Tiwa Savage Rejects ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ Tag, Calls for Shared Recognition

Award-winning Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has distanced herself from the “Queen of Afrobeats” title, stressing that the global success of the genre is the result of collective contributions from many female artists.

Speaking in an interview with Apple Music’s Ebro, Savage explained that while she appreciates the recognition, she feels uncomfortable being singled out as the sole queen of the genre.

“Yeah, they call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but there are a lot of us that are Queens,” she said.

“Personally, I don’t like that tag. It’s uncomfortable because if I start accepting it, I need to be humble, and secondly, it doesn’t make sense to me.”

Savage acknowledged that her pioneering role in breaking barriers for Nigerian women in music may have influenced the title, but she argued that it should not exclude others.

Her remarks have sparked debate among fans and industry watchers, with some praising her humility while others questioned whether she had previously embraced the crown.

The conversation has also shone a spotlight on other female Afrobeats stars such as Yemi Alade, Tems, and Ayra Starr, who have equally contributed to the genre’s global recognition.

By rejecting the “Queen of Afrobeats” label, Savage is calling for a more inclusive acknowledgment of women driving Afrobeats’ global rise.