Tiwa Savage Explains Why She Rejects the ‘Queen of Afrobeats’ Tag

Nigerian music star, Tiwa Savage, has revealed why she does not embrace the popular title “Queen of Afrobeats” often given to her by fans.

Speaking in a recent interview with Apple Music’s Ebro, Savage admitted that while she is deeply appreciative of the honour, she feels the label is not entirely fair.

According to her, there are many other female artists who also deserve to be recognised as queens in the Afrobeats space.

She said:

“Yeah, they call me the Queen of Afrobeats, but there are a lot of us that are Queens. 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]. But I appreciate it. I didn’t come up with it. I think it’s just because I was one of the first female artists in Nigeria to breakthrough. I do appreciate that. I’m not taking it for granted.”

Opinion: A Lesson in Humility and Shared Spotlight

Tiwa Savage’s response is more than just modesty—it’s a reminder of the power of humility in an industry often driven by titles and ego. By rejecting the sole crown, she is creating space for recognition of the many other women who have contributed to Afrobeats’ global rise.

Her stance is refreshing because, truthfully, the genre is no longer a one-woman field. From Yemi Alade’s vibrant energy, to Tems’ Grammy-winning sound, and Ayra Starr’s new-wave dominance, Afrobeats has become a powerful stage where multiple women shine brightly.

Titles like “Queen” or “King” can be flattering, but they also risk boxing artists into a corner or downplaying the efforts of others. Savage’s choice to embrace collective recognition instead of personal glorification shows a depth of character and a maturity that fans can respect.

At the end of the day, perhaps Afrobeats doesn’t need a single monarch—it thrives because of its many voices, each adding their own rhythm, story, and power to the sound that is taking the world by storm.

And that, in itself, is royalty.