Tiwa Savage has 4 studio albums: Once Upon a Time, R.E.D, Celia, and This One Is Personal. Her chart toppers include “Koroba” at UK #10 for 12 weeks, “On the Low” ft. Skepta at UK #10, and “Dangerous Love” at UK #12. She is a Nigerian Afrobeats and R&B singer born in Lagos and trained at Berklee College of Music. She won Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and performed at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. This page covers every Tiwa Savage album, her biggest songs, latest releases, and chart milestones in one place.
Who is Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage, born Tiwatope Omolara Savage on February 5, 1980, in Isale Eko, Lagos, Nigeria, is the most globally recognized Nigerian female Afrobeats artist alive. She is widely known as the Queen of Afrobeats. Her career spans 15 years, 4 studio albums, 2 EPs, and over 24 singles across Nigerian pop, R&B, soul, dancehall, and Afrohouse.
She moved to London at age 11 and earned a Business Administration degree from the University of Kent. Tiwa chose music over accounting, studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and graduated at age 27. She backed global stars like George Michael, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, and Chaka Khan before launching her solo career. She co-wrote “Collard Greens and Cornbread” for Fantasia, which earned a Grammy nomination. Tiwa signed with Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records in 2012, released “Kele Kele Love,” and never looked back. She became the first woman to win Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and later performed at Windsor Castle for the King of England.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tiwatope Omolara Savage |
| Born | February 5, 1980, Isale Eko, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genres | Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop, Soul, Dancehall |
| Labels | Mavin Records, Universal Music Group, Empire Distribution |
| Studio Albums | 4 |
| EPs | 2 |
| Major Award | MTV EMA Best African Act (first woman ever) |
| Royal Performance | King Charles III Coronation Concert, Windsor Castle |
| Education | University of Kent (Business Admin), Berklee College of Music (Professional Music) |
| Early Career | Backup vocalist for George Michael, Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan |
| Songwriting | Co wrote Grammy nominated “Collard Greens and Cornbread” for Fantasia |
Tiwa Savage Chart Toppers and UK Singles Data
These are her actual verified chart positions from the UK Official Afrobeats Chart and UK Official Singles Chart. No other Nigerian female artist has matched this level of consistent UK chart activity.
| Song | Featured Artist | UK Chart Peak | Weeks Charted | From Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Koroba” | Solo | #10 UK Afrobeats | 12 weeks | Celia |
| “On the Low” | Skepta | #10 UK Afrobeats | 4 weeks top 10 | This One Is Personal |
| “Dangerous Love” | Solo | #12 UK Afrobeats | 3 weeks | Celia |
| “Pick Up” | Solo | #13 UK Afrobeats | 7 weeks | Single |
| “You4Me” | Solo | #16 UK Afrobeats | Active | This One Is Personal |
| “Commitment” | Craig David | #51 UK Singles | 1 week | Single |
| “Somebody’s Son” | Brandy | #80 UK Singles | 1 week | Water and Garri |
“Koroba” is her longest charting single at 12 consecutive weeks. “On the Low” ft. Skepta matched that same #10 peak. Both “You4Me” and “On the Low” charted on the UK Afrobeats Chart at the same time, making Tiwa one of very few African female artists to hold 2 active UK chart singles simultaneously. Her chart run spans Afrobeats, Afropop, R&B, and grime, which shows how many genres she commands at once. To understand where her sound sits in the broader genre story, see the full breakdown of Afrobeats vs Afrobeat on Tubidy Africa.
Tiwa Savage Top Songs of All Time
These are her 10 biggest songs ranked by chart data, streaming figures, and fan reception across Africa, the UK, and the diaspora.
- “Koroba” from Celia: UK #10 for 12 consecutive weeks, her longest charting single and most recognized anthem for female power and self confidence.
- “Somebody’s Son” ft. Brandy from Water and Garri: Her biggest crossover record, built on shared R&B vocal DNA between Tiwa and Brandy, reaching US audiences for the first time.
- “All Over” from R.E.D and Sugarcane: Produced by BabyFresh, this became her most universally recognized Afropop hook across Africa and the diaspora.
- “On the Low” ft. Skepta from This One Is Personal: UK #10, an Afrobeats and grime crossover where Skepta delivers his first ever romantic rap verse, charting alongside “You4Me” at the same time.
- “Eminado” ft. Don Jazzy from Once Upon a Time: The record that made her name in Nigeria, peaking at #2 on MTV Base’s Official Naija Top 10 Chart.
- “You4Me” from This One Is Personal: UK #16, built on a sample of Tamia’s “So Into You,” showing Tiwa’s R&B songwriter instinct at its clearest.
- “Loaded” ft. Asake (Single): Asake brings new school Afrobeats energy while Tiwa brings seasoned delivery, connecting 2 eras of Nigerian music in one breezy record.
- “49-99” from Celia: Her most politically charged record, blending modern Afrobeats with Fela Kuti’s original sound to address economic inequality directly.
- “Ma Lo” ft. Wizkid and Spellz from Water and Garri: A mid tempo love record showing unmistakable vocal chemistry between Nigeria’s 2 biggest pop stars.
- “Kele Kele” from Once Upon a Time: Her debut hit that set her songwriting standard, demanding real love and self worth from the very start of her solo career.
All Tiwa Savage Albums Ranked and Broken Down
Her 4 studio albums each introduced a different sound era, a different label phase, and a different version of Tiwa Savage as an artist. Here is every album with what is on it, what it sounds like, and which songs from it matter most.
1. This One Is Personal (2025, Empire Distribution)
This is Tiwa Savage’s 4th and most recent studio album, released August 29, and her most intimate work to date. She described it as her “most vulnerable” project. She recorded it across Nashville, Malibu, San Francisco, London, and Lagos over 2 years. The album blends R&B and Afrobeats across 15 tracks with only 3 guest artists: Skepta, James Fauntleroy, and Taves. Fauntleroy has co written records for Beyoncé, Drake, and Miguel. This gives the album a prestige songwriting standard that sets it apart from anything she has released before.
The opener “I’m Done” is a stripped piano ballad. She paused her San Francisco recording session in tears before completing it. The first lyric: “I’ve got to learn how to love me first, you don’t know the value of my love.” That one line sets the emotional tone for the entire record. The album peaked at #42 on UK Album Downloads and #18 on the UK R&B Albums Chart in its opening week.
Full Tracklist: This One Is Personal
- I’m Done
- Angel Dust
- You4Me
- On the Low ft. Skepta
- Holding It Down
- 10%
- Twisted
- Scared of Love
- Pray No More
- Addicted ft. Taves
- This One Is Personal (Interlude)
- Will I Run Again?
- For One Night
- You’re Not the First (You’re Just the Worst)
- Change ft. James Fauntleroy
Best Songs from This One Is Personal
- “On the Low” ft. Skepta: UK #10, best received track on the album by critics and fans
- “Angel Dust”: Ranked #2 by users on Album of the Year for its smooth R&B production
- “10%”: Ranked #3, emotionally driven mid tempo R&B with confessional lyrics
- “I’m Done”: The piano opener, most emotionally raw song she has ever recorded
- “You4Me”: UK #16, the lead single built on a Tamia sample
2. Celia (2020, Universal Music Africa)
Celia is Tiwa Savage’s most commercially successful album and the one that produced her biggest UK chart hit. “Koroba” spent 12 weeks at #10 on the UK Afrobeats Chart. “49-99” is the most political record of her career. The album blends Afrobeats, R&B, and Afrohouse across 14 tracks and shows a more sophisticated, globally minded Tiwa compared to her earlier work.
Best Songs from Celia
- “Koroba”: UK #10 for 12 weeks, her longest charting single ever, Afrobeats female empowerment anthem
- “Dangerous Love”: UK #12, smooth Afrobeats track showing her at her vocal best
- “49-99”: Fela Kuti inspired political Afrobeats, rare social commentary at this level of pop
- “Temptation” ft. Sam Smith: Reggae tinged crossover that pushed her into European and North American markets
- “Ole”: Raw Lagos attitude, streetwise Afrobeats with a hook that stuck immediately
3. R.E.D (2015, Mavin Records / Sony Music)
R.E.D stands for Romance, Expression and Dance and is Tiwa Savage’s second studio album, her major label push toward a global audience. Released via Mavin Records and Sony Music, it blends Afropop, dancehall, and R&B across 14 tracks. Producers Spellz, BabyFresh, Altims, and P2J gave the album a more polished, international sound than her debut. “All Over” from this era became her most universally recognized Afropop hook.
Best Songs from R.E.D
- “All Over”: Her most universally streamed Afropop hit, produced by BabyFresh, a classic hook across Africa and the diaspora
- “My Darlin'”: Stripped back romance record showing her vocal clarity at its peak
- “African Waist”: Dance floor energy built for movement and celebration
- “Baby Love” ft. Sarkodie: West African cross region collab connecting Nigeria and Ghana audiences
- “Wanted”: Breezy mid tempo R&B Afropop showing her songwriting range
4. Once Upon a Time (2013, Mavin Records)
Once Upon a Time is Tiwa Savage’s debut studio album and the record that launched her into the Nigerian Afropop mainstream. Released via Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, it contains 16 tracks and established her identity as a songwriter, not just a pop singer. “Eminado” ft. Don Jazzy peaked at #2 on MTV Base’s Official Naija Top 10 Chart. “Kele Kele” introduced the sharp, personal songwriting voice she has carried across every project since.
Best Songs from Once Upon a Time
- “Eminado” ft. Don Jazzy: Her breakthrough hit, peaked #2 on MTV Base Naija Top 10, peak creative chemistry with Don Jazzy
- “Kele Kele”: Her debut hit about self worth and demanding genuine love
- “Without My Heart” ft. Don Jazzy: An emotional ballad showing her R&B depth from the very start
- “Love Me Love Me Love Me”: Groovy Afropop with an infectious radio ready hook
- “Folake”: A personal identity record addressing womanhood through Afropop storytelling
Tiwa Savage EPs
Sugarcane (2017, Universal Music Africa)
Sugarcane is a 7 track EP that produced “All Over,” which became one of her biggest fan favorites. It also features “Lova Lova” ft. Duncan Mighty and “Standing Ovation.” The project leaned into smooth pop R&B with polished Afrobeats production.
Water and Garri (2022, Universal Music Africa)
Water and Garri is a 7 track EP tied to her Prime Video film of the same name, which she also starred in and co produced. It features “Somebody’s Son” ft. Brandy, “Tales By Moonlight” ft. Amaarae, and “Ma Lo” ft. Wizkid. She released a separate 10 track original film soundtrack alongside the EP, making it the most genre diverse project of her career.
Tiwa Savage Latest Releases
Her latest studio album is This One Is Personal, released August 29 via Empire Distribution, her first full studio project in 5 years. The 2 lead singles both charted on the UK Afrobeats Chart at the same time.
“You4Me” (Lead Single)
“You4Me” peaked at #16 on the UK Afrobeats Chart after its April release. Producer Mystro built the track around a sample from Tamia’s “So Into You.” The song also interpolates a phrase from Nigerian rapper Olamide. Tiwa describes it as “a girl fantasizing about a guy she has feelings for.” It was the first signal that her 4th album would lean further into R&B than Afrobeats.
“On the Low” ft. Skepta (Latest UK Top 10 Hit)
“On the Low” peaked at #10 on the UK Afrobeats Chart and spent 4 weeks in the top 10 after its July release. The song is about a secret romance between 2 people who feel they cannot be together publicly. Skepta delivers his first ever romantic rap feature on this track. Music press called it one of the best Afrobeats and grime crossover records in recent memory. It matched “Koroba” at the same #10 UK peak, making Tiwa the only Nigerian female artist to reach UK Afrobeats #10 on 2 separate songs.
Tiwa Savage Best Collaborations
Her collaborations are chosen by artistic fit, not fame alone. That is why they consistently produce genuine hits rather than hype records. Here are her most important features across her full career.
International Features
- “Somebody’s Son” with Brandy from Water and Garri
Her most powerful crossover record. Brandy and Tiwa share soulful vocals on an anthem about love and self worth. It gave Tiwa reach directly into the US R&B market. - “On the Low” with Skepta from This One Is Personal
UK #10, 4 weeks top 10. Skepta delivers his most romantic verse ever. Tiwa leads without losing her Afrobeats identity for a moment. - “Temptation” with Sam Smith from Celia
A reggae tinged crossover that pushed Tiwa into European and North American markets at a scale few African female artists had reached. - “Change” with James Fauntleroy from This One Is Personal
Fauntleroy has co written records for Beyoncé, Drake, and Miguel. This closing track is one of Tiwa’s most prestigious creative partnerships.
Nigerian and African Collaborations
- “Eminado” with Don Jazzy from Once Upon a Time
A debut era classic that made Nigerian pop history. Their time together at Mavin Records produced some of the most beloved early Afrobeats records in Nigeria’s catalog. - “Ma Lo” with Wizkid and Spellz from Water and Garri
A mid tempo love record between 2 of Nigeria’s biggest stars. Their vocal chemistry is one of the highlights of both careers. See how those 2 Nigerian giants compare in the Davido vs Wizkid full comparison. - “Stamina” with Ayra Starr and Young Jonn (Single)
A 3-way pop anthem. Ayra Starr has publicly named Tiwa as a direct influence on her vocal technique and creative approach. - “Loaded” with Asake (Single)
Asake brings new school Afrobeats energy. Tiwa brings seasoned delivery. Together, they made a breezy record about success that connected 2 generations of Nigerian music in one track.
Tiwa Savage Songs by Mood
Pick a Tiwa Savage song based on what you need right now. Every entry below is a real match to the mood, not a generic recommendation.
| Mood | Song | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Party and Dance | “Koroba” | Anthemic Afrobeats hook, high crowd energy, body rolling beat at UK #10 |
| Love and Romance | “You4Me” | Smooth R&B, Tamia sample, warm dreamy feeling of new attraction |
| Heartbreak and Healing | “I’m Done” | Stripped piano ballad, brutally honest lyrics about choosing yourself |
| Late Night Feelings | “Tales By Moonlight” ft. Amaarae | Sensual, slow, smoky Afrobeats with Amaarae’s ethereal vocals underneath Tiwa’s |
| Empowerment | “49-99” | Fela Kuti inspired, politically conscious, one of the boldest pop records she made |
| Joy and Celebration | “All Over” | Carefree Afropop energy, one of Nigeria’s most repeated hooks, pure feel good |
| Secret Romance | “On the Low” ft. Skepta | Afrobeats and grime crossover, stolen moments energy, UK #10 |
| Nostalgia and Throwback | “Eminado” ft. Don Jazzy | Peak Mavin Records era chemistry, classic debut Afropop that made her name |
Tiwa Savage Awards and Career Milestones
She became the first woman to win Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards. Tiwa also won multiple Headies Awards in Nigeria across Best Female Artist, Best R&B Artist, and Songwriter of the Year. She performed “Keys to the Kingdom” at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in May of that year. Tiwa starred in and co produced Prime Video’s Water and Garri film with director Meji Alabi, releasing both a 7 track EP and a 10 track film soundtrack alongside it.
She is one of very few African female artists to hold 2 active UK chart singles at the same time. Tiwa is also one of the only African artists who has performed at a UK royal ceremony and charted in the UK top 10 without a major label deal. She stands alongside Yemi Alade as one of the 2 most globally recognized Nigerian female artists in Afrobeats history. Both rank in the top 10 most successful African female artists of all time. Also see her recognition in the BET Awards African artists history on Tubidy Africa.
Tiwa Savage Complete Discography
| Project | Year | Type | Label | Tracks | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Once Upon a Time | 2013 | Studio Album | Mavin Records | 16 | Afropop, R&B |
| R.E.D | 2015 | Studio Album | Mavin / Sony | 14 | Afropop, Dancehall, R&B |
| Sugarcane | 2017 | EP | Universal Music Africa | 7 | Pop R&B, Afrobeats |
| Celia | 2020 | Studio Album | Universal Music Africa | 14 | Afrobeats, R&B, Afrohouse |
| Water and Garri | 2022 | EP | Universal Music Africa | 7 | Afrobeats, Soul R&B |
| Water and Garri OST | 2024 | Film Soundtrack | Universal Music Africa | 10 | Mixed Genre |
| This One Is Personal | 2025 | Studio Album | Empire Distribution | 15 | R&B, Afrobeats |
FAQ: Tiwa Savage Albums, Top Songs and Chart Toppers
“Koroba” spent 12 consecutive weeks at #10 on the UK Afrobeats Chart. It is her longest charting single. The track comes from her 3rd studio album Celia and is widely recognized as her signature song.
Her latest studio album is This One Is Personal, released August 29 via Empire Distribution. It contains 15 tracks. Lead singles “You4Me” peaked at UK #16 and “On the Low” ft. Skepta peaked at UK #10. She recorded it across Nashville, Malibu, San Francisco, London, and Lagos over 2 years.
By chart weeks, “Koroba” holds the record at 12 weeks UK #10. By emotional reach and crossover impact, “Somebody’s Son” ft. Brandy is her most loved record. By sheer streaming volume across Africa, “All Over” remains her most universally recognized Afropop hook.
Tiwa Savage has 4 studio albums: Once Upon a Time (2013), R.E.D (2015), Celia (2020), and This One Is Personal (2025). She also released 2 EPs (Sugarcane and Water and Garri) plus a 10 track Prime Video film soundtrack.
Start with Celia if you want her biggest UK chart songs. Start with Once Upon a Time if you want her debut era Nigerian Afropop classics. Tiwa‘s Start with This One Is Personal if you want her most recent, most personal, and most R&B forward sound. Start with Water and Garri EP if you want her best collaborations in one short listen.