How Bullying At School Pushed Tiwa Savage Into Music

Photo Source: Spice TV Africa/Twitter

By Khis Cj

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Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress Tiwa Savage has recounted how constant bullying at school when she moved to London in the United Kingdom played a part in her venturing into music.

Born Tiwatope Savage in Isale Eko, Nigeria, Tiwa Savage relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education.

Things were however not rosy in the UK, as she was bullied because of her accent and body shape.

"I was bullied horrendously in school, mainly for having a thick Nigerian accent and being super-skinny with long arms and legs and no hair," Tiwa Savage told South Africa's Glamour Magazine in their March issue, which she was the cover girl.

"Music became my way of coping," added the multiple award-winning Nigerian singer.

According to the 'Dangerous Love' hit maker, music has been a constant in her life as she grew up surrounded by music - at home and in church.

"When I was bullied in school, I had a crush on a boy in the music class, so I joined the school music program. I played the trombone because that was the only position available in the band," recalled Tiwa Savage.

Asked about circumstances that led to her moving to the UK, Tiwa Savage said it was initially meant to be a visit to her brothers and layer return back to Nigeria.

"To my surprise, my mom announced I wouldn’t be returning to Lagos, that I was going to start school in London," she said in the interview with Glamour Magazine.

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Five years after moving to the UK, Tiwa Savage began her music career doing backup vocals for artists such as George Michael and Mary J. Blige.

Today, the 41-year-old singer-songwriter ranks among the Africa's leading female Afrobeats artists.

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One of her most recent project in the 'Celia' album released in August 2020 that currently has over 200 million streams across all digital platforms.

The album which is Tiwa Savage's third features guest appearances from Sam Smith, Naira Marley, Stefflon Don, Dice Ailes, Davido, and Hamzaa.

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