The Internet, Rumors & Tiwa Savage

The recent episode of the OffAir Show featuring Nigerian music superstar Tiwa Savage, dubbed the "African Bad Girl", offered a detailed dissection of celebrity dynamics, focusing heavily on public perception, ongoing industry feuds, and critical health awareness campaigns. Hosts Gbemi and Toolz opened the discussion by noting the challenging behavior of artists like Kanye West. They reflected on West's trajectory from a "music genius" whose production style was impeccable, to a figure whose actions have "soiled everything," culminating in the release of a "traitors list" that included his own child. The hosts questioned West’s lack of a conservatorship, especially when compared to the strict controls imposed on other figures like Wendy Williams and Britney Spears, noting that Williams is still fighting her situation years later. Observations were made regarding West’s volatile nature, referencing stories like Chris Brown’s account of West’s alleged spontaneous 30 to 45-minute rants at a club, and a clip showing him screaming at Kris Jenner without her flinching, suggesting Kim Kardashian must have endured immense difficulties behind the scenes. The discussion briefly touched on the history of artists surrounding Jay-Z, mentioning allegations that Damon Dash may have dated Beyoncé and Jay-Z potentially dated Aaliyah.

A significant portion of the conversation was dedicated to the ongoing rivalry in female rap, comparing Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. While Nicki Minaj is widely regarded as the technically superior rapper, the hosts and Tiwa Savage expressed a greater preference for Cardi B's likability and down-to-earth personality. Cardi B was lauded for her vigorous and humorous promotion of her recent album, including dressing like a Jamaican and physically selling copies on the streets of New York. Conversely, Nicki Minaj's perpetual feuds with numerous peers, including Mariah Carey, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Kim, and even Jay-Z, led the hosts to suggest that she might be "the problem". This pattern of conflict spanning over 20 people in public has affected her likability, leading to the hosts characterizing her recent behavior as akin to a "final year of university" student fighting with someone in "nursery too".

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The Internet, Rumors & Tiwa Savage

The interview with Tiwa Savage provided deep insight into her professional and personal evolution. Tiwa revealed that her latest project, This Is One Is Personal, was named unintentionally after realizing how deeply truthful and experience-based every line was, making it her most connected project in terms of audience reception. Regarding her musical past, while she acknowledged her "pop Ti" era (e.g., "Kele Kele Love") was a "good era," she admitted to cringing at the lyrics now, preferring her current phase. Tiwa made headlines by stating frankly that she does not believe she has received her due "flowers" from the industry, choosing instead to focus on the community and garden she has built herself. This sentiment ties into her experiences with harsher judgment as a female artist, and her feeling of being disrespected when the Billboard Top 50 Afrobeats Songs of all-time list failed to include her own solo hits, featuring her only as a collaborator.

The singer addressed two persistent career narratives: public controversy and industry gatekeeping. She shared that her famous decision to wear a flesh-toned bodysuit for a video after getting married was deliberate, done to push back against critics who declared her career "over". She condemned the hypocrisy of Nigerians, whom she described as "closeted pervers" who criticize her dressing choices publicly yet privately seek out more explicit images in her DMs. Perhaps the most startling moment came when Tiwa reacted to a revelation from fellow artist Seyi Shay, who suggested their infamous rift may have originated because Shay’s assistant was allegedly involved with Tiwa Savage’s ex-husband. Tiwa vehemently denied ever blocking another woman's career or "bag," citing her own experience of being removed from a Pepsi campaign while pregnant (which Shay was subsequently booked for). She explained that while she actively collaborates with and promotes female artists (like Yadi, Simi, Waj, and Ayra), those efforts often go unsupported by gatekeepers and fans, perpetuating the false narrative that she dislikes her female counterparts. On the personal front, she stated her dating requirement for a partner to have money, echoing Tracy Ellis Ross's quote: "I'm high maintenance but I can maintain myself".

The episode concluded with a crucial public service announcement in partnership with Bella Naija for the #stopHPVforher campaign. The hosts emphasized that over 95% of cervical cancer cases are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), making regular smear tests and vaccination vital for prevention. They stressed that even though the smear test may be uncomfortable, the discomfort is minute compared to the prevention of abnormal cells developing into cancer, a process that can take years. Dispelling myths, they confirmed that HPV can be contracted even with one partner and is carried by men, causing other cancers like throat and anal cancer. The vaccine is highly effective, preventing up to 90% of cervical cancers, and was officially integrated into Nigeria's national routine immunization in October 2023, offered free to 9-year-old girls. Finally, the show offered financial advice from Money Point, advising viewers to "send, spend, and save," suggesting individuals pay utilities ahead for the first three months of the new year to better manage the financial strain of January.