Reason Tiwa Savage Rejects ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ Label

Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has opened up about why she does not embrace the popular label “Queen of Afrobeats,” a title that has often been attached to her name in the media.

Speaking in a candid interview with Apple Music’s Ebro, the All Over hitmaker revealed that while she appreciates the recognition, the tag feels uncomfortable and doesn’t fully capture the reality of the genre’s female talent pool.

“Yeah, they call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but there are a lot of us that are queens,” Tiwa explained, noting that several other women in the industry also deserve acknowledgment for shaping the Afrobeats sound.

According to the award-winning artist, the title carries a weight of responsibility she isn’t comfortable accepting. She added that embracing it would require her to maintain a certain image and humility that doesn’t align with how she sees herself.

“Personally, I don’t like that tag. It’s uncomfortable because I feel like if I start accepting it, I need to be humble, and secondly, it doesn’t make sense to me. So, I don’t accept it,” she said.

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While she rejects the crown, there’s little debate about Tiwa’s status as one of Afrobeats’ most successful trailblazers. Since her breakout in 2010 with Kele Kele Love, the singer has churned out global hits, collaborated with international stars, and built a reputation as one of the genre’s defining voices.

Still, Tiwa insists Afrobeats is bigger than one person. By rejecting the “Queen” label, she hopes to highlight the collective contributions of the many women who are just as instrumental in pushing the sound forward.

Afrobeats is a globally celebrated music genre that originated in West Africa, particularly Nigeria and Ghana. Known for its infectious rhythms, fusion of African percussion, hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B, Afrobeats has grown into a cultural movement that dominates charts worldwide.

Artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and Tiwa Savage have taken the sound international, while newer acts continue to expand its reach. More than just music, Afrobeats represents African pride, storytelling, and the continent’s vibrant creative energy.