“There are a lot of us that are queens,” Tiwa says
Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage is pushing back on the “Queen of Afrobeats” label often used to describe her, saying the title doesn’t sit well with her — even though she appreciates the love behind it.
In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Ebro, Tiwa made it clear that while she’s flattered by the title, she doesn’t believe it reflects the full picture of women in Afrobeats.
“Yeah, they call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but there are a lot of us that are Queens,” she said.
“It’s uncomfortable” — Tiwa on the pressure that comes with the title
Tiwa explained that the label carries a kind of pressure she’s not trying to take on.
“Personally, I don’t like that tag, it’s uncomfortable because I feel like if I start accepting it, I need to be humble and secondly, it doesn’t make sense to me,” she said. “So, I don’t accept it. But I appreciate it.”
A pioneer, but not the only one
Tiwa acknowledged that the tag likely came from her being one of the first Nigerian women to make a major impact in Afrobeats — both locally and globally.
“I didn’t come up with it. I think it’s just because I was one of the first female artistes in Nigeria to break through,” she added. “I do appreciate that. I’m not taking it for granted.”
Why it matters
Tiwa’s comments echo broader conversations about representation and recognition in the music industry — especially for women. While she’s undoubtedly a trailblazer, her refusal to hold onto a solo crown reflects a more collective and inclusive view of the Afrobeats movement.
