Nigerian music superstar Tiwa Savage has once again proven why she remains one of the most fearless and outspoken voices in the African music scene. The celebrated singer caused a stir at her recent headline concert in London when she boldly dismissed the popular ‘Afrobeats Top 3’ narrative that often sidelines her contributions to the global rise of the genre.
The phrase ‘Big 3’ has long been associated with Nigerian heavyweights Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, who are widely regarded as the most dominant names in the Afrobeats space. However, Savage, who has spent more than a decade building an illustrious career both in Africa and internationally, challenged that ranking head-on during her electrifying performance.
In a dramatic moment that has since gone viral online, Tiwa paused her set to address the crowd before dropping what many have described as one of the boldest statements yet in the ongoing debate over Afrobeats hierarchy.
“I don’t want to say a lot of things because I will be trending by tomorrow. F**k the Top 3,” she yelled, to the deafening cheers of thousands of fans in attendance.
The crowd erupted instantly, with some hailing her for standing up against what they see as a gender-biased categorization, while others expressed shock at her blunt choice of words.
Challenging the ‘Big 3’ Narrative
For years, conversations around Afrobeats royalty have consistently circled around Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. The trio has sold out global arenas, topped international charts, and secured Grammy recognition, further strengthening their claim to the ‘Big 3’ status.
But Tiwa Savage’s outburst raises important questions about why female acts, despite their undeniable impact, are often excluded from such classifications. Widely acknowledged as the “Queen of Afrobeats,” Tiwa has not only released hit songs and chart-topping albums but also broken barriers by collaborating with global icons including Beyoncé, Brandy, and Sam Smith.
Industry analysts argue that her influence on Afrobeats is just as profound as her male counterparts. From her 2013 breakout with “Kele Kele Love” to her 2020 feature on Beyoncé’s Lion King: The Gift project, Tiwa has played a pioneering role in introducing African music to international audiences.
“Tiwa Savage is easily one of the architects of the Afrobeats sound as we know it today. To exclude her from the conversation of top Afrobeats artists because she is a woman reflects a deeper cultural bias,” said a Lagos-based music critic, reacting to her statement.
Breaking Gender Barriers
The controversy also touches on broader conversations about gender representation within the Afrobeats industry. The Nigerian music scene has historically been male-dominated, with few women breaking into the upper echelons of fame and influence.
Despite this, Tiwa Savage has consistently shattered ceilings. She became the first woman to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2018 and has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, from Coachella to the UK’s Wireless Festival.
Her comment in London is now being seen as both a rejection of the ‘boys club’ narrative and a demand for women in Afrobeats to be recognized for their equal contributions. Social media has been buzzing since the concert, with fans split between those praising her courage and those defending the long-held ‘Big 3’ standard.
A Family Moment Amid the Storm
Beyond the headline-making statement, Tiwa also delivered one of the night’s most touching moments when she brought her son, Jamil Balogun, on stage for the first time. The emotional gesture was met with applause from fans, who watched as mother and son shared the spotlight in a rare public appearance together.
The singer has previously spoken about her protective approach to parenting, telling interviewers that she would not encourage Jamil to follow in her footsteps as a musician. “I wouldn’t want him to go through what I have gone through in this industry,” she once admitted.
Her London show was therefore not only a showcase of her artistry but also a personal moment of vulnerability, reinforcing the fact that beyond the glitz and controversies, Tiwa Savage is also a devoted mother.
Reactions and Industry Implications
Since the London concert, reactions have been pouring in from fans, fellow artists, and entertainment commentators. Some argue that her statement was overdue, stressing that the Afrobeats industry needs to evolve beyond rigid rankings. Others believe that while Tiwa Savage is undoubtedly a legend, the ‘Big 3’ narrative has been cemented by commercial success and global recognition that remain unmatched.
Regardless of the varying opinions, one fact is clear: Tiwa Savage’s outburst has reignited conversations about inclusivity, recognition, and the future of Afrobeats.
Music analyst Kelechi Adebayo summed it up: “What Tiwa did in London is bigger than just a statement. It is a cultural reset. Afrobeats has reached a point where we must rethink how we measure greatness. If numbers, consistency, and global impact are the criteria, then Tiwa Savage must be in that conversation.”
The Road Ahead
With Afrobeats now firmly established on the global stage, the genre’s future will likely depend on how inclusive and diverse its representation becomes. Tiwa Savage, by challenging the status quo, has positioned herself once again at the forefront of that evolution.
Whether her words were a spontaneous outburst or a deliberate attempt to shift the narrative, they have succeeded in sparking a necessary debate. As conversations continue, one truth remains: Tiwa Savage has etched her name in the history of Afrobeats, not as a supporting act but as a leading force whose legacy will endure alongside the so-called ‘Big 3.’
In the end, her message was loud and clear — Afrobeats is bigger than just three names, and it is time the world recognized that.
