By Website writer;
Nigerian top diva Tiwatope Savage famously known by stage names ‘Tiwa Savage’ has joined one of the world’s leading music groups ‘Universal Music Group’ (UMG).
This follows her contract expiration with African biggest music label ‘Mavin Records’ led by Don Jazzy, and she was eager to run after the biggest cake (UMG) in the United States.
The ‘Ma Lo’ singer was unveiled on Thursday, 2nd May 2019 by the music group’s heads at Santa Monica, California after signing an exclusive recording agreement that will see Tiwa make music with UMG and have access to their infrastructure and distribution tools.
“Major shouts out 2 d hardest working female in d Music industry. It takes hard work, tears, grace, grit, humility, a unique talent & so much more to be number one. Congrats on a new era. Thank you for the reminder that our dreams are valid. Love u,” she tweeted her happiness.
In statement made by Adam Granite, executive VP market development at Universal Music Group, it’s clear that they are looking forward to partnering with Tiwa and her team to help her music reach new audiences around the world. The company also believes that as one of Africa’s most successful, influential and dynamic singer-songwriters, Tiwa has truly global ambitions and UMG is committed to help her in achieving them.
It’s now on record that Savage is the first Nigerian Afro beats singer to sign a global deal with Universal Music Group.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Savage started as a backup singer for artists such as Mary J. Blige and George Michael before attending Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music on scholarship.
Several of her recent singles, including “Mr Lova Lova” ft. Duncan Mighty and “Tiwa’s Vibe,” have hit No. 1 on charts across Africa, making her one of Afrobeats’ biggest stars. She’s also carved out a career as a successful songwriter, including for American artists such as Kat DeLuna (“Push Push”) and Fantasia (“Collard Greens & Cornbread”).
Savage’s endeavors extend beyond music. With 6.7 million Instagram followers, she’s become a brand ambassador for companies including Pepsi and Nike and is involved in various philanthropic causes, including her support of youth engagement organizations and breast cancer screening projects across Nigeria.
In 2018, Savage won best African act at the MTV European Music Awards (EMAs), making her the first woman to receive the honor. In December of last year, she was handpicked by Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin to perform at the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa. She also performed at Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival in Philadelphia in 2017.
Savage is slated to play a number of international music festivals this summer, including the U.K.’s Wireless Festival, Afropunk in Paris and the Oh My! Festival in Amsterdam. She’s released two studio albums and an EP and is currently working on her next album.
Glancing under the terms of the deal, Savage’s future music will be released by UMG in over 60 countries worldwide and all of her UMG projects will be executive produced by Efe Ogbeni of Regime Music Societe and VA PR founder Vannessa Amadi-Ogbonna.
It should be noted that this isn’t UMG’s first move into African music. In 2018, the company bought a majority stake in the Kenya-based AI Records, licensed its catalog to leading African streaming service Boomplay and opened offices in Lagos, Nigeria Abidjan and Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Other American record labels have also been making inroads on the continent, including Warner Music Group (which recently struck a deal with Nigerian Afrobeats label Chocolate City) and Sony Music (whose RCA label now boasts Afrobeats mega-stars Wizkid and Davido on their roster).
Congratulation Tiwa Savage!
