Tiwa Savage Steps Into the Spotlight: A New Journey in Acting and Music
Known for her remarkable achievements in Afrobeats, Tiwa Savage unveils her hidden passion for acting as she embarks on a new chapter in her career, blending a fresh sound with her debut on the silver screen.
Tiwa Savage, known for her remarkable achievements in Afrobeats music, has always had a hidden desire to try her hand at acting.
During a recent interview with CNN's Larry Madowo in Lagos, she revealed, "Acting was actually my first passion before I ventured into music."
At the age of 44, the talented Nigerian artist has turned her aspirations into achievements. Recently, on May 10, her highly awaited first film, "Water & Garri," was released on Prime Video, showcasing her acting debut.
The film, "Water & Garri," was executive produced by Savage and directed by her trusted music video director, Meji Alabi. This project is a joint effort between Everything Savage, Unbound Studios, and JM Films.
Savage's idea to create a visual album for her 2021 EP of the same name led to the birth of the concept. Initially intended as a short film, it grew into its own identity, as Savage explained.
The film, written by Comfort Emmanuel, takes place in a fictional town on the Cape Coast of Ghana. It follows the story of Aisha, a determined fashion designer played by Savage, who returns to her hometown after a family tragedy following a ten-year stay in the US. However, she discovers upon her return that her once familiar surroundings have been changed by increasing violence and tensions.
As Aisha reconnects with her family, old friends, and a former flame, she is forced to confront her past and come to terms with the guilt of leaving things behind. This experience resonated with Savage, who found similarities to her own life.
Savage shared, "Both Aisha and I felt the need to pursue our dreams somewhere else." To prepare for the role of Aisha, Savage underwent two weeks of intensive training in London.
"It was simply a way to help me come out of my shell, to break away from being like Tiwa Savage and just let go of all my inhibitions - and then finally let me embrace a completely different persona," she explained.
Tiwa Savage's popularity has skyrocketed over the years, landing her on big stages around the world -- including a concert celebrating the coronation of King Charles in the UK (pictured), on May 7, 2023.
Tiwa Savage has become increasingly popular over the years, leading her to perform on major stages globally. One of her notable appearances was at a concert held to commemorate the coronation of King Charles in the UK on May 7, 2023.
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Savage not only left behind her superstar image as the film production progressed, but she also decided to veer away from the original music idea and create a brand new soundtrack for the movie.
The singer explained that the original plan was to include the first five songs on the EP in the soundtrack. However, as they finished filming, the project took on a completely different identity, resulting in a whole new soundtrack.
The album provided Savage with an opportunity to explore and expand her vocal capabilities, as well as venture into different musical genres.
"My Sound"- Stonebwoy featuring Shaggy
Though Jamaica and Africa are thousands of miles apart, they share a strong cultural connection that has inspired amazing music. In Stonebwoy's 2023 album "The 5th Dimension," the Ghanaian Afro-dancehall artist collaborated with Jamaican singer Shaggy on the track "My Sound." The song gained popularity after being featured on the season 5 premiere of "Love & Hip Hop Miami." Shaggy is set to perform at Stonebwoy's BHIM music festival in December, further showcasing the bond between Africa and the Caribbean through music collaborations. Check out the gallery for more examples of this cultural bridge.
"My Sound"- Stonebwoy featuring ShaggyThough thousands of miles apart, Jamaica and the continent of Africa share a deep cultural bond that has birthed an impressive musical soundtrack. In his 2023 album "The 5th Dimension," Ghanaian Afro-dancehall star Stonebwoy featured Jamaican singer Shaggy on "My Sound." The song gained prominence when it was featured on the season 5 premiere of "Love & Hip Hop Miami," and Shaggy is anticipated to perform at Stonebwoy’s BHIM music festival in December. Look through the gallery for more collaborations that exemplify the cultural bridge between Africa and the Caribbean.
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Savage expressed, "I feel like I've been limited to a specific sound after doing it for more than a decade."
The soundtrack featured 10 songs, with notable collaborations such as with French Nigerian singer Asa on the folk song "Emotions," American gospel artist Zacardi Cortez on "I Need You," and Richard Bona & The Cavemen on the jazz track "Water & Garri."
"I was able to explore those different genres through creating the soundtrack," she shared. "I don't think I could have done that as Tiwa Savage. It allowed me to tap into different pockets of my talent."
The singer has always had a fondness for Jazz, R&B, and gospel music. However, after her involvement in "Water & Garri" and working on the soundtrack, she realized how much she has evolved as an artist. This experience has inspired her to embrace unlimited creativity.
"I'm not sticking to the same sound that people are used to hearing from me. I've grown a lot, even in my performances. I used to focus more on dancing and routines," the singer-turned-actress shared.
"Now, I'm more focused on my vocal delivery," she continued. "Moving forward, I feel like there's nothing I can't do."
