Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has spoken out in defense of Tems after her name was left out of Afrobeats’ widely recognized top three artistes.
The phrase ‘Big 3’ is commonly used to describe Davido, Burna Boy, and Wizkid, who are often celebrated as Nigeria’s leading global music exports. However, Tiwa Savage has challenged the criteria behind this label, stressing that it overlooks the groundbreaking achievements of women in the genre.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra, she argued against the exclusion of female artistes from such recognition, insisting that Tems deserves a place among the top tier.
“Think about it, Certain types of artistes get paid more. So, they get the opportunity to spend more on influencers and radio play so you are going to hear their music way more.
“Also, I feel like it is unfair to have a conversation about the Top 3 and not mention someone like Tems. Are you serious?” tiwa Savage asked.
Tems rose to prominence in 2020 following her collaboration with Wizkid on the hit track ‘Essence’. She went on to win her first Grammy in 2023 for her contribution to ‘Wait For U’ and later secured her second Grammy in 2025 in the ‘Best African Performance’ category.
