Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has said that the record label an artist is signed to plays a major role in their mental health and overall wellbeing.
The award winning artist made this known during a recent appearance on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast hosted by Joey Akan, where she reflected on her experience in the music industry and the differences between local and international record labels.
Tiwa Savage explained that she only fully understood the importance of emotional support within a record label after leaving Mavin Records, where she was previously signed.
According to her, her time at Mavin felt like a family environment where she could openly share her struggles with label boss Don Jazzy and fellow artists.
“Who you signed to is very important and I didn’t appreciate it until after I left Mavin. Whenever there’s a controversy online I’d run to Don Jazzy’s room, sit on the floor or bed with other Mavin acts and we would talk about it. I would cry if I had to cry and we would get through it,” she said.
She contrasted that experience with her current international label, noting that such emotional support is less available.
“But being with a foreign label, they don’t really care about your personal stuff. I can’t really go to the office and cry. I miss that part,” she added.
Tiwa Savage emphasized that artists should carefully consider whether a record label genuinely cares about their wellbeing or simply views them as commercial assets.
She joined Mavin Records in 2012 and left in 2019 after signing with Universal Music Group, though she has repeatedly described Mavin as family despite her departure.
Her comments have sparked conversations about mental health support structures within the music industry and the pressures faced by entertainers.
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