Afrobeats icon Tiwa Savage has stirred up conversation once more, this time by challenging the entrenched “Big 3” label commonly applied to Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido.
In a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, she made it clear that the issue isn’t with the artists themselves, but with the narrative that sidelines the rest of Africa’s vast musical talent. She expressed frustration that, despite Afrobeats being a genre with expansive talent across many countries, media and fan discourses often narrow attention to just three male superstars.
Over time, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido have become widely regarded as the face of Afrobeats globally because of their chart-topping hits, streaming numbers, award wins, and international partnerships. Media outlets, streaming platforms, and many fans have adopted the “Big 3” framing as shorthand, often as a way to signify “top-tier artist” in Afrobeats. But the shorthand carries consequences.
Why the Label Can Be Limiting
The label tends to reduce visibility for artists who also contribute significantly to the genre but don’t always get global press or massive marketing push. It also create a gender imbalance, as female artists and those outside of West Africa, for instance, may find their work underrepresented or overlooked.
By focusing only on a few, the richness of sound, lyrics, regional styles, and collaborations in Afrobeats can be neglected.
Why Tiwa’s Pushback Is Resonating
Many listeners and arts commentators have voiced fatigue over repetitive debates about who is bigger among the “Big 3” rather than exploring newer or regional acts. As the genre expands in Africa and beyond, from East Africa to the diaspora, there are more deserving voices with growing followings, unique stories, and crossover potential.
Artists like Tems and Yemi Alade have made inroads globally, challenging old male-dominated power dynamics in mainstream Afrobeats. Tiwa’s voice adds weight to their claims for recognition.
Tiwa Savage’s message isn’t about tearing down the “Big 3,” but about elevating the many others who are building Afrobeats, note by note, show by show so the world sees and hears them too.
