The award-winning artiste made the remarks during an in-depth conversation on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast with journalist Joey Akan, which surfaced online on Saturday.
"I Wasn't Fazed by Fame or Money"
Reflecting on the early days of her career, Savage said starting out later than most artistes allowed her to develop a strong personal foundation and emotional maturity.
“Because my first single, I think I was in my 30s… I’m not a kid at that point. So I wasn’t fazed by the fame and money, like a lot of people,” she said.
Savage, whose hit song “Somebody’s Son” remains a fan favorite, noted that her grounded mindset helped her stay focused even as success came her way.
Intentional Career Building
The singer revealed that her entry into the music industry was not only deliberate but also shaped by lessons she learned from observing others.
“I had years of building a foundation of me as a person,” she explained.
“So when my time came, it was just like, I know this, I know even [fame] lasts a year, two years. So I was very intentional in like making this, sustaining a lasting career.”
For Savage, maturity brought perspective — a valuable tool in an industry where rapid success is often followed by burnout or irrelevance.
Pressure to Fit In
Despite her confidence, Tiwa admitted she once considered lying about her age to fit into the entertainment industry’s youth-focused expectations.
“A lot of people… I was not that smart to change my passport. I should have. I should have lied and told y’all I was like 22. You would have believed it,” she joked during the interview.
Her candid admission underscores a common pressure many entertainers face in balancing authenticity with the perceived ideals of the industry.
From Music to Film
Now widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most successful female artistes, Tiwa Savage has expanded her creative reach. She recently made her Hollywood debut with the Amazon Prime film Water & Garri, further establishing herself as a multi-dimensional talent.
With a catalogue of local and international collaborations, multiple awards, and a distinct voice in Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage’s reflections provide insight into how maturity, self-awareness, and intentionality have shaped her journey — and may continue to influence her legacy.