Tiwa Savage Rejects “Queen of Afrobeats” Label

Globally acclaimed singer Tiwa Savage has expressed discomfort with being labeled the “Queen of Afrobeats,” insisting that the genre has several other female powerhouses equally deserving of recognition.

Savage, who has consistently elevated Afrobeats on the international stage, told PulseNets in an exclusive conversation obtained via Apple Music’s Ebro interview that although she values her fans’ admiration, she does not embrace the royal title often linked to her name.

In her words, “People love to call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but truly, there are many Queens in this game,” she shared thoughtfully. “To be honest, I’m not at ease with that label. Accepting it would mean carrying a huge responsibility and staying overly humble every time. Honestly, it doesn’t add up for me, so I don’t take it. But I deeply appreciate the love behind it.”

PulseNets reported that Savage further acknowledged her pivotal role in paving the way for female artists in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene. She noted, “I never coined that name for myself. I think it stuck because I was among the first Nigerian female artists to truly break through. For that, I’m grateful, and I’ll never take the support for granted.”