In 2011, Tiwa Savage was introduced into the Nigerian Music Industry and since then, has gone on to become the leading face of Afrobeat.
“Once Upon a Time” was the debut studio album of Tiwa Savage released in 2013 under her former label, Mavin Records and 323 Entertainment.
The album contained features from Don Jazzy, Iceberg Slim, Sarkodie, Flavour & General Pype and songs were produced by Don Jazzy, Del B, Gospelondebeat, Raydar Ellis, Sauce Wilson, Spellz Magik Boi, Warren “Oak” Felder & Harmony Samuels.
With more than one hour running time, the album was a blend of R’n’B, Reggae/dancehall, Afrobeat, Afropop, Techno, Gospel. Tiwa made sure to touch every genre she could on this album.
The album took a while to come out after a series of delays but finally dropped in 2013.
Here are our 5 Favorite songs based on feel and commercial success.
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Kele Kele Love
Kele Kele Love is the first single Tiwa Savage released from the album. The song was what introduced to the Nigerian audience. This song is afro-beats brilliance and is timeless.
Love me 3X
Tiwa attacks our auditory system demanding to be loved on the bouncy chorus of ‘Love Me x3’, with a perfect mixture of English and Yoruba and a bridge that rises to the occasion.
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Without My Heart ft Don Jazzy
Tiwa Savage takes it to another realm showing her versatility sonically. The ragga/dancehall anthem features Don Jazzy who surprisingly keeps up with Savage with his verse adding his own unique element to the ‘Oak’ produced beat.
Eminado ft Don Jazzy
Eminado is another song in which she partners with Don Jazzy who takes charge on the first verse. The song was a bop which went to become a lot of people’s favorite.
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Wanted
“Wanted” was a confident Tiwa giving us the reasons why she was very important and foreshadowing her present-day success story.
The song samples a line from Damian Marley’s ‘Journey to Jamrock’ and is a ragga winner that can be likened to Rihanna’s ‘Man Down’.
Produced by western hit-maker ‘Warren “Oak” Felder’ who has worked with the likes of (Rihanna, Chris Brown and Alicia Keys), Savage rides the bouncy reggae-inspired beat venting about committing murder with her looks.