Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage left fans emotional and cheering wildly on Sunday night as she paused her electrifying performance at the Meltdown Festival in London to pay a heartwarming tribute to her former English teacher.
The “Somebody’s Son” crooner was performing as part of the iconic Little Simz-curated Meltdown Festival when she suddenly spotted a familiar face in the audience — her secondary school English teacher.
In a now-viral video that has flooded social media platforms, Tiwa Savage was seen halting the music and walking offstage directly toward the audience while shouting, “This is my English teacher!” With wide smiles, the singer embraced the elderly man warmly and exchanged a few words with him as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Tiwa’s impromptu recognition of her teacher not only drew applause but also drew attention to the power of mentorship and lasting impact teachers have on their students. The viral moment, captured by fans on their phones, has since ignited online conversations, with many Nigerians and fans abroad praising the singer for her humility and sense of gratitude.
The heartwarming moment comes at a time when Tiwa Savage has been trending for other reasons, particularly involving her personal life. Just days earlier, her estranged husband, Tunji Balogun — popularly known as Tee Billz — called her out on social media for allegedly neglecting their son, Jamil.
Tee Billz, in a fiery Instagram post, accused Tiwa’s manager of overbooking her, claiming she barely spends quality time with her child. The singer, however, has remained publicly silent on the matter, choosing instead to focus on her performances and recent professional milestones.
Following the concert, celebrities and fans alike took to social media to commend the singer’s public acknowledgment of her teacher. Several users praised her emotional intelligence and respect for her educational roots, with one user posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Now that’s class! Tiwa Savage pausing her show for a teacher? More respect to her name!”
Others drew comparisons between Tiwa’s respectful gesture and the often frosty relationship some celebrities have with their humble beginnings.
This moving encounter is yet another chapter in Tiwa Savage’s soaring international journey. With multiple hits under her belt and global collaborations with artists like Sam Smith and Brandy, the Nigerian singer has cemented her position as one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
Her presence at the Meltdown Festival, one of London’s most culturally significant music festivals curated by high-profile artists, is testament to her staying power and wide appeal. Her performance — though briefly interrupted — was hailed as one of the night’s most memorable.
While Tiwa continues to face scrutiny from ex-husband Tee Billz and the ever-watchful Nigerian media space, her show of grace, humility, and respect for the people who helped shape her continues to win hearts. Industry insiders say that despite the noise, Tiwa is gearing up for a new album release and several global appearances later this year.
Her moment of gratitude on Sunday has reminded fans that beyond the fame, lights, and controversies, Tiwa Savage remains deeply connected to her roots — and to those who helped write the first chapters of her success story.