Afrobeats queen, Tiwatope Omolara Savage, also known as Tiwa Savage, is aiming for Grammy success with a bold strategy, having submitted seven entries for the 2026 awards ceremony set for February 1, 2026.
Her latest album, This One Is Personal, which features collaborations with Taves, Skepta, and James Fauntleroy, is at the forefront of her campaign, illustrating her emotional storytelling and genre-blending sound.
The ambitious submission is considered one of the boldest by an African artist. The self-proclaimed ‘original African bad girl’ has her sights set on several categories, including ‘Best Global Music Album, Best Album Cover, Best Global Music Performance, Best African Music Performance, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song.
Her hit single You4Me stands out, with dual submissions in both Best Global Music Performance and Best African Music Performance, highlighting her status as a trailblazer in the Afrobeats movement. Meanwhile, This One Is Personal aims for ‘Best Global Music Album’ and ‘Best Album Cover’.
Tiwa’s R&B roots shine through nominations for Best R&B Performance with 10%, Best Traditional R&B Performance with I’m Done, and Best R&B Song with Holding It Down.
With these submissions, the hitmaker is not just making a statement for herself but also elevating African music onto the global stage, showcasing her versatility and influence across various genres.
Critics have praised the album for its maturity, introspection, and creative growth. Rolling Stone has dubbed her the “Afrobeats foremother,” while Billboard noted her new sound as “Tiwa Savage like you’ve never heard her before.”
If any of her entries snag a nomination on November 7, it would be another significant milestone for the music diva and for African music overall, further solidifying her role as one of the continent’s most influential global ambassadors.
Meanwhile, the mother of one recently addressed ongoing claims that she avoids collaborating with other female artists, setting the record straight with a powerful social media post. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, October 14, she challenged what she called “false narratives,” sharing a collage that showcased her collaborations with various female musicians across Africa.
..., titled “TIWA SAVAGE AND THE QUEENS SHE’S COLLABORATED WITH,” featured album artwork from 12 different projects, highlighting her partnerships with other women in music.
“Tomorrow they will say I don’t like other females or that I don’t work with them. Please, where are those people who set ring lights to spread false narratives? And how many of these beautiful records have they helped us to promote?” she wrote.
The compilation included her work with several top artistes, including Ayra Starr on Stamina, Gara, Waje on Onye and All Day, Simi on Men Are Crazy, Asa on Emotions, Efya on The One, and Amaarae on Tales by Moonlight. She has also collaborated with Becca, Wavy The Creator, MzVee, and Di’Ja, among others.