Afropop sensation Tiwa Savage turns 40 today and to celebrate the icon, we’re going to take a look at the most iconic songs she has made in the course of her career.
Check out our list for the top 10 Tiwa Savage songs, in no particular order:
1. Love Me
You may not believe in juju powers, but Tiwa’s singing in Love Me will put a spell on you.
One of the tracks from her early days in the spotlight, Love Me is a sweet song demanding more of a young new love that is overwhelming and exciting at the same time.
With a deep base production to complement Tiwa’s soprano, this song is an orgasm for the ears and should go on your love playlist immediately.
2. Get It Now
In this Afrobeat-heavy track, Tiwa is sensual and teasing. In normal Savage fashion, she delivers catchy smooth lyrics with an amazing voice that stays stuck in your head.
The video of this song is romantic and sexy at the same time, with Tiwa Savage working her body and getting her trainer all worked up.
3. Lova Lova feat. Duncan Mighty
If there is anything we know about Tiwa Savage, it is that she delivers incredible vocals no matter what she’s singing about. This song is a far groovier flow from what she usually does, but it’s just as amazing.
With a hint of reggae and the perfect collaboration with Duncan Mighty, this song became a hit almost immediately.
4. Owo Mi Da
In Owo Mi Da, we see an unfiltered Tiwa that is done with the bullshit. The Tiwa Savage in this song is nobody’s fool and would do anything to get what she is owed.
The production for this track is also as daring as the lyrics, layered with vocal instrumentations, heavy and light percussion, and plucky guitar riffs.
This is one of the tracks she released after switching record labels in 2019. And it is fitting that her music sounds like a new era also.
5. Eminado feat. Don Jazzy
Few collaborations have ever stolen our hearts like the Mavin royals in Eminado. Don Jazzy and Tiwa Savage bounced off each other like Teflon in this song in what is arguably the best collaboration of the 2010s.
This was a fresh and fun side of Tiwa Savage that carved her out as a multifaceted artiste; more than just a songstress. In this adorable love song, she promises to be his “African Barbie” while he keeps being her “6-pack bobo”.
One of the most popular wedding tracks of 2013, you can’t help but feel some type of way when Tiwa sings “rocking my body for you“.
6. Kele Kele Love
Now here’s a song you didn’t know you missed. I bet you forgot we had the Nigerian version of No Scrubs. Tiwa Savage comes out hot, as a woman that is determined to not accept substandard kele kele love.
With a music video that was ahead of its time and complete bad-assery from Tiwa, this song remains iconic and has stood the test of time.
7. Koroba
This song zigzags between lamenting about exploitation and respecting and encouraging the hustle. Either way to choose to interpret it, we can all agree that there is no point to suffering and we have to carry our koroba and keep moving.
8. Without My Heart feat. Don Jazzy
Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy songs are always a banger. In this vibrant dance song, Tiwa demands love from a guy she has been eyeing in the most fun display of agency.
Don Jazzy and Tiwa Savage play hunter and prey, but here, she is the one chasing him and he’s being coquettish. As usual, Tiwa’s stunning vocals plus Don Jazzy’s cool bass equals success.
With instrumentation very much like the Latina hits of the early 2000s, Tiwa Savage blessed Nigeria with a sound unlike anything we had experienced; thereby stamping her claim as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
9. Ma Lo feat. Wizkid and Spellz
One of the biggest songs of 2018, Tiwa Savage got mad airplay with this song for its meticulous production, flawless collab, and catchiest lyrics of all time.
There’s not much to say about this song except that it was a well-deserved hit and a mainstay on the Afropop charts.
10. 49-99
This list would not be complete without one of her more socially conscious bangers. One of her more recent songs, Tiwa Savage alludes to Fela’s lyrics of the poor and abusive conditions that the government has forced the Nigerian people to live in.
But then again, she elevates capitalism and the need to make it as though it is not the cause of the problem; further driving the point that the problems we face are actually a vicious cycle.
How did we do? Is there any song we snubbed? Comment below.
