12 Years of Once Upon A Time: Celebrating Tiwa Savage’s Groundbreaking Debut and Anticipating Her Next Chapter

Aimee Cherry Quartey
By
12 Years of Once Upon A Time: Celebrating Tiwa Savage’s Groundbreaking Debut and Anticipating Her Next Chapter
Tiwa Savage
Twelve years ago, the Nigerian music industry witnessed a defining moment with the release of Once Upon A Time, the debut album by Tiwa Savage. At a time when the Afrobeats landscape was still evolving and largely male-dominated, Tiwa stepped into the spotlight with a bold fusion of R&B, Afropop, and soulful melodies that instantly set her apart.

Released on July 3rd, 2013, Once Upon A Time was more than just an album, it was a cultural reset. The 21-track project introduced audiences to a refreshing female voice in Afrobeats, blending vulnerability with strength, modern pop with traditional Nigerian rhythms. From her iconic breakout single KELE KELE LOVE to fan favorites like LOVE ME (3x), IFE WA GBONA featuring Leo Wonder, and EMINADO featuring Don Jazzy, the album showcased Tiwa’s vocal versatility and knack for hit-making.

Tiwa’s arrival signaled that Nigerian women could not only play in the same arena as their male counterparts, they could lead it. Once Upon A Time was nominated for multiple awards, earning her spots on major stages across Africa and internationally. The album’s fusion of English and Yoruba lyrics, combined with its polished production and heartfelt songwriting, helped to expand the global appeal of Afrobeats and inspired a new generation of female artistes.

Critics praised her for seamlessly blending Western influences with deeply African roots, a sonic balance that was fresh at the time and has since become a staple of the genre.

Over the past 12 years, Tiwa Savage has evolved into one of Afrobeats’ most formidable global ambassadors, becoming the first African female artist signed to Roc Nation, performing on global platforms such as MTV EMAs, Global Citizen, and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Her discography now includes acclaimed projects like R.E.D (2015), Sugarcane (2017), Celia (2020), and her 2021 EP Water & Garri, which saw collaborations with the likes of Brandy and Amaarae.

Now, as she marks this important 12-year milestone, fans are eagerly awaiting her next body of work, This One Is Personal. The title alone suggests a deeper, more intimate offering and in recent interviews, Tiwa has hinted that the project will reflect themes of motherhood, resilience, heartbreak, and growth.

Set to drop later this year, This One Is Personal is expected to show a more stripped-down and vulnerable Tiwa Savage, both musically and lyrically. With the recent success of Water & Garri: The Film, which premiered on Prime Video alongside her EP re-release, Tiwa continues to blur the lines between music, storytelling, and visual art.

Tiwa Savage’s journey from Once Upon A Time to now is more than just a personal achievement, it’s a blueprint. She proved that women in Afrobeats could command both commercial success and artistic credibility. In doing so, she laid the groundwork for other powerhouse acts like Ayra Starr, Tems, Gyakie, Tyla, Qing Madi, and many more.

As we anticipate This One Is Personal, Tiwa stands not only as a veteran of the genre but also as a continuing force for innovation and representation in African music.

Tiwa Savage didn’t just make a debut — she made a declaration. And twelve years later, she’s still telling stories that matter.

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