Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has bared her soul in a candid interview, confessing that she "wasn't happy being African" at certain times in her life due to the challenges tied to racial and cultural identity. Known globally as one of Africa’s leading Afrobeats performers, Tiwa’s revelation highlights the complex reality many African artists face as they navigate their roots amid global expectations and stereotypes.
Tiwa shared that her musical influences lean heavily toward R&B, a genre she truly loves, but found herself pressured to conform to the Afrobeats sound simply because she is African. This has sometimes made her feel confined creatively and boxed in by the industry's and the audience’s expectations of what African music should sound like.
Discussing the broader issue of race, Tiwa openly addressed the emotional difficulty of being African in a world that often marginalizes or misunderstands African culture and artistry. She expressed how the burden of societal perceptions impacted her personal happiness and artistic journey, especially as Afrobeats gained international popularity.
Despite these struggles, Tiwa reaffirmed a strong sense of pride in her heritage and the African music scene. She emphasized her commitment to using her platform to uplift African voices and craft a narrative that goes beyond the stereotypes, showcasing the diversity and richness of African culture.
This heartfelt interview sheds light on the internal conflicts that artists encounter in balancing identity with global appeal and offers insight into Tiwa Savage’s journey toward embracing her African roots while pursuing creative authenticity. Her story resonates with many in the diaspora and the continent who grapple with similar issues of identity, acceptance, and artistic freedom in a globalized world.