tiwa savage | Page 3 of 3

If the story of your life can be told in a series of popular hashtags, odds are the #MannequinChallenge was the first time you saw a song ride social media’s wings to Hitsville.

Building on the strength of a couple of hit singles, Kizz Daniel launched his #FvckYouChallenge sometime in March to promote his single “Fvck You” and stay at the top of your feed. In the days since he announced it via IG, the singer has reposted well over 30 entries.

In just less than two months, Kizz Daniel’s #FvckYouChallenge has become many things – an opportunity for underdogs and emerging talents to strut their stuff, a chance for familiar faces to re-assert their presence and proof of the music industry’s endless mediocrity and misogyny. Kizz Daniel has also managed to drag us back into the dark ages.

The premise of the #FvckYouChallenge is pretty clear. Kizz discovers a love interest’s sexual encounters with his colleagues and proceeds to drag her for her promiscuity (“Olosho come be your hobby”). This is a very familiar story.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUXKLbgGGG/
Kizz Daniel’s video launching the #FvckYouChallenge

If art is about storytelling and expression, then every work should be inherently different. But that is not what happens in this case. Instead, most of Kizz Daniel’s peers only try to tell the story better than the man; even if that means going wildly overboard.

No one deserves handcuffs for this more than Chinko Ekun who takes it up a notch and describes a nymphomaniac. Chinko describes her escapades like a torture session, before suggesting that this person has had their genitals tampered with like a transsexual.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvdq2OkARDS/

2/10 for lack of effort.

Ice Prince’s entry has a great opening montage that promises something more refined. What you get instead is everything we’ve come to expect from Zamani by now.

Ice Prince shows up in full music video persona and rhymes something with ‘bomboclaat‘ in the first four bars. It doesn’t change much from there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvmph8kAAlx/

3.5 for being a clone of his own damn self.

By now, you’re probably wondering if this #FvckYouChallenge is all about degrading sexually libertine women. The answer is yes. Some of the entries are so crass and self-indulgent that you wonder if Saint Janet, the queen of fuji parody. did some ghostwriting.

Take DMW’s resident rapper for instance.

Nothing about Dremo’s verse works. He manages to get verbally abusive at this imaginary babe before using the magic word – ‘prostitute’. The nadir of this very earnest disaster is a failed joke – Dremo thinks the babe’s face should be the new DMW logo seeing as she’s spent nights with all the members of the team.

We’ll assume Dremo somehow can’t remember the current face on the DMW logo is a little girl.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvkSYCpAO3y/

Skiibii’s second coming has blessed us with two hits in quick succession (“Sensima”, “Onyeoma”) but even that good fortune could not breathe life into his take on Kizz Daniel’s challenge – which is practically a more intense version of the original.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bve8zK6A5kk/

That’s not the entire story though. Kizz Daniel’s intentions may have been to turn this hashtag into an inanimate vehicle for his newest single, and as anyone with an Apple Music account can confirm, it’s working. The biggest beneficiaries, however, are the next rated acts using it to get noticed.

Challenges like this have unearthed waves of talent since Don Jazzy’s Enigma freestyle forced everyone with a pen and a notepad to drop a quick 16, myself inclusive. If there’s one artist whose entry makes you want to hear his music, it’s a hard draw between Cheque and Jujuboy.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvn1Cr-Ait5/

“Now they know you meant it when you said “Fxck My Niggaz,” might be the standout line from Cheque’s freestyle, but within 60 seconds, the PentHauze signee is the only one who suggests he could have made a better song than Kizz Daniel did.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvtNiFYg1Un/

Jujuboy impresses nearly as much. He may not be one of the more popular next-rated acts but Jujuboy is as likely as any of his contemporaries to break the mainstream. His biggest strengths, melody and composition, are more than evident here.

Life after G Worldwide has been nice to Kizz Daniel, yet the strength of his run since doesn’t quite explain how big #FvckYouChallenge has gotten. It’s easy to forget that Poe’s lukewarm Triple Homicide challenge is only weeks old, and the last song to ride interactions to the top of the charts was Wizkid’s “Fever”.

Where Starboy’s last single relies on his star power, Kizz Daniel’s challenge works because it’s relatable. And that connection comes from raw, bare-bellied misogyny.

All the men doing this Kizz Daniel challenge are staying on-brand to Kizz Daniel’s original topic of sex-shaming. The few women that have done it, none of them have spoken on the topic of a man they liked, but shaming him for being promiscuous. Why?
— Jess “Finesse” Chibueze (@jessjessfinesse) March 30, 2019

See, misogyny in Nigerian music doesn’t cry out from the hilltops like say, trap. It’s nicely tucked away in the middle pages, like the very common feeling that women come under the dominion of any successful musician.

Thanks to the #FvckYouChallenge, we can safely throw away whatever illusions we had of how progressive Nigerian hip-hop and music, as a whole, have become.

More than two-thirds of the best entries for the #FvckYouChallenge are done by men – an obvious outcome. When women try it, they make a worthy attempt to subvert the trope, except they end up staying on topic and doing some shaming of their own too.

Simi’s entry is a case for the unheard party. She assumes the role of this shamed slay queen. According to her, the only reason she’s getting all this hate because she just didn’t give it up. So she proceeds to shame the men too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvoZaBMADds/

I’d rather not do this but it’s worth pointing out that Victoria Kimani single-handedly destroys any case for women as the voices of reason. Instead, she gives us more proof of the same high-handedness and sense of superiority that fuelled Dremo’s angry rant.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvye3MUogen/

In a verse that’s more memorable for autotune that the human who used it, Vicky from Kenya accuses Ycee of stealing her verses, Tiwa Savage of sleeping around and blocking her blessings and everyone else for taking her love for granted. It’s hard to watch – ironic, given that this is the #FvckYouChallenge in its purest form.

The few musicians who chose to look at the bigger picture are the ones who expose the real problem with Kizz Daniel’s challenge.

Social media has changed music like nothing else in recent history. Virality has turned obscure singers into global superstars and unearthed the most unusual talents in the most unlikely places. It brought us closer to our faves and made them a part of our lives and vice versa.

But in doing so, it has exposed us to their less glorious moments, the brain farts that get fast-tracked into reality. Now we have front row seats to the regressive aspects of the culture that would ordinarily go on behind the scenes.

Your favourite rapper thinks women owe him sex.
Your WCW is an irresponsible crybaby.
Fraudsters and Nigerian musicians are part of the same value chain.
Your favourite singers are joining fraternities.

The irony of Kizz Daniel’s FvckYouChallenge is that it is exposed for what it is by an artist who is notorious for being self-indulgent and entitled.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvorgGtgODP/

Most fans of Nigerian hip-hop know Vector’s lavish taste for alliterative non-bars by now. His repeated use of “all of una” however, refers to the fact that this sex thing everyone has been talking about is actually a very interesting cycle, because if all of una know all the groupies’ wey don run level with all of una, who all of una day talk about? The answer is – All of una.

Kizz Daniel’s challenge has fulfilled its purpose, but in doing so, it exposed the soft underbelly of the industry by forcing uninspired artists to spontaneously make music on a subject that is too close to their comfort zone.

One minute, you’re happy that Nigerian rappers are finally fixing up. Then you realise the majority of them didn’t get the memo – it’s 2019 and slut-shaming the same women you’ve been sleeping with is not a good look.

Your favourite artist is a groupie too.
You’ve probably heard the story before.

An exciting female musician begins to catch some buzz. After teasing crumbs on her Instagram, she puts herself out there for the first time. Millions more get to meet this insane talent.

That’s where things start to get funny. To some, she’s as ‘fine’ as they expect any self-respecting female musician to be. To others, she’s a bit too fine – so much that they’re sure her body is her primary product. But she does well. Well enough that she damns the warnings to tone down the ‘energy’.

See, there’s no space on the fringes for women in Nigerian music.

But who cares? She drops the album. Everyone laps it up.

Some more good news; a baby. Great, right? A fitting end to the first chapter of a budding success story, right? Not exactly. Because for the next few weeks, our heroine has to deal with new rumours that she sold herself out for money.

Pundits divine she’ll choose her family over the music. Others say she never cared in the first place.

By the time she begins to roll out her next single, she’s seen the light in all the ‘advice’. No-one cares anymore.

This is a true story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O22u_FUkmu8

Or at least, an aggregate of the real stories of artists like Waje and Omawumi. It’s the inverse of Teni the Entertainer’s troubles. It’s what everyone expected to happen to Tiwa Savage.

It tells of a very simple reality; that while Nigerians may love their female musicians, we expect them to fit very strict specifications.

They have to be traditionally beautiful, but not too much, or it may intimidate us. They have to be strong, but only in a motherly sense. Sex appeal is super important, but they can’t have partners, especially wealthy ones. They now belong to us.

And God forbid they go so far that they have kids and a ‘happy married life’ after. Tueh.

Basically, they have to be safe – as safe as possible.

You see, everyone knows that Nigerian music is largely a male enterprise.

For all the ground covered by Nigeria’s pop princes – Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, Tekno, Mr Eazi, only one woman plays in the same league – Tiwa Savage.

What no-one ever talks about is that women are the uber-minority in pop culture, because they have to play by a different set of rules entirely. And everyone, male and female, whether you’re a record label head or Kamoru with the MP3 player, is guilty of upholding those rules.

How? You see, we love to classify things. Food. Music. And the people who make it. But when an unfamiliar set of people doesn’t fit any classification, we sort-of panic, and find a way to get rid of them.

We’re also guilty of doing ourselves a great disservice.

By expecting women in music to be simple and safe, conservative or matronly, we shut our eyes and ears to everything else that makes them women. We tell them there are no ears for their stories or their experiences.

Till this day, the Nigerian wife in represented in music as a hyper-sexual opportunist or the weaker vessel – a hapless appendage, in songs written by naive young men and women who should know better.

We tell them that their identity does not matter – they might as well be all be versions of the same person, like mass-produced dolls off a production line.

And in doing so, we silence the best voices before their first words.

It’s no mistake that one of the biggest criticisms of Nigerian music is that it’s mostly opaque.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Buwa_vTBrsS/

It’s hard to see beneath the veil of party bangers and praise singing. When you do manage to steal a look, things are as bland and impersonal as possible.

That’s why it’s important that things are changing. Cue a group of women who are breaking that mould.

The subject of where they come from is exciting; some will remind you of the strong back women of 1990s R&B. Others preach the militant gospel of the internet-assisted open source feminism of the 2010s. Others just are, because they really don’t need to explain where they’re from.

In the last few years, we’ve been confronted with women who do not feel the need to satisfy our expectations.

And it’s been beautiful to watch.

There’s Teni; an absolute baby girl who rocks baggy shorts and is proof that beauty doesn’t always come in size 12. The phenomenal Asa is proof that women can be smart, politically aware and successful musicians while giving no hoots about your desire for sex appeal. Tiwa oozes that sex appeal yet she has a workhorse’s reputation as well and is going benchmark-for-benchmark with her male peers.

If there’s one thing common among these women, it is that they do not feel the need to satisfy our expectations. They are not safe, neither are they sorry for how you feel about that.

Of course, they’ve faced their fair share of criticism. Some have accused Tiwa, for instance, of being too pick-me and ignorant of the plight that women face.

But such criticism is beside the point. The women, like Tiwa and Teni, who choose to do things on their terms are an affront to our ideas of what women should and can be.

For starters, they bring with them a refreshing type of authenticity.

There’s no better proof of this today than Teni – an artist who has shed all the typical expectations of a female musician and forced us to focus on what she can do. And within that ability to make extremely relatable songs, Teni’s connected to her audience in ways that none of her more ‘practical’ predecessors could lay claim to.

Her success, if nothing else, is an inspiration–you’ll see a few more Tenis soon enough.

Of course, for everyone who loves music, this should mean everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKSkr7TILRs

‘Safe’ often means familiar, but when artistes no longer feel pressured by that tag, they make what they want to make.

Today, the alte scene is defined by artists who are dipping their hands in various unfamiliar genres of music. But it is arguably the women who are doing the most audacious genre-bending, recording entire projects on cell phones and baring their soul in their work in a way that’s just unusual. Artistes like Lady Donli make no attempt to fit the mould and one track at a time, they’re changing our ideas of what ‘Nigerian’ can or should sound like.

This new wave of defiant women in art and their refreshing stories is not unique to music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v45GprEyM7U

Two of the best young photographers from out of Nigeria – Emily Nkanga and Yagazie Emezi – are young, self-aware and unapologetic women. Oyinkan Braithwaite, Genevieve Nnaji and Nora Awolowo are telling nuanced stories of the Nigerian experience through female eyes and we love it. This revolution will be televised and streamed on IG as well.

It’s somewhat telling that many of the women who got buried in the pressure to conform are now giving as few fucks as possible too. The last few months have gifted us with rawer, more personal versions of stalwarts like Waje and Omawumi – and music they wouldn’t have made years ago.

The women who do not feel the need to be safe are writing a new template for the Nigerian woman in music, and art, in a larger sense. It’s one where the only person she has to answer to is herself, and we’re already the better for it.

While you’re here, let me tell you about the Zikoko Pop Newsletter.

It’s called Poppin’ – everything you should know happening in pop culture, plus recommendations, our fire playlists, info on all the best parties and freebies you won’t get anywhere else. Do the right thing and sign up, my gee.
No matter how much the highs of a good year take the most avid fan, January inevitably brings with it one question; What next?

2018 was, in ways, a watershed moment in Nigerian music. A new king took the throne, a new queen sent out her statement of intent, and on the international stage, we won big.

The question will now be asked of the people who dominated the conversation in 2018, like Burna, and those who, like Peruzzi, have everything to prove.

These artists may still be reeling from the hangover of a very detty December but it’s never too early for new music.

Some of my faves have already announced they’ll be dropping new music this year. Others are, well, toying with our emotions.

But that never stopped anyone from expecting what we deserve. Definitely not me.

Davido – TBA

It seems like a century ago that Davido dropped that debut album.

Ice Prince was the superstar. Reminisce was finally breaking out. And Davido’s music seemed, to most casual fans, like a labour of love.

Now, he’s the big dog–record label chairman, international hitmaker and father of two daughters. He’s entering this year at the peak of his powers, with two of the best songwriters on his team and an expectant audience.

David’s mentions of the project have hardly gone past references to “My album…” but it’s almost certain OBO’s sophomore drops this year. The timing couldn’t be better. God safe us when it happens.

Maleek Berry – TBD

I can imagine a future where a white-haired former journalist explains to a room full of kids how a record producer reinvented himself as a pop star over the course of two brief, delicious EPs.

After learning the ropes as part of Wizkid and Wande Coal’s teams, Maleek is now a verified heavyweight on his own.

Now established on two continents, and already shaking the right hands in the US, Mr Berry’s debut is due, and he knows it.

Melodies abound for this man, and Maleek on his day can take you from Ikoyi to Rio in the same song.

That and his Afropop leanings have reflected on two stellar EPs–now it’s time for the coup de grace and the final chapter of a transition made in Gbedu Zion.

Santi – TBA

“Santino has this city in a headlock”–a tweet read after Santi, the mysterious, dreadlocked rager who makes anthems for a generation rocked a crowd of his peers to a sweat-soaked frenzy at a concert last December.

Over several years, Santi has built the cosigns, the records, the loyal cult following for the moments that are bound to come.

He may be little more than the face of the alternative music scene in Lagos now but almost everyone who’s a fan of the kid swears he’s the one.

After ending the year on a high with “Rapid Fire”, it’s a good thing that Santi began the year by announcing an album for January. We’ve been waiting for a while.

Wizkid – Made In Lagos

If you listen to the people who treat music as a lifeforce, the face of Afropop’s tour of the UK and the US is on his way back home.

Few pop stars can spend a decade topping charts while carrying a genre’s finest elements to new ears around the world.

But it would be unwise to count Wizkid out.

His fourth studio album has been touted as a return to the source – to Lagos and the overcrowded studios where it all began.

It may be where Wizkid finds the sauce to blow our minds again.

Burna Boy – TBA

Burna Boy’s 2018 was written in the stars–a beautiful story of overcoming one’s predilections that you could adapt into 30 languages.

But it’s over now. And no-one will know more than Burna that you’re only as good as the people’s last memory of you.

There’s word that last year’s “Outside” is the prelude to something else; a mixtape that took on bigger importance with an international record deal and a few collaborations.

Now Burna’s settled into big boy mode. Let’s see him swing for the stars.

Falz – TBA

Steady, consistent, calculated. Falz is a marketing course waiting to be studied. First introduced to us as a quirky, funny gimmick, Falz now comes up in conversations about new Felas and the best Nigerian rappers.

All of this while taking statues at award shows and offering poignant commentary.

He is in the big league now, which is why he must punch at even higher weights. Can Falz take Nigerian hip-hop to a new place? Can he take a very vacant throne even? What happens when he stops trying to be funny?

This could be the album that answers all those questions.

Tiwa Savage – TBA

The only woman in the game who can touch Tiwa lives in France.

Mummy Jam-Jam is proof that angels never die or get old.

Just when we thought we’d seen the best, Tiwa underwent a reinvention in 2018 helped undoubtedly by rumours of a fling with a certain Starboy.

Never mind that while all that was festering, she dropped one of the biggest songs of the year in “Ma Lo” and took a ride on the Duncan Mighty train with one of the better collaborations, “Lova Lova”.

The Tiwa who made R.E.D seems so far away now. Which is why this one has to drop that album so we can get to know her better.

Reminisce – TBA

Reminisce’s nickname literally translates to Chairman. Chairman in the sense of a gang leader who tries to usurp a king of boys, or an indigenous rapper who will hold his own in Queen’s English with the finest of the bunch.

Staying in the conversation in 2018 would have been enough for Reminisce, but the man’s role in one of 2018’s best movies reminded us of all the things we love about Baba Hafusa – grit, ambition and versatility.

2019 is the year where Alaga reminds us what he can do behind the mic.

Lady Donli – TBA

To some, she’s the female face of the Alte community. To others, she’s the unknown young singer who made a criminally brief festival on the intro to Mr Eazi’s 2018 album, “London To Lagos”.

Either way, Lady Donli is coming for your necks in a flowing dress, with cowries in her locks and the sensation of an old soul.

After a year spent in bars and arenas in Europe and North America, she’s back at home.

Her tweets suggest she’s in the studio, and with the experiences she’s gathered on the road for inspiration, we won’t be against Lady Donli striking gold on her debut.

Runtown – TBA

Runtown is like the uncle from Texas who we hardly hear from, until he calls on a Friday afternoon and the entire family gathers around the phone like loyal fans. Label battles have played their part in keeping him away for stints at a time but the singer says the worst is in the past now. If songs like “Oh Oh Oh (Lucie)” and “No Permission” are anything to go by, Runtown has finally found his aesthetic.

It may seem obvious that we’ll get the laid-back, dreamy Afropop he silenced doubters with in 2016, but that’s fine because it’s just what we want.

Teni – TBA

Love abounds for Teni. Unknown to most at the start of the year, she ended 2018 as the year’s biggest revelation, a viral sensation that is fiercely loved by her fans. Teni ticks all the boxes that should matter–she has the range, she writes like a ghetto poet and her talent for making songs is freakish–as evidenced in those Instagram videos where she makes demos out of unsuspecting friends.

She’s begun the year with a headstart–the absolutely uplifting “Uyo Meyo” and if we can rely on her record, another single should be in the offing.

Few Nigerian prodigies have ignored such raw desire for their music over time.

In Teni’s case, it would be almost criminal, because we know Makanaki can pull off something beautiful.

Tekno – TBA

As with most nascent spaces, Nigerian music has regularly churned out a new successor (or pretender to the throne) each year–one artist who changes the texture of the popular sound, puts out the year’s biggest single or just shows an astounding level of promise.

In 2017, that person was Tekno. Yet, despite heavy demand for a full body of work, Tekno chose to ride out on the strength of singles.

There is little doubt that the man knows his stuff–melody and an innate sense of rhythm drive his music and has also provided hits for peers like Davido.

Sadly, illness ultimately slowed down his pace as 2018 wound down.

With all the big dogs dropping this year, it might be time for Tekno to put his hat in the race and finally claim his place.
What’s not to love about Nigerian weddings. There is always free food, free booze, and good vibes. What I particularly love about Nigerian weddings is the music and in my opinion, no Nigerian wedding playlist can be complete without these songs.
No One Like You – P Square

The video alone is enough reason to add this song to your wedding playlist.
Wedding Day – 9ice

This song was made for Nigerian weddings.
Oruka – Sunny Nneji

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxGkcYbvZU8
I can remember how this song got played at every Nigerian wedding for years after this hit song was dropped.
Ada Ada – Flavour

Picking just one Flavour song to add to this list was hard. Every Flavour song is perfect for your wedding playlist.
Baby Girl – Nel Oliver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqzBFXa2js0
Here’s a classic for you. Nel Oliver’s ‘Baby Girl’ is evergreen.
Olomi – Tosin Martins

If you understand Yoruba then you don’t need to be convinced to add this song to your wedding playlist.
Forever – Paul Play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHaB2YGpDWg
Because it’s your wedding day and you and your partner plan to be together forever.
Baby Jowo(remix) – Sir Victor Olaiya ft 2face

It was hard picking between the remix of this classic song and the original, in the end, 2face’s unique addition to the song won us over.
Be Your Man – Dipo
Dipo might not be as popular as the other artists on this list, but ‘Be Your Man’ makes for the most perfect love song ever.
Ololufe – Wande Coal

Its been 9 years since Wande Coal dropped Ololufe (yes you are old) but its still hard to imagine a Nigerian wedding playlist without it.
My Darling – Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage’s voice is at its finest in ‘My Darling’ and we can bet you the lyrics perfectly convey everything you feel about your husband/wife-to-be.
Ekuro – Davido

From Ekuro to Aye to If to Fall Davido keeps dropping the most perfect wedding playlist songs.
Love Me Jeje – Seyi Sodimu

You already know there was no way we could have left this classic of our list.
Obianuju – Duncan Mighty

This is almost every Nigerian’s favorite Duncan Mighty song and also the sweetest love song for those who might not understand all of the lyrics.
Orente – Adekunle Gold

Adekunle Gold’s Orente always has we single pringles clutching to our pillows at night wondering when the Lord will give us our own bae.
Iyawo Mi – Timi Dakolo

Fun fact- Timi Dakolo wrote this song for his wife.
Did we leave any song out?
Hi guys, I’d like for us to take a minute to talk about Wizkid and Tiwa Savage. Shall we?

Yes I know, we’re all here for this
There has been a lot of controversy about these two, mainly because most people aren’t sure whether or not they’re dating.

Worry no more my friends, for I’m here to reveal the truth.
Before we proceed, let’s quickly go back to the their first collaboration. Notice how Wizkid seemed to know his limits?

Okay aunty, I should just sit beside you here ?
Now, fast forward to their next song (Ma lo). We see very clearly that Starboy has become limitless . He was steady making his fellow Yoruba demon’s proud.

Yess, That’s our boy!
Shortly after, they start travelling together, performing together, and giving each other everlasting hugs.

Small small oh.
Everyday, they surprise us with their public displays of love and affection. Actually, every minute.

Please continue oh, we are not tired.
Now as you can see, this clearly isn’t enough proof that they’re dating. Right?

Just relax, I’m getting to it.
I want you to pay close attention to this video. What do you see? It’s your favourite celebrities. What are they doing? kissing. Yes, kissing.

If you still don’t believe, then you fall under one of the categories below.
The people who will continue to be in denial because Wizkid is their designated husband.

I pity you, better go and look for soulmate.
There’s also the people who just think Tiwa is too old for Wizkid and it’s impossible.

“When she’s not a sugar mummy”
Anyway, whatever you choose to believe it is very clear that Wizkid and Tiwa Savage are living their best lives.

And we’re behind them 100%
Before I finally go, I have one question. Wizkid and Tiwa Savage are kissing, Davido and Chioma are kissing, even Bobrisky and Tonto Dikeh are kissing. Who are you kissing?

Wawu sorry I was just joking.
While people in this part of the world were asleep, A-List celebrities around the world were getting turnt at the 2016 edition of the VMAs which happened on August 28th.
Proving her international exposure status, Tiwa Savage attended the event in a yellow dress and even took pictures with celebrities like Jidenna and DJ Khaled.

Some of the celebs obviously came to slay.

Some just be bothered about slaying on the red carpet, we’re not judging sha.

But that’s not why we’re here.

We’re here to tell you how Beyonce basically stole the show and put it in her pocket.

If you don’t believe us, this video is enough proof.

https://twitter.com/MTV/status/770112782612258816

This was team Zikoko after watching Beyonce’s performance:

But we’re not the only ones that feel this way, the internet has gone wild!

If you’re still alive after Beyoncé’s performance last night, you’re in luck!
1) You're not dead
2) It's five minutes 'til showtime!
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) August 30, 2016

Beyonce is not anybody’s mate.

https://twitter.com/DENRELE_EDUN/status/770366020104192001

Why is she so awesome abeg?

Beyoncé why are thou so great?!🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 https://t.co/Xvghozg8HD
— Damilola Odufuwa (@damiodufuwa) August 29, 2016

Beyonce’s haters better shut up forever.

https://twitter.com/sabrina_edeko/status/770168377553850368

Beyonce is that person that will look better than you at your own wedding.

And walk in late RT @JasFly: Beyonce's that friend that will absolutely wear white to your wedding.
— Kim Osorio (@kimosorio1) August 29, 2016

We just have three words for Mummy Beyonce, thank you ma!

Thank you, Beyoncé. Thank you! #VMAs
— Shalewa Ashafa (@ShalewaStar) August 29, 2016
Tiwa Savage is going international in her new deal with Roc Nation. The rumors started flying in May about her possible record deal with Jay Z’s Roc Nation.
The hype got bigger when popular entertainment consultant and A&R, Bizzle Osikoya, shared a post about Jay Z’s interest in Tiwa’s music catalogue.

And guess what, Tiwa Savage and Mavin Records Boss, Don Jazzy, are currently in New York and even shared pictures of their meeting with Jay Z.

She’s set to finalise her deal with Roc Nation and that means she’ll be rubbing shoulders with artistes like Rihanna and DJ Khaled.

It’s surprising to note Don Jazzy’s participation in this deal despite his discomfort with D’banj’s deal with G.O.O.D Music in 2012. It’s hard to forget how that drama led to the split-up of the great Mo’Hits records.

This deal is major and shows that the only way for Nigerian music is up. Congratulations to Tiwa and we anticipate even more awesome music from here!
On April 28, Tiwa Savage’s husband, Tee Billz had a public meltdown that had us all worried and wondering if his account got hacked. However, Tiwa confirmed that Tee Billz tried to jump off the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge but was rescued and taken to Banky W’s house.
Tiwa Savage, in an interview with pulse TV shared her own side of the story and addressed the speculations about her marriage.

She explained how worried she got when she learnt about Tee Billz suicidal rants and how concerned she was for his safety.

However, she also revealed the problems she faced while in the marriage and how she didn’t want to keep up appearances.

Fighting back tears, she told the interviewer of the unfortunate miscarriage she had recently.

In the Interview, Tiwa revealed how Tee Billz stole from her while he was her manager. She fired him just to make things work between them.

However, as she said, Tee Billz cheated on her frequently and even had a child by another woman during their relationship.

She also discovered he had ‘interesting’ conversations with another woman which he saved as ‘Edible catering’ on his phone while she was dealing with her miscarriage.

Tiwa also told of how she caught him doing cocaine and how he had drug and alcohol problems.

Although she paid off some of his debt which include a Mercedes Benz and Rolex watch, he still incurred a 45 million Naira debt and is currently wanted by the EFCC.

Although he continued to claim he ‘made her’ and accused her of stealing his manhood and cheating on him, Tiwa said she never cheated on him.

According to her, the marriage was a mistake and is over. However, she wishes Tee Billz the best and will keep praying for him while she focuses on her son.

Nigerians showed their support for her.

I strongly feel for @TiwaSavage. That's the definition of a strong woman.
— Otitokoro 🦁 (@liz_banwo) April 30, 2016

And praised her for her strength.

@TiwaSavage hugs. Be strong and know that you will come out of this stronger. Make as much joy as you can. You did what you had to do.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) April 30, 2016

And for being able to hold it together in the midst of the controversy in her marriage.

"@Osi_Suave: Tiwa was raising a kid and putting out Music in the middle of that craziness? She is one strong woman fam."
— Anthonia Orji (@AnthoniaOrji) April 30, 2016

And sent their best wishes to her.

Tiwa Savage, your truth will set many free. Sending strength…
— Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn (@lolashoneyin) April 29, 2016

Even though the interviewer wasn’t professional at all.

The Pulse Interviewer seemed very bored.Like she felt Tiwa was serving her beans
— Sweet Potato 🧨✨ (@Drewbaba) April 29, 2016

You can watch the full video of the interview here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O22u_FUkmu8
Early in the morning of April 28, Tiwa Savage’s husband and former manager, TeeBillz, took to his Instagram page and poured his heart out.
He started by posting an old picture of Tiwa, sharing the first time they met.

“@tiwasavage this was you when I met you with 100% insecurity. I remember when Wale called me about a girl that’s got talent and u told him I wasn’t interested!”
How they fell in love and how much he had sacrificed for her career and success.

“Please just take care of JamJam. I sacrificed my life for you and put in work and my money to your success. You are Tiwa Savage the super star now right. You will never have peace with that fame. Your mother wants to turn me to what she turned your DAD to? I will rather Die. Ask her to confess what’s she’s done to me! All I did was look out for your success.”
He apologised to his children for letting them down…

“I’m sorry Olabisi, Gaetano. Onah and jamil. All daddy wanted to do is be a good father and take care all of you but they won’t let me. I have been fighting this spiritual battle since I was a kid my mother and father can testify. Went from family battle to mother inlaws battle. @tiwasavage ask your mother to confess what she’s done to me.”
And accused Tiwa Savage’s mother of witchcraft.

“Lord knows I tried. I can’t take it anymore. I decided that I wanted to take time out from music business so you and me will not be in the same basket of the music industry. You never supported me for day one every move I made and every project I layer my hands one was going all bad. Thanks to your mum witchcraft! Tell her to confess to you.”
It started to get really worrying when he began posting pictures about depression.

“Lord knows I tried. I have been mentally tortured by my the woman I gave everything to. I’m not perfect but I’m far away from being the best husband. Because when I dint have you paid bills and you took my man hood away.” “You have thrown my clothes out of the house more than 5 times because of the love I have for you I still take it and because of Jamil. I don’t want to go through divorce like my father that has been Married 4times. Your mother humiliated so much that I dint care.”
He thanked Omawunmi’s husband for being supportive and Annie Idibia for bringing him food when Tiwa threw him out.

“Tosin Yosuf aka Omawunmi’s husband. I wish I met you earlier when I just moved to Nigeria. You have been a great friend and brother to me in throne month. I should have done this 2weeks a ago but the joy of being around dint let me.” “You have wife that he not let the music business take the best of her. I know how Mrs Yusuf treats us when we at your house. I feel very at home and praying that I wish my wife can get a life and be like this. All she cares about is next single, her make and hair, her brand and all that BS.” “Pls tell the world have you asked your husband in the last 3yrs if he has eaten. Thank you to Ani Idibia and Anita my Neigbor that provides home cooked meal for me when I needed. That! Yes you became the bread winner when I decided I’m not in business with you again take everything I just want my wife. Tiwa. You will never have peace except my spirits forgives you. Tell your mother to confess what she mounted in the house for you shine with my star. It’s deeper than what you think.”
And accused his wife Tiwa, of sleeping with Don Jazzy, Dr SID and Tuface.

“With in what period of time did you Fuck jazzy and Dr Sid. And I dint care because the love I have for you. I looked at it that we all have a past even when at this same fucking time you were fucking with 2face.”
He even blamed his father for his failed marriages.

“To you Mr Ibrahim Olatunji Balogun Snr………. I tried my best not to be like you but instead of focusing on being a Better person I was worried about not wanting to be like you. I reached out and cry to you as my father but all you care about his yourself and your money…….. I ended up having kids like you by multiple women and my first marriage and only marriage dint make make it to 2years just like the one you had with my mum. Why the Fuck did God Made you my father.”
The worst part was when he said he didn’t have the strength to fight anymore and asked God to accept his soul.

“I’m sorry i must have disappointed you guys . I just dint have the strength to fight this battle any more. May God Forgive me and accept my soul in peace”.
In the last post, he said Tiwa will never find peace in her career.

“I hope the fucking in Tiwa Savage brand brings you peace. I used my money, soul and everything I had for you and everyone knows how I hustled hard with passion for you to get to where you at today. You will never find peace with your career”.
While he was having this meltdown, his friend and best man, Banky W, tried to reach out to him via his Instagram comment section.

This is a real cause for concern considering the fact that their 2nd wedding anniversary was only 24 hours ago.

We hope he gets help soon and resolves whatever problems he and his wife may be facing.
[zkk_poll post=30799 poll=content_block_standard_format_13]

You’ve probably heard the story before.

See, there’s no space on the fringes for women in Nigerian music.

This is a true story.

You see, everyone knows that Nigerian music is largely a male enterprise.

We’re also guilty of doing ourselves a great disservice.

It’s no mistake that one of the biggest criticisms of Nigerian music is that it’s mostly opaque.

And it’s been beautiful to watch.

For starters, they bring with them a refreshing type of authenticity.

Of course, for everyone who loves music, this should mean everything.

This new wave of defiant women in art and their refreshing stories is not unique to music.

While you’re here, let me tell you about the Zikoko Pop Newsletter.

No matter how much the highs of a good year take the most avid fan, January inevitably brings with it one question; What next?

Davido – TBA

Maleek Berry – TBD

Santi – TBA

Wizkid – Made In Lagos

Burna Boy – TBA

Falz – TBA

Tiwa Savage – TBA

Reminisce – TBA

Lady Donli – TBA

Runtown – TBA

Teni – TBA

Tekno – TBA

No One Like You – P Square

Wedding Day – 9ice

Oruka – Sunny Nneji

Ada Ada – Flavour

Baby Girl – Nel Oliver

Olomi – Tosin Martins

Forever – Paul Play

Baby Jowo(remix) – Sir Victor Olaiya ft 2face

Be Your Man – Dipo

Ololufe – Wande Coal

My Darling – Tiwa Savage

Ekuro – Davido

Love Me Jeje – Seyi Sodimu

Obianuju – Duncan Mighty

Orente – Adekunle Gold

Iyawo Mi – Timi Dakolo

Did we leave any song out?

Hi guys, I’d like for us to take a minute to talk about Wizkid and Tiwa Savage. Shall we?

There has been a lot of controversy about these two, mainly because most people aren’t sure whether or not they’re dating.

Before we proceed, let’s quickly go back to the their first collaboration. Notice how Wizkid seemed to know his limits?

Now, fast forward to their next song (Ma lo). We see very clearly that Starboy has become limitless . He was steady making his fellow Yoruba demon’s proud.

Shortly after, they start travelling together, performing together, and giving each other everlasting hugs.

Everyday, they surprise us with their public displays of love and affection. Actually, every minute.

Now as you can see, this clearly isn’t enough proof that they’re dating. Right?

I want you to pay close attention to this video. What do you see? It’s your favourite celebrities. What are they doing? kissing. Yes, kissing.

The people who will continue to be in denial because Wizkid is their designated husband.

There’s also the people who just think Tiwa is too old for Wizkid and it’s impossible.

Anyway, whatever you choose to believe it is very clear that Wizkid and Tiwa Savage are living their best lives.

Before I finally go, I have one question. Wizkid and Tiwa Savage are kissing, Davido and Chioma are kissing, even Bobrisky and Tonto Dikeh are kissing. Who are you kissing?

Proving her international exposure status, Tiwa Savage attended the event in a yellow dress and even took pictures with celebrities like Jidenna and DJ Khaled.

Some of the celebs obviously came to slay.

Some just be bothered about slaying on the red carpet, we’re not judging sha.

But that’s not why we’re here.

We’re here to tell you how Beyonce basically stole the show and put it in her pocket.

If you don’t believe us, this video is enough proof.

This was team Zikoko after watching Beyonce’s performance:

But we’re not the only ones that feel this way, the internet has gone wild!

Beyonce is not anybody’s mate.

Why is she so awesome abeg?

Beyonce’s haters better shut up forever.

Beyonce is that person that will look better than you at your own wedding.

We just have three words for Mummy Beyonce, thank you ma!

The hype got bigger when popular entertainment consultant and A&R, Bizzle Osikoya, shared a post about Jay Z’s interest in Tiwa’s music catalogue.

And guess what, Tiwa Savage and Mavin Records Boss, Don Jazzy, are currently in New York and even shared pictures of their meeting with Jay Z.

She’s set to finalise her deal with Roc Nation and that means she’ll be rubbing shoulders with artistes like Rihanna and DJ Khaled.

It’s surprising to note Don Jazzy’s participation in this deal despite his discomfort with D’banj’s deal with G.O.O.D Music in 2012. It’s hard to forget how that drama led to the split-up of the great Mo’Hits records.

This deal is major and shows that the only way for Nigerian music is up. Congratulations to Tiwa and we anticipate even more awesome music from here!

Tiwa Savage, in an interview with pulse TV shared her own side of the story and addressed the speculations about her marriage.

She explained how worried she got when she learnt about Tee Billz suicidal rants and how concerned she was for his safety.

However, she also revealed the problems she faced while in the marriage and how she didn’t want to keep up appearances.

Fighting back tears, she told the interviewer of the unfortunate miscarriage she had recently.

In the Interview, Tiwa revealed how Tee Billz stole from her while he was her manager. She fired him just to make things work between them.

However, as she said, Tee Billz cheated on her frequently and even had a child by another woman during their relationship.

She also discovered he had ‘interesting’ conversations with another woman which he saved as ‘Edible catering’ on his phone while she was dealing with her miscarriage.

Tiwa also told of how she caught him doing cocaine and how he had drug and alcohol problems.

Although she paid off some of his debt which include a Mercedes Benz and Rolex watch, he still incurred a 45 million Naira debt and is currently wanted by the EFCC.