4 Lessons From Tiwa Savage's Appearance at King Charles' Coronation

Tiwa Savage put up a world-class jazz-blues performance at King Charles' coronation concert in the UK last week. Here are some of the takeaways from her appearance at the event.

Tiwa Savage

1. This was a big deal for Tiwa

A video is on social media showing how excited she was. The cute lady was seen grooving backstage in elation, dressed in her performance garb while waiting to be called. 

2. 'Oyibo' crowned her the Queen of Afrobeats

Was this a justified title? Should she be so easily given that crown? Has she worked hard enough to earn it? Is that how easily baba Fela came up with the genre of Afro-music? Let's just take it that the host/MC of the coronation concert was just carelessly playing with words. This was the English king's coronation; the lady from a former British colony of Nigeria had to be considered a queen of some sort.

3. Notable Names turned down the opportunity

While Lionel Ritchie, Andrea Bocelli, Katy Perry, and others performed at the concert, and while this seemed to be a moment of relish to Tiwa Savage, a number of other top celebrities who were invited to perform at the event turned down the invitation. British A-listers like Sir Elton John, Adele, Ed Sheeran all turned down the opportunity to perform, along with other notable names. And the reasons given for declining were their tight schedules. 

There is however grapevine talk of these artistes' frosty relationships with the British Crown. Elton John, for example, had a close and complicated relationship with the woman who should sit as queen, but who died decades ago, Princess Diana. It is reported that since she died, Elton John had not had such a great relationship with Buckingham Palace.

This has led to a number of discussants calling Tiwa out for appearing at a show to entertain 'political enemies' in the frame of colonizers. 

4. Rehearsal is key

It was evident in Tiwa Savage's less than 5 minutes of singing that this was the handiwork of great production and proper rehearsals. Unlike the typical live shows that Nigerian artists are used to in Nigeria, this one had to be strictly timed - obviously scripted - with all the co-performers showing up at their spots on time and in rhythm. 

The blend of world music with the Yoruba percussive content worked so well as though the music was created in a laboratory. But even more beautifully, Tiwa did not disappoint. She brought on her singing prowess and spilled that beautiful voice through the right amount of riffs and runs, caressing the song as though she had sung it since childhood. The confidence, the style, and the aesthetics were nearly arrogantly delivered. 

Tiwa may not be the queen of Afro-beats, but she is certainly in the discussion whenever 21st-century African music is being discussed.