Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has opened up about her approach to music collaborations, revealing why she sometimes chooses to work with male artistes despite expectations that established female singers should support one another.
In comments that have generated conversations among music fans, Tiwa addressed the criticism surrounding her decision to collaborate with rapper Odumodublvck. She explained that her experience with some female artistes has not always been straightforward, particularly when it comes to promoting songs after a collaboration.
According to the singer, she has featured female artistes on songs but sometimes found that the artistes did not actively promote the releases afterwards. For Tiwa, a collaboration is not simply about recording a song together. The success of a record can also depend on how much effort each artiste puts into pushing it after release.
She contrasted that experience with her decision to work with Odumodublvck, saying she was aware that the collaboration could potentially attract millions of streams.
Her comments have reignited an old conversation about how Nigerian artistes approach collaborations and whether successful female musicians genuinely support one another behind the scenes.
The Nigerian music industry has witnessed an increasing number of collaborations between major artistes in recent years. However, collaborations between female artistes often attract a different level of public attention, partly because fans frequently compare their careers, popularity and achievements.
Tiwa also pointed to her personal response when such comparisons have been directed at her.
She recalled a period when she was being compared with fellow Nigerian singer Yemi Alade. Rather than allowing the rivalry narrative to grow, Tiwa said she invited Alade onto her show.
The singer also mentioned Ayra Starr, another female artiste who has frequently been compared with her because of their positions as prominent Nigerian female performers.
Rather than treating the younger singer as a competitor, Tiwa said she responded by making a song with her.
The comments offer an interesting perspective on how Tiwa views competition within the entertainment industry. Instead of allowing comparisons with other women to determine her relationships, she has at different times chosen collaboration as a response.
Her decision to work with Ayra Starr was particularly significant because the younger singer represents a new generation of Nigerian artistes who have achieved international recognition.
For many fans, the issue is bigger than Tiwa’s choice of collaborators. It raises questions about what artistes owe one another after appearing on each other’s records.
A feature can involve more than lending vocals. Both artistes may be expected to promote the song through social media, interviews, performances and other platforms. When one person puts considerably more effort into promoting the record, tensions can emerge.
Tiwa’s comments suggest that this has influenced how she evaluates potential collaborations.
Her remarks have also attracted reactions because of the perception that female artistes should collaborate more frequently. Some fans have argued that stronger cooperation among women could help create a more supportive environment in an industry where female musicians often face intense comparisons.
Others believe artistes should be free to choose collaborators based on chemistry, commercial potential and the likelihood that a song will receive adequate promotion.
Tiwa’s own examples appear to show that she does not necessarily view other successful female artistes as threats. Her decision to work with Yemi Alade and Ayra Starr demonstrates that she is willing to turn public comparisons into actual collaborations.
At the same time, her explanation about promotional support suggests that friendship or gender alone may not be enough to determine whether a collaboration makes sense professionally.
Ultimately, Tiwa Savage’s comments have shifted attention back to an important part of the music business: a successful collaboration requires commitment from everyone involved.
While fans may continue to debate whether artistes should prioritise working with other women, Tiwa’s position appears to be that the music itself, the expected impact and the commitment to promoting it all matter when deciding who she wants to work with.
