TIWA SAVAGE: 5 Things Female Artistes Can Learn From The Mavins First Lady

Tiwa's journey to the top wasn't entirely without its fair share of bumps. Over time though, she's managed to win hearts over and today she's one of the most influential female artists.

Mavin First Lady, Tiwa Savage is arguably Nigeria's most successful female artiste. With several local and international awards in her kitty, a couple of juicy endorsements and a nice man to call her own (with a baby on the way), Tiwa is pretty much winning.

But like every success story, Tiwa's journey to the top wasn't entirely without its fair share of bumps. When she first arrived on the Nigerian music scene in 2010, many were sceptical about her style with some describing her as overtly sexy. Over time though, she's managed to win hearts over and today she's huge enough to have this entire article written about her.

So what is it about Tiwa Savage that catapulted her to the top? Plus are there lessons other females artistes could glean from the "Mr Darling" singer? There certainly are, check them out.

1. Surround yourself with the right people: The right team is key for any successful project, and the former Miss  Savage clearly understands this. Early on, Tiwa was smart enough to align herself with ace producer Don Jazzy and in 2012 she was signed on as Mavin Records First Lady. Today Mavins has gone on to become one of the most influential record labels on the scene and Tiwa is the happier for it.
2. Know your craft: It's not enough that Tiwa can actually sing or like Vector put it, "Tiwa can harmonise her breathing", Tiwa actually studied music. After getting her first degree in Business Administration from the University of Kent, Tiwa's passion drove her to enrol at the Berklee College of Music in the United States earning a degree in music. Her songwriting abilities also led her to sign a deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing working with the likes Babyface, Mya, Monicaand Fantasia Barrino whose album which featured a track Tiwa wrote was nominated for a Grammy award. Moral of the story? Have a thorough understanding of your craft. This is not to say everyone must enrol in music school, however it's important that artistes constantly improve on themselves rather than be content with status quo. That way, you're not only a better artiste but also open to bigger opportunities
3. Personality is everything: In a recent interview with Pulse, alternative soul singer, Bez remarked on the significance of a great personality as an artiste. According to him, you need personality to sell the music, and we couldn't agree more. With her sunny smile and charming disposition, Tiwa has been able to warm her way into the hearts of fans across the world. Our point - divalicious, catty attitude has no place in the industry. It'll only be a clog in your wheel of progress.
4. Be the master of the stage: Between her interesting stage outfits and performances, Tiwa manages to hold the attention of the audience whenever she's on stage. Now any good entertainer worth their salt knows that this is no mean feat, it's also a sure-fire way to build a fan base.
5. Stay silent: In times when celebrities engage in cyber fights and generally make careless statements, Tiwa stays largely quiet. This is not to say she never makes statements, however the trick is knowing when to stay quiet and when to reply scathing comments