Is Tiwa Savage the Queen of Afrobeats or Is There a Contender?

Afrobeats has been the musical equivalent of jollof rice: rich, spicy, and guaranteed to cause heated debates.

And in this cultural pot, Tiwa Savage has firmly positioned herself as the meat, succulent, flavourful and seemingly irreplaceable.

But as with any royal title, there are whispers in the palace corridors.

Is Tiwa Savage really the Queen of Afrobeats, or is there a secret usurper lurking in the shadows?

Let’s examine this battle for the throne.

Tiwa Savage: The Undisputed Monarch?

Tiwa Savage has been reigning supreme with the confidence of a monarch who knows her crown isn’t from AliExpress.

With a voice smoother than freshly pounded yam and charisma that could sell Amala to an Italian, she has cemented herself as a global icon.

From bangers like “Kele Kele Love” to collaborations with the likes of Beyoncé and Wizkid, her discography is basically a treasure chest of hits.

Tiwa’s ability to oscillate between love ballads and dancefloor anthems is what makes her the queen bee.

One minute she’s asking you to “save her love,” and the next, she’s making you dance like your rent depends on it.

But being queen isn’t just about hits; it’s about vibes, energy and dominance.

And Tiwa has those in abundance.

With her flawless stage performances and outfits that could make a mannequin feel underdressed, she rules not just Afrobeats but Instagram too.

Who Dares Challenge the Queen?

No kingdom is without its rebels and Afrobeats is no different.

Here are a few artists who might dare to side-eye Tiwa’s throne:

Yemi Alade – The Vocal Amazon

Yemi Alade has claimed the title of “Mama Africa,” which is basically the queen’s neighbor but with more cultural stamps in her passport.

Known for her energetic performances and songs like “Johnny,” Yemi has the kind of range that could make Mariah Carey give a polite nod.

However, while Yemi might dominate the Pan-African crowd, she’s yet to throw enough global punches to take the crown from Tiwa.

Tems – The Soulful Upstart

If Tiwa Savage is the queen, Tems is the princess everyone secretly roots for.

Her sultry voice and introspective lyrics have captured global attention and her feature on Wizkid’s “Essence” became the unofficial soundtrack for sipping cocktails by the beach.

However, Tems is more of a silent assassin, her music seduces you instead of commanding you to dance.

Can she snatch the crown with vibes instead of volume?

Ayra Starr – The Gen Z Lightning Bolt

Dubbed the “Celestial Being,” Ayra Starr is practically Tiwa Savage’s younger self with a TikTok account.

From “Bloody Samaritan” to “Rush,” she’s serving hits like it’s a buffet.

But royalty takes time to cultivate; Ayra might be a rising star, but she needs a few more years of jollof consistency to rival Tiwa’s stew supremacy.

The Case for the Throne

If Afrobeats were a wrestling match, Tiwa Savage is the reigning heavyweight champion who’s been holding the belt for over a decade.

Sure, there are contenders, but dethroning a queen isn’t child’s play, it’s a full-blown coup.

And right now, Tiwa Savage’s grip on the crown is tighter than Nigerians holding onto their jollof supremacy over Ghanaians.

However, this throne isn’t permanent.

The music industry evolves faster than Nigerians queueing for party food. One viral hit, one TikTok challenge or one international feature could turn a contender into the reigning queen.

Final Verdict

For now, Tiwa Savage is the undisputed Queen of Afrobeats, ruling her kingdom with the grace of a seasoned monarch and the swag of a Lagos big girl who knows her worth.

But the contenders are circling like hungry suya vendors at 2 a.m.

Will Tiwa hold onto her crown?

Or will the next generation come through with a remix that dethrones her?

One thing’s for sure.

Afrobeats wins either way.

So, whether you stan Tiwa, Yemi, Tems or Ayra, grab your headphones and dance like no one is watching, because the Queen of Afrobeats might change, but the vibe never will.