6th September, 2019
Tiwa Savage’s new song 49-99 is one which portrays the poverty level in Nigeria and the Universal Music Group artiste is using her creative ability to change the narrative.
In the lyrics the songstress sings ”49 sitting 99 standing oh my God o I get money before no be property o Waiting for danfo waiting for uber and okada Omo no be so, me I want to live o”
Tiwa promotes skill acquisition for women as she is seen trying to sew clothes with other ladies, since the mom of one doesn’t want to live in lack, but intends to make plenty money. Tiwa’s personality in the song sends a strong message to everyone who is still doubting that she’s the boss.
”49-99 is a phrase coined by Fela Kuti who is the godfather of afrobeat and it is a transit bus in Nigeria called the ”Molue” where you have 49 seats but you have twice as many people standing and which is a reflection again of the poverty in Nigeria where the rich is getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, so that’s what the song means, we are suffering and smiling” she disclosed .
She also revealed that she and Wizkid being lovey dovey in ”Fever” song was just a video and Wizzy is one of her best friends in the industry.
The 39 year old further said she blocked Zlatan Ibile on her social media because of a statement he made on his Instagram live, where a friend asked if he wanted to ”F” Tiwa and then he said no i wanted to eat her. The duo have since squashed their beef, as we can see from their collaboration ”Shotan”
Same thing also goes for Yemi Alade, whom Tiwa categorically mentioned, during the interview as one of the female artiste breaking boundaries in a male dominated environment. The two ladies once had bad blood between them and we are glad all that’s been put behind them.
Coming down to the present crisis between Nigeria and South Africa, the songwriter says South Africans probably have nothing, that is why they are stoning people to death.
Watch the full interview by Oldmanebro on Beats 1, a 24/7 music radio station owned and operated by Apple Inc and located in London, Los Angeles and New York.
Although 49 + 49 =89, we guess 99 syncs better and so mama Jam jam stuck with 49 99. And this will be Tiwa’s first single under UMG.