The Afrobeats Revolution: Tiwa Savage Reveals She Was Once ‘Not Happy Being African’, But Music Changed Everything

Nigerian music queen Tiwa Savage has opened up about two major conversations dominating the entertainment world the alleged decline of Afrobeats and the issue of African cultural pride. Speaking at the recent Unstoppable Africans event, Savage shut down claims that the genre is “fading” while sharing a deeply personal story about her early struggles with identity.

The “Malo” singer revealed that during her childhood in London, she was once “not happy being African.” However, the rise of Afrobeats and the global embrace of African music transformed that feeling into a source of strength and pride.

Savage began her speech by countering recent remarks from music executives like Paul Okoye (Paulo) and DJ Big N, who claimed Afrobeats was losing its global grip. She declared the genre unstoppable, highlighting that Afrobeats remains the fastest-growing music genre in the world. According to her, the success of African artists continues to echo across the globe, with hit songs filling out stadiums and dominating international charts.

She reminded the audience that the genre’s rise was not easy. “We built this with nothing no support, no infrastructure, no real belief even from our own people initially,” she said, emphasizing the resilience, creativity, and passion of African artists who helped shape a global cultural movement.

The most emotional part of her message came when she reflected on how Afrobeats changed her perception of identity. “I remember growing up in London and I was not happy being African,” she said. “But now I’m so proud because of how big Afrobeats is growing.” Her confession resonated deeply, especially with members of the African diaspora who faced similar challenges of cultural acceptance.

Through her story, Savage highlighted that Afrobeats is more than just a genre it is a cultural revolution. It has transformed global perceptions of Africa, turning what was once seen as a struggle for representation into a celebration of identity. Today, young Africans worldwide proudly embrace their roots, thanks to the rhythm, confidence, and message of Afrobeats.

Tiwa Savage’s words reflect a movement that transcends music the Tiwa Savage Afrobeats Cultural Pride narrative one that celebrates heritage, unity, and self-acceptance. Afrobeats is not just thriving; it is redefining what it means to be African in a modern, globalized world.