After years of silence, Afrobeat sensation Tiwa Savage has finally spoken about her long-standing feud with fellow singer Seyi Shay, setting the record straight on one of Nigeria’s most publicized celebrity rivalries. In a recent interview on Off Air with Gbemi O and Toolz, the Somebody’s Son hitmaker shared her side of the story, revealing that the fallout between them stemmed from a diss track and false rumours claiming she had tried to block other female artistes from getting deals and opportunities in the music industry.
Tiwa firmly denied the allegations, emphasizing that she has always been a strong advocate for women supporting women. According to her, she prefers to handle misunderstandings directly rather than pretending in public or addressing them online. “If someone does something to me, I’ll let you know. I won’t act like we’re fine in a salon when you’ve released a diss track about me,” she said, referencing the viral video of their 2021 salon confrontation that reignited their feud in the public eye.
Speaking further, Tiwa admitted that the accusations of “blocking bags” — slang for stopping others from earning opportunities — were deeply painful and confusing. “That really hurt because I didn’t know where it came from,” she said. “I even heard that Seyi and Victoria Kimani believed I blocked their money. But how? If anyone told you that, mention their name so I can address it. I would never do that. I’m pro-women and always have been.”
In a twist of irony, Tiwa revealed that she once lost a major endorsement deal to Seyi Shay years ago. At the time, she was pregnant with her son, Jamil, and was dropped from Pepsi’s Longer Throat campaign because she couldn’t bounce back quickly after childbirth. “Go back and check; Seyi was the brand ambassador, not me. I was taken off because I hadn’t recovered my body yet. So how could I be the one stopping someone else’s bag? I wasn’t even upset. I just hit the gym and got myself back,” she explained.
Tiwa also reflected on the viral salon incident that took place in 2021, which became one of the most talked-about celebrity moments that year. In the video, Tiwa confronted Seyi Shay after years of silent tension. While Seyi claimed she had tried to make peace, Tiwa maintained that she couldn’t pretend everything was fine when she felt disrespected. “I’m not fake. If there’s an issue, I’ll handle it privately, but I won’t act cool for the cameras when there’s unresolved tension,” she added.
Their strained relationship reportedly dates back to 2017, when Seyi Shay allegedly threw subtle shade at Tiwa during her verse in the viral Fvck You Challenge by Kizz Daniel. That moment, though brief, sparked years of quiet rivalry, public speculation, and divided fan bases between the two powerful Afrobeats voices.
Although Tiwa’s recent revelations reopen a story fans thought was long over, her tone during the interview suggested there might still be room for reconciliation someday. “Maybe I need to have a real conversation with Shay,” she hinted, reflecting on how rumours and industry politics often create unnecessary rifts among female artistes.
For now, both stars continue to excel in their respective music careers, but Tiwa Savage’s honesty has reignited public discussion about how gossip, competition, and media narratives often fuel conflicts in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Her openness offers fans a more human glimpse into the realities of fame — where success, pride, and vulnerability often collide behind the spotlight.