By Elizabeth Godwin
Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has revealed how a major image overhaul early in her solo career helped catapult her to fame – thanks, in part, to her ex-husband and former manager, Tunji “Teebillz” Balogun.
Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast with Joey Akan, Savage shared that her journey from tomboyish songwriter in Los Angeles to global music icon was shaped by a strategic rebranding masterminded by Teebillz.
In her early days, Savage recalled wearing baggy jeans and T-shirts, far from the bold, glamorous image she is known for today. When she returned to Nigeria to launch her solo career, Teebillz encouraged a complete transformation. “He told me I needed to lose weight, go to the gym, wax my eyebrows, wear wigs,” she said. “He rebranded me. I was a tomboy, and he saw something different for me.”
The reinvention came at a time when Savage was being rejected by major Nigerian labels like Mo’Hits, EME, and Storm Records. Teebillz’s vision helped reposition her in line with global icons like Beyoncé and Rihanna, making her a standout in a competitive industry. Still, the transition was met with resistance. Her 2014 Wanted video was banned on some TV stations, and critics labelled her too provocative.
Through it all, Savage said her manager Bizzle played a key role in keeping her motivated. “They said marriage made me irrelevant,” she recalled. “But that bold rebrand forced people to pay attention.”
Her story, widely reported across Nigerian media from June 21–23, 2025, offers insight into how image, resilience, and personal relationships helped redefine stardom in Afrobeats.
