, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@YEABEY, lol i thought the same thing
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YEABEY WON'T DANCE 4 U
September 11, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@COMMANDEROFTHEDANCEFLOOR
I stand corrected! The WHOLE video is a Rude Boy remake!
Anyway I like the song! Nice cross between African music and pop music!
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Kerry Johnson
September 11, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Kiss me now!!!!
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Joseph McCoy
September 11, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I’m impressed.
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jean alchemist
September 11, 2011 at 1:16 pm
holla @ me
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IT'S ALL GOOD!!!
September 11, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Is it just me or is this a rip-off of the “Rude Boy” video by: Rihanna. Am I seeing things?
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Darren
September 11, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Are you joking? that was terrible.
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word
September 11, 2011 at 1:42 pm
I loved it hope asked around a while
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IT'S ALL GOOD!!!
September 11, 2011 at 1:46 pm
She stole the whole video from Rihanna. Same dancing same background, same EVERYTHING! Smh!
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Gilberto
September 11, 2011 at 2:10 pm
How is it rip-off of Rude Boy when Rude Boy is already a copy of MIA’s Boyz? NEXT!
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ASAP (As Sincere As Possible)
September 11, 2011 at 2:12 pm
OK, I think pretty much everyone knows that I am not a Beyonce fan, but comparing this girl to Beyonce is a little TOO much…Her video and song were forgettable at best.She did very well in the cover, though and she has good vocals; she just has to find some better songs.And I haven’t looked at the comment section yet, but I am pretty sure I am NOT the first one to point out that this video is desperately trying to be ‘Rude Boy’.
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Bustta
September 11, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Illuminati triangles AGAIN!
Frikkin Illuminati TRIANGLES! SICK OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Roab
September 11, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Loving her voice and more over the Brooklyn beat’em down doorknocker earrings! Nice…have to say she’s talented but we shall see..
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NATALIE
September 11, 2011 at 2:29 pm
She has a good voice. Good luck to her.
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Pop Culture King aka Jamir21: Rih,Bey,Brit,Gaga, Nicki SLAYS UR FAVES !
September 11, 2011 at 2:34 pm
This bitch copied off of my wifey Rihanna !!!!
Rude Boy rip-off !!!
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YEABEY WON'T DANCE 4 U
September 11, 2011 at 2:34 pm
@GILBERTO
Rihanna might have got it from MIA but this girl def ripped off Rihanna! She even did the thing Rihanna did in the Rude Boy video where she held her hair up and moved from side to side!
Same effects! Same Dances! Same shirtless guy! Same “splitting up” effect! Same effect where the name and lips pop up! Same way she is dancing on the guy!
This is Rude Boy without Rihanna!
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Pop Culture King aka Jamir21: Rih,Bey,Brit,Gaga, Nicki SLAYS UR FAVES !
September 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@ Yeabey So thats means Rihanna has an effect on pop culture ?
And p.s. Rihanna didnt directed the video that Melina girl did and she likes to steal stuff i wouldnt use her to direct my videos !
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NATALIE
September 11, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@YEABEY
Hiya.
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YEABEY WON'T DANCE 4 U
September 11, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@JAMIR21
I wouldn’t say the Rude Boy video will count as an effect on Pop Culture seeing that the Rude Boy video comes from an M.I.A video….
Melina whoever is not to be held fully accountable for the ideas that were “stolen”…The artist has a say in the matter of the video too…
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i'm a billy goat ....baa hide my sex tape
September 11, 2011 at 2:50 pm
First of all B**CH, you are tributing Whitney Houston because she is worthy! WTF was the hesitation and smacking your teeth about? Second, pulling hair out of your mouth was neither cute nor entertaining. Lastly, you “sang” that damn so girl…. bravo!! Now pull it together!!
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YEABEY WON'T DANCE 4 U
September 11, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@NATALIE
HI!!
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Pop Culture King aka Jamir21: Rih,Bey,Brit,Gaga, Nicki SLAYS UR FAVES !
September 11, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@ Natalie Hey
@ Yeabey Oh okay….!
But still this girl did copied off of Rihanna a bit !!!!
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YEABEY WON'T DANCE 4 U
September 11, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@JAMIR21
Nope!
SHE COPIED THE WHOLE VIDEO except a few things….
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Pop Culture King aka Jamir21: Rih,Bey,Brit,Gaga, Nicki SLAYS UR FAVES !
September 11, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@ Yeabey Okay
but Rude Boy is still a good video !
I always picture Countdown have some elements of Rude Boy in it for a video !!!
or it can be Beyonce on a spaceship !
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i'm a billy goat ....baa hide my sex tape
September 11, 2011 at 3:00 pm
She sounds too much like Brandy! Sorry dear Brandy is driving in that lane find another.
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Pop Culture King aka Jamir21: Rih,Bey,Brit,Gaga, Nicki SLAYS UR FAVES !
September 11, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@ I`m A Billy Goat…Baa Hide My Sex Tape
I HATE YOUR NAME ! bitch
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Dennis
September 11, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Is this girl singing well. I can’t hear it so with all the positive comments i’ll have to say that my computer isn’t working because from what i could hear i wasn’t moved nor impressed.
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Cookie (Contralto Diva's Toni Braxton, Amy W. Bran, Rih)
September 11, 2011 at 4:33 pm
This song is better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl88Lf7Iz3w&feature=related
She’s like the nigerian Kelly Rowland.
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DCP
September 11, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Rude boy video much ???
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Yellow Gorillah
September 11, 2011 at 6:24 pm
I LOVE THIS SONG
Was such a banger in the JUNGLE!!
I Love her even more for given me Rihanna Rude Boy Tease!! =P
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Rihannalover
September 11, 2011 at 7:09 pm
I love her and this song!!! I heard it a while back and it’s hot!!! I’m happy African music is getting the recognition it deserves! It’s a breath of fresh air and I can’t wait for it to blow up! Naija stand up!!!:-*
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nice_gurl
September 11, 2011 at 8:20 pm
She’s pretty good. The video was a lot like Rude Boy, but that’s alright. Her styling is good, but I don’t know if she will become popular.
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OGAGUS
September 11, 2011 at 10:47 pm
She is getting heavy in Nigeria, I watched her kill a stage on last Friday night. Tiwa is a performer, I used to doubt her vocal prowess untill that night. She has what it takes to be massive in Africa, not sure if she can crossover to international markets.
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Junior in Jamaica
September 11, 2011 at 11:06 pm
P.S. This is not new song/video. This has been available for months now…maybe longer.
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whoever
September 11, 2011 at 11:22 pm
how can anybody credit MIA with ANYTHING read a fucking book you idiots that keep bringing her up.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
September 12, 2011 at 2:34 am
I don’t know why ppl mentioning rihanna…I love rihanna but she aint got nothing on this girl? She can actually sing and isn’t all stiff when she dances like rihanna. No shade. This girl is the bizness tho. I love the tone of her voice. @yeabey I agree. The video is HEAVILY influenced by rudeboy! I like this better tho.
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Makgotso
September 12, 2011 at 3:12 am
@Redeem wow i would swear you are not from Africa, i’m from South Africa and i dont agree with all that ignorant shit you are just wrote. 1stly maybe listen to the rest of the continent. There’s more people doing great other than d’banj but i’m sure you’ve never heard of them so dont make snorty comments about our continent especially if you know nothing about it
do you know
IcePrince
M.I
Omawumi
Efya
Eldee
I can go on and on, before making damn ass comment on international blogs and make our continent look bad maybe do your research and expose yourself to the continent then you can comment from an informed place. You are very disappointing to say the least and to think we are from the same country that is very embarrasing. How you going to give such bad PR about our continent whn you evidently know nothing about African music
Book a flight somewhere, travel and get exposed instead of sitting in South Africa and talking shit
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BeyondGossip.com
September 12, 2011 at 3:31 am
@ JUNIOR IN JAMAICA…yep this track and video have been around for the best part of a year…
I like that she sings her Yoruba in her music…but homegirl don’t play she has a VERY impressive background musically. Collard Greens and Cornbread off Fantasia’s ‘Back 2 Me’ album which Tiwa Savage co-wrote was nominated for a Grammy in the best R&B album category earlier this year. Been songwriter since the age of 15 and recorded with big names like Babyface, Justin Timberlake Britney Spears Red One Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue Letoya Luckett’s and did background vocal on Whitney Houston’s album I look to you and much more. Defo feelin’ Tiwa Savage.
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nice_gurl
September 12, 2011 at 4:28 am
TGJ…if you’ve got nothing to post….what about this??
http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/09/11/pregnant-beyonce-jay-z-late-lunch-in-nyc/
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aisha aguilera keys
September 12, 2011 at 4:52 am
@Redeem
Wow, african music is wh
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aisha aguilera keys
September 12, 2011 at 4:55 am
@ Redeem
Wow, african music is “wack and cheap sounding”? Then what is techno and electro pop? Oh, ok.
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aisha aguilera keys
September 12, 2011 at 4:57 am
Otherwise girl can sing.
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kIMBERLY
September 12, 2011 at 5:16 am
To those who think this video is channeling rihanna’s dancing. Get it right. This dancing is originated from Africa and a lot of Africans and west Indians (caribbean islands) dances like that, It is called whining in the islands. Rihanna has yet to represent the way she should. I sense a lot of insecure rihanna fans. She is actually much better than rihanna and if she gets a great team who knows. Rihanna dances so stiff and is over sexual for a girl from the islands. Get over this rude boy video people. nothing special but some forced break up whining, I can do much better and the video just proved better.
Nowadays everything is a rip off? Have you guys study all of rihanna videos and see all the rip offs. Do that instead. Lots of them.
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kIMBERLY
September 12, 2011 at 5:20 am
@ WHOEVER how could anyone credit rihanna for anything. She does nothing in her career but sing what is given and do what is said. She only sees the final product!! SHE HAS YET TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON POP CULTURE. Leave Mia alone.
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I'ma have to send her to her maker
September 12, 2011 at 9:29 am
@Kimberly Nobody is crediting rihanna, dumbass. We just saying the graphics and visual effects of the video look like rihanna’s cuz that’s the truth. We know rihanna doesn’t think of the concepts of her vids. SMH. You must be insecure cuz you always bashing rihanna for no reason. #getittogether.
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Redeem
September 12, 2011 at 9:42 am
Same dancing as rihanna? Lmaooo she dances rihanna none talentless as to the trash can where it belongs
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MRB
September 12, 2011 at 10:09 am
This song is really nice!!! Yeah it is a bit rude boyish but forreal i think she brought her own flavor too this video and song! Id like to hear more music from her!!! Much respect!
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Precy
September 12, 2011 at 10:14 am
@redeem shut d fuck up southafricans musicians re wack but nt nigerians nd there re gud SA musicians lyk liquideep,lira etc wen it cums 2 9ja we brick quality music dats our product TIWA SAVAGE.
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Girls Magnet
September 12, 2011 at 11:47 am
The truth must be told. Tiwa is cool all the way . Her vocal is wonderful. The thing I love the most about music is how she is able to mix West African pidgin English with Yoruba and English .
Go girl , you are my girl any day…anytime
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Salem
September 12, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Every singer is influenced by Whitney, she is the vocal standard. However, this chick sounds alot like Brandy
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bmmm
September 12, 2011 at 1:54 pm
umm, Hummers are no longer made nor are they a sign of $$$ any longer: who is this chick?
and it’s obvious Rihanna’s Rude Boy video was her inspiration….seems like she needs to get with it: was this video made in 2001???!!
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bmmm
September 12, 2011 at 1:57 pm
I don’t care where she is from, who she is or what her skin color is (all factors that make no difference when good is good) but damn this is some stale sh*t right here!
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Abluve
September 13, 2011 at 7:10 am
Yet another set of dumb responseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!
One fundamental question that I need to ask you dumb nuts!!!!
Did Tiwa direct her own video?
So why all the arguments on who ripped rihanna’s rude boy off?
Seriously, sam you need growns up in here cos these bloggers are just a bunch of plain 10 year olds!
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New Video: Tiwa Savage – ‘Love Me’ | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?
October 11, 2011 at 5:39 am
[...] our introductory look at Afro-siren Tiwa [...]
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skintightjeans
November 17, 2011 at 3:26 pm
She’s beautiful in the first video. She looks like hot garbage in the second video and sounded like crap. she needs some make up on at all times.
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New Song: Tiwa Savage - 'Without My Heart (ft. Don Jazzy)' | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?
December 13, 2011 at 5:06 pm
[...] telling potential suitors she wanted no ‘Kele Kele’ love, feisty Naija stunner Tiwa Savage is back with latest effort ‘Without My [...]
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forte
February 22, 2012 at 6:03 am
Okay honestly reading 62 comments was phew….but reading 62 comments with 50 of em as crap is d sad bone of contention ……tiwa i̶̲̥̅§ easily ά̲̣ deity she really i̶̲̥̅§ talented ªND her life of success just proves every inch of tha word we should be happy she came вα¢к to identify with nigeria at all …. 4 †he imp Τђªt i̶̲̥̅§ ι̥η doubt if she can G̶̲̥̅̊☹ international…R u living under Ά̲̣ rock ? She i̶̲̥̅§ already out ther bro … Listen to collard greens ªND cornbread its ά̲̣ song she wrote 4 fantasia …. Listen to her version then listen to fantasia’§ u will be very pleased….. †he rest of u Τђªt feel ur liberty to type ι̥η any comment box … I advice u all throw Τђªt fone via d third mainland bridge into †he atlantic wher it will ♍ore use Τђªnk u
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forte
February 22, 2012 at 6:04 am
Okay honestly reading 62 comments was phew….but reading 62 comments with 50 of em as crap is d sad bone of contention ……tiwa i̶̲̥̅§ easily ά̲̣ deity she really i̶̲̥̅§ talented ªND her life of success just proves every inch of tha word we should be happy she came вα¢к to identify with nigeria at all …. 4 †he imp Τђªt i̶̲̥̅§ ι̥η doubt if she can G̶̲̥̅̊☹ international…R u living under Ά̲̣ rock ? She i̶̲̥̅§ already out ther bro … Listen to collard greens ªND cornbread its ά̲̣ song she wrote 4 fantasia …. Listen to her version then listen to fantasia’§ u will be very pleased….. †he rest of u Τђªt feel ur liberty to type ι̥η any comment box … I advice u all throw Τђªt fone via d third mainland bridge into †he atlantic wher it will find ♍ore use Τђªnk u
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D'Banj Debuts 'Oliver Twist' Video / Afrobeats Hits Mainstream | ..::That Grape Juice // ThatGrapeJuice.net::.. || Thirsty?
March 18, 2012 at 3:27 pm
[...] with the likes of Tiwa Savage leading the way, next up is Kanye West‘s Nigerian protegee [...]
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