“I Wasn’t Proud Being African, But Afrobeats Changed That” – Tiwa Savage Opens Up

 

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Nigerian music superstar, Tiwa Savage, has addressed the growing debate over the supposed decline of Afrobeats, asserting that the genre remains a global force and is, in her words, “unstoppable.”

The singer, who was speaking at the recently held Unstoppable Africans event, dismissed claims from some industry insiders that Afrobeats is currently experiencing its weakest moment in two decades.

 Music executive Paul Okoye, also known as Paulo, and renowned DJ Big N had earlier suggested that the genre was losing momentum due to a lack of innovation and audience fatigue.

But Tiwa Savage offered a powerful counterargument. According to her, Afrobeats continues to break global boundaries, dominate charts, and sell out arenas worldwide. She emphasized that the genre’s achievements are remarkable, especially considering that it developed without strong industry structures or institutional support.

“Afrobeats is the fastest-growing genre in the world,” she said. “We kind of created it with nothing  no support, no infrastructure, no real belief, even from our own people initially.”

Reflecting on her personal journey, Savage revealed that she once struggled with her African identity while growing up in London. She recounted that societal stereotypes and negative portrayals of Africa made it difficult for her to embrace her heritage at the time. 

However, she said the global success of Afrobeats has reshaped that narrative, instilling pride in Africans everywhere.

“I remember growing up in London, and I was not happy being African,” she said. “But now I’m so proud because of how big Afrobeats is growing. 

There was a conversation at one point that Afrobeats would have its 15 minutes of fame and then fade away. But we are still here. We are not slowing down. In fact, we are filling stadiums and getting the biggest songs on the charts right now.”

She went further to highlight the increasing influence of Africans on the global stage, citing that “one in every four black persons is a Nigerian or an African.” For Tiwa Savage, this statistic symbolizes the resilience and unshakable cultural footprint of the continent.

Her remarks also served as a message of empowerment to young Africans who may feel undervalued or underrepresented. She stressed that no matter the challenges, African music and culture cannot be silenced.

“As much as they are trying to quiet us down, the music is not going anywhere,” she declared. “We are Africans, and we are unstoppable.”

Tiwa Savage’s statement comes at a time when Afrobeats continues to influence mainstream music scenes across the United States, Europe, and Asia. From Burna Boy’s Grammy wins to Rema’s chart-topping hits and Wizkid’s sold-out tours, the genre has cemented its place as one of the most dominant musical movements in the world.

For Tiwa, the conversation goes beyond music. It is about reclaiming identity, celebrating African excellence, and showing that the continent’s sound is not a trend  it is a legacy in motion.

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