Tiwa Savage partners with Berklee to launch music programme in Lagos, Nigeria

 

Tiwa Savage

Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has announced a new initiative aimed at empowering emerging African creatives through access, mentorship and world-class music education.

Taking to X, the award-winning singer revealed the launch of TSMF Official, a platform dedicated to supporting and nurturing the next generation of talent across the continent.

“After years of building globally… It’s time to build at home,” she wrote, signalling a renewed focus on investing in Nigeria and the wider African creative industry.

As part of the initiative, Savage announced that, for the first time, the prestigious Berklee College of Music will be coming to Lagos for the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program. 

The programme is designed to provide aspiring artists with direct access to high-quality music education, mentorship and industry insights.

The move marks a significant milestone, bringing one of the world’s leading music institutions to Nigeria and creating new opportunities for young African creatives to develop their craft at an international standard without leaving the continent.

Savage said the programme is focused on empowering Africa’s next generation of talent, reinforcing her commitment to giving back to the industry that shaped her career.

See more details below:

For the first time ever, Berklee comes to Lagos with the Tiwa Savage Intensive Music Program empowering Africa’s next generation of talent.

Apply Here - https://t.co/YndRfhRbIc#BerkleeTSMF pic.twitter.com/PMgOge3vTl

— Tiwa Savage Music Foundation (@TSMFOFFICIAL) February 25, 2026

Simi defends old daycare tweets, says they were misinterpreted

Simi

Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi has spoken out following renewed scrutiny over some of her social media posts from over a decade ago, insisting that the tweets were misinterpreted and unrelated to any improper conduct.

The controversy reignited after the singer voiced strong opinions against rape, sparked by conversations around the Mirabel TikToker case, which gained traction online. 

Simi condemned sexual violence, saying rapists should be punished and calling on men to stop assaulting women, noting that “almost every woman I know has been sexually assaulted.” 

Her statements triggered online debates, prompting critics to resurface her older tweets.

On Sunday, Simi took to social media to clarify her position.

 “I haven’t been on Twitter today – but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention and I can’t not address it,” she wrote.

The singer explained that the posts dated back to 2012, when she was living with her mother and helping out at her mother’s daycare while building her music career. 

“In 2012, I lived and helped out at my mom’s daycare while I was hustling my music. I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time,” she said.

Addressing the nature of the posts, Simi said they reflected casual observations about children at the daycare. 

“Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion.”

She also stressed that she would not allow her past comments to be “twisted” into false narratives.

“What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives,” she added.

Due to the sensitivity of the situation, some of the tweets have been removed. 

“My team has been deleting some of my tweets because of how sensitive it is for my family. To be honest, I did not want to,” Simi said.

Some of the posts that circulated online included a tweet from November 12, 2013, saying, “I wonder if anyone’s ever used breast milk to bake cake before,” as well as others referencing children at the daycare, such as: “David has a crush on me. He kips comn close; actin lik he wana lock lips n den he puts his head on my lap. Shd I giv him a chance? P.S: Hes 4” and “love to kiss d kids at my mum’s daycare, they’re super adorable and I’m crazy abt ’em.”

Responding to the resurfaced tweets, Simi insisted the remarks were never intended to suggest anything inappropriate.

 “I’ve never been depraved in my life,” she wrote.

She reiterated her long-standing stance against sexual violence, highlighting that her recent statements were consistent with her beliefs. 

“I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault, even before you knew I existed. It’s not a costume I’m wearing, it’s who I am. I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve never claimed to know everything. I said stop raping women. I stand by it.”

Fido breaks silence with heartfelt apology, promises growth and deeper music

Fido

Nigerian fast-rising star Fido has publicly apologised following recent controversy, admitting that fame came faster than he was prepared for and that he mishandled certain moments along the way.

In a lengthy statement shared on social media, the Afrobeats act acknowledged that stardom changed his life almost overnight, and that he struggled to keep up internally while the world watched his rapid ascent.

“There’s no easy way to write this, so I’ll just say it plainly. I messed up,” he began. 

“Stardom came into my life quickly. One minute I was dreaming about it, the next minute I was living it. And while the world was watching me grow, I was still trying to understand who I was inside that growth.”

Though Fido did not go into specifics about the incident that sparked backlash, he admitted that ego, excitement and inexperience played a role in his actions.

“Along the way, I made mistakes. I said things that should never have been said. I allowed ego, excitement, and inexperience to influence some of my decisions. That’s not who I want to be. And it’s not who I’m becoming.”

He extended a direct apology to his supporters and the wider Afrobeats community, including pioneers of the genre.

“To my fans, the ones who stream the music, defend me, pray for me, and believe in me, I am sorry. To the global Afrobeats community, the legends and godfathers who opened these doors before me, my colleagues and everyone who felt disappointed by my words or actions, I apologise. Truly.”

Fido framed the moment as a turning point, describing it as a choice between pride and humility.

“There are moments in life when you either double down on pride or you humble yourself and grow. I chose to step back. I chose to listen. I chose to reflect.”

He added, “It takes strength to admit you were wrong. It takes maturity to retrace your steps. I’m doing both.”

The singer assured fans that he is taking the lessons seriously and entering a new phase with a different mindset. “The man walking into this next chapter is more grounded, more aware, and more respectful of the platform he’s been given,” he wrote, promising that his upcoming music will come from “a deeper place. A more honest place. A more grateful place.”

Closing his message, Fido thanked those who held him accountable rather than cancelling him, as well as those who chose to stand by him.

“This is growth. This is maturity. This is me doing better. It’s game time again.”

Billboard ranks Rema among 21st century one-hit wonders

Rema makes Billboard’s one-hit wonder list 

Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema has been included in Billboard’s 2026 list of “The 25 Biggest One-Hit Wonders of the 21st Century.”

The ranking, released in early 2026, looks back at artists whose songs achieved major commercial success in the United States but whose follow-up releases failed to replicate similar impact on the U.S. charts. 

In Rema’s case, the recognition is tied to his 2022 smash hit “Calm Down,” particularly the remix featuring Selena Gomez.

“Calm Down” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart, becoming one of the most-streamed Afrobeats tracks globally. 

The record not only expanded Rema’s reach in America but also cemented his place as one of the genre’s biggest crossover success stories.

However, Billboard’s classification focuses strictly on U.S. chart metrics. 

The publication describes the list as a retrospective of artistes whose single tracks reached significant commercial heights but did not match that level of chart performance in subsequent American releases.

Beyond the U.S., Rema’s catalogue tells a different story. 

Songs like “Dumebi,” “Iron Man,” “Woman,” and “Soundgasm” have racked up hundreds of millions of streams and charted across Africa and Europe. 

His debut album, Rave & Roses, reached the Top 10 on the UK Albums Chart, and he has collaborated with international acts such as Chris Brown on “F4F” and 6lack on “Running.”

The singer has also graced major global stages, including Coachella in the United States and Wireless Festival in the United Kingdom, underscoring his international appeal.

As of now, the Afrobeats star has not publicly responded to Billboard’s ranking, but the conversation it has sparked points to a broader tension between traditional chart success and the realities of global music influence.

Davido, Ayra Starr, and Burna Boy lose to Tyla at the Grammy 2026

South African superstar Tyla has once again outshone Africa’s biggest names on the global stage after clinching the Best African Music Performance award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, beating heavyweights Davido, Ayra Starr and Burna Boy.

The singer, born Tyla Laura Seethal, won the category with her hit single Push 2 Start, marking her second Grammy victory in as many appearances. 

She previously made history in 2024 with Water, becoming the first artist to ever win the newly introduced category. This latest triumph now makes her the first act to take home the award twice.

The ceremony, held in Los Angeles, came shortly after Tyla celebrated her 24th birthday, adding a personal milestone to an already remarkable career moment for the South African star.

Tyla edged out stiff competition from Burna Boy’s Love, Davido and Omah Lay’s With You, Ayra Starr and Wizkid’s Gimme Dat, as well as Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin’s Hope & Love, underlining her growing dominance in the African and global music scene.

Released on 11 October 2024, Push 2 Start became one of Tyla’s standout records and served as the lead single for TYLA +, the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut album. 

The song highlighted her signature “Popiano” sound, a polished fusion of Amapiano, pop and R&B that has come to define her artistry.