Tiwa Savage is by all means one of Nigeria’s most exciting female musical products, rising above her peers in a blaze of glory over the last six years. After churning out hit after hit, she has grabbed the attention of music industry watchers across the world. It is not surprising then that, this weekend, she is one of the two African music stars featured in the latest edition of Globacom-sponsored African Voices on CNN International.
The show comes up on CNN on Friday at 10.30 a.m., with repeat broadcasts at 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, and at 12.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Sunday. There are further repeats at 11.30 a.m. on Monday and at 5.30 a.m. on Tuesday.
CNN African Voices celebrates Africa’s influential talents in chosen disciplines especially those who are shaping the future of arts, science, education and business on the continent through their creativity, diligence, doggedness and vision, among many other noble qualities.
According to a statement by the sponsor, Globacom, Tiwa will feature on the programme beside Thandiswa Mazwai of South Africa.
Tiwa went to the University of Kent in the United Kingdom and came out with a degree in business administration and accounts. She later dumped Accounting for music when she went to do back-up for American singer Mary J. Blige.

She has also performed for internationally acclaimed artistes such as Chaka Khan, George Michael, Emma Bunton (Spice Girls), Blu Cantrell and Kelly Clarkson. She has worked with notable producers such as Black Eyed Peas drummer Keith Harris, Oak Warren Felder (Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown), Babyface and many others.

Nigeria’s Poster girl, Tiwa Savage made her first hit in 2010 with Kele Kele Love. Her other hit singles include Love, Love Me (3x), Without My Heart and Ife wa gbona.

Thandiswa Mazwai, on her part, is one of the most influential musicians in South Africa. Raised in South Africa’s bustling centre of African history and culture, Soweto, she is lead vocalist and songwriter for Bongo Maffin. Her parents were both journalists and anti-apartheid political activists and this added to influencing her artistic bent.
The heavy apartheid township violence of the 1980s, Thandiswa says, shaped her perspective as an artiste. She adds that her work has always been inspired by the writings of people like Steve Biko, Frantz Fanon, Chinua Achebe and Kwame Nkuruma.