Tiwa Savage rejects ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ title, calls It “Uncomfortable”

Nigerian music superstar Tiwa Savage has made it clear that she does not like being called the “Queen of Afrobeats,” a title often associated with her since her breakout over a decade ago.

Speaking during a recent interview with Apple Music’s Ebro, the “All Over” crooner explained that while she appreciates the love from fans, the label makes her uncomfortable because of the weight of responsibility that comes with it, and because it does not fully represent the collective effort of female artists in Afrobeats.

“Yeah, they call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but there are a lot of us that are Queens,” Tiwa said, stressing that the genre has grown to accommodate many women who are equally pushing boundaries.

Tiwa’s take: “It doesn’t make sense to me”

Tiwa, who has been a leading voice in Afrobeats since the release of her debut single “Kele Kele Love” in 2010, admitted that she struggles with the idea of accepting the title.

“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. So, I don’t accept it,” she explained.

Her comments shed light on a larger conversation about labels and hierarchies in music, especially in Afrobeats, a genre that has exploded globally in the last decade.

While fans and the media often crown certain artists as “Kings” or “Queens,” Tiwa’s perspective raises an important point: Afrobeats is a movement built on collaboration and multiple voices, not just one star.

Tiwa also hinted that the title could create unnecessary pressure, pushing artists to maintain a certain image rather than grow naturally. “I feel like if I start accepting it, I need to act a certain way,” she said, describing it as a burden she does not want to carry.

Afrobeats has many queens

Indeed, Tiwa Savage is not alone at the top of the game. In recent years, female artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, and FAVE have carved their own spaces in the industry, gaining international recognition and challenging the idea that one artist can hold the crown.

Tems, for instance, has won a Grammy and written for global stars like Rihanna and Beyoncé. Ayra Starr, dubbed “Sabi Girl,” is headlining tours around the world and breaking streaming records. Together, these women are proving that Afrobeats is not defined by a single figure but by a wave of talent.

Tiwa’s stance might also be seen as a way of encouraging a more inclusive conversation, one where fans celebrate a generation of female stars instead of narrowing the spotlight to just one.

Even though she refuses the crown, Tiwa’s impact on Afrobeats is undeniable. Since her debut, she has dropped multiple hit singles, collaborated with global acts like Brandy, Sam Smith, and Wizkid, and performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, from London’s O2 Arena to the Global Citizen Festival.

Her refusal of the title does not take away from her influence, if anything, it humanizes her. By rejecting the label, Tiwa reminds her audience that Afrobeats is bigger than any single artist and that the genre’s growth depends on recognizing the work of many, not just a few.

See also: Hilda Baci’s attempt at making the largest pot of jollof rice. Iconic!