Nigerian Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage has launched the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation to discover and develop emerging African music talent [1].
The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between raw talent and professional success by providing world-class education to creators who often lack formal training. By establishing a structured pathway for songwriters and producers, the foundation aims to strengthen the global competitiveness of African music [1, 2].
Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the foundation operates through a strategic educational partnership with the Berklee College of Music in Boston, U.S. [1, 4]. This collaboration allows the organization to implement high-level academic standards within the local creative ecosystem. The partnership focuses on empowering the next generation of artists through mentorship and technical skill development [2, 3].
As part of its initial programming, the foundation will provide a four-day intensive training programme [2]. This curriculum is designed to provide rapid, high-impact skill acquisition for participants. The foundation intends to train 100 next-generation creators through these initiatives [1].
Savage, who is 46, is using her international platform to create these opportunities [1]. The foundation's scope extends beyond vocalists to include the technical architects of the music industry, specifically targeting producers and songwriters who are essential to the Afrobeats sound [1, 4].
By centering the operation in Lagos, the foundation leverages the city's position as a primary hub for contemporary African music. The integration of Berklee's pedagogy with local talent is intended to create a sustainable pipeline of professional musicians capable of navigating the global industry [1, 2].
“The foundation intends to train 100 next-generation creators.”
The partnership between a global superstar and a prestigious US institution like Berklee marks a shift toward the formalization of music education within the Afrobeats genre. By institutionalizing mentorship and technical training, the foundation aims to transition African music from a talent-driven export to a professionally structured industry with standardized educational benchmarks.
