Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage has finally broken her silence on her long-running feud with fellow Nigerian singer Seyi Shay, offering fresh insight into one of the most talked-about rifts in the Nigerian music industry.

Speaking during a recent episode of “Off Air with Gbemi O and Toolz,” the “Somebody’s Son” hitmaker opened up about the origins of their 2021 salon confrontation, the rumours that fueled it, and how false accusations nearly damaged her reputation. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

“It Started from a Diss Track and Gossip” — Tiwa Savage

Tiwa revealed that the feud stemmed from a diss track and persistent rumours suggesting that she was intentionally sabotaging other female artistes in the industry.

She firmly denied these claims, stressing that she has always been a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and collaboration among female musicians.

“I heard that they thought I blocked their bag. How? If you’ve heard from anybody that I tried to block your bag, mention the person so I can address it,” she said during the interview.

According to Tiwa, the allegations that she deliberately prevented Seyi Shay and Victoria Kimani from landing gigs or endorsement deals were baseless and hurtful.

Tiwa Savage Sets the Record Straight on “Blocked Bags”

Tiwa recounted how the rumours of her “blocking people’s bags” were particularly painful because she had actually lost opportunities herself to other artistes in the past.

She referenced an incident from 2017, when she was replaced by Seyi Shay in a major brand campaign after taking maternity leave following the birth of her son, Jamil.

“I was taken off the Pepsi campaign when I had Jamil, and Shay was booked for it. So how am I stopping anyone’s bag?” she explained.

Her statement served as a direct rebuttal to years of speculation suggesting that she had used her influence to block other female musicians from thriving in the male-dominated industry.

The Viral 2021 Salon Clash

The feud between Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay came to a dramatic head in June 2021, when the two singers got into a heated confrontation at a Lagos salon.

The altercation, which was captured on video and quickly went viral, showed Tiwa accusing Seyi Shay of being “fake” after the latter attempted to greet her amicably.

The viral clip sparked widespread debate on social media, with fans, celebrities, and industry insiders taking sides. Many viewed the clash as a reflection of longstanding tension and competition between female artistes in Nigeria’s Afrobeats scene.

Though Seyi Shay later claimed she had tried to reconcile with Tiwa prior to the confrontation, Tiwa’s new revelations suggest that the misunderstanding was rooted in deep-seated mistrust and industry gossip that had been building for years.

“I Don’t Compete with Women — I Celebrate Them”

Throughout the interview, Tiwa Savage emphasized that she has always strived to uplift other women in the entertainment space rather than compete with them.

She highlighted her numerous collaborations with female artistes across Africa and beyond, including Ayra Starr, Tems, and Brandy, as proof of her commitment to collaboration over rivalry.

“I’ve never been the type to stop anyone’s progress. If anything, I want more women to win because it makes our movement stronger,” she said.

Fans React: Hope for Reconciliation

Following Tiwa’s candid comments, fans have taken to social media to praise her for speaking her truth and showing maturity about the issue.

One fan wrote:

“This is the kind of honesty we need in the industry. Tiwa handled that with grace.”

Another commented:

“At the end of the day, these two queens contributed a lot to Afrobeats. I hope they eventually make peace and even do a song together.”

A Lesson in Grace and Growth

Despite the past animosity, Tiwa Savage’s revelations appear to mark a turning point — not just for her relationship with Seyi Shay, but also for the perception of female unity in Afrobeats.

By confronting the rumours head-on and clarifying her side of the story, Tiwa reminded fans and critics alike that even in a competitive industry, respect, clarity, and truth remain essential.

As she continues to dominate the global music scene with chart-topping hits and groundbreaking performances, Tiwa’s story serves as a lesson in resilience, integrity, and the power of letting go.