Nigerian Singer Tiwa Savage's Film 'Water and Garri' Tops Charts

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Tiwa Savage took to X to share a message commemorating the triumph of the film.

Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has announced that her latest feature film, Water and Garri, is currently trending at the number one spot in charts across 14 countries within Africa and globally.

 Tiwa, known by her full name Tiwatope Omolara Savage, shared her excitement on X, expressing gratitude to the WAG (Water And Garri) family worldwide for their overwhelming love and support. The film is available for streaming on Prime Video.

Water and Garri, a collaboration between Tiwa Savage and Nigerian filmmaker Jimi Adesanya, made its debut on Prime Video on Friday, May 10, 2024. Tiwa has revealed that the film is making waves in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Rwanda, Togo, Georgia, Zambia, Cyprus, Uganda, Ukraine, Tanzania, Qatar, and South Africa.

The storyline revolves around Aisha, portrayed by Savage, an ambitious fashion designer who returns to her hometown in the wake of escalating violence and tension. Directed by Meji Alabi, the film was filmed in Cape Coast, Ghana, and features Mike Afolarin, Andrew Bunting, and Jemima Osunde.

Although renowned for her Grammy-nominated vocals, Tiwa Savage revealed to the BBC Focus on Africa podcast her long-standing aspiration for acting.

"I now have immense respect for actors. It involves enduring long hours and immersing yourself in another persona for extended periods," she expressed.

She admitted to the BBC that the journey was far from "easy".

Yet, Tiwa Savage infused the character with elements of both herself and her mother.

"She suppresses a lot internally, and one day, she might just burst," she reflected.

In addition to her acting role, Tiwa served as an executive producer for the film.

She recounted scrutinizing over 200 edits before reaching the final version.

"It was an arduous process," she remarked.

While the film draws from her 2021 EP of the same name, Tiwa Savage initially conceived it as a music video. However, the quality of the footage during filming prompted the transition to a full-length feature.

However, she opted not to include the EP's music in the film, citing a shift in her artistic mindset.

Instead, Tiwa began composing new tracks during filming, completing the film's score within a week.

The soundtrack features collaborations with other Nigerian luminaries like Olamide and Grammy-nominated singer Ayra Starr.

While the movie boasts breathtaking cinematography, an electrifying soundtrack, and Tiwa Savage's compelling performance, its essence lies in the theme of nostalgia.

"Water and garri evoke a sense of nostalgia. It was a staple in our upbringing," she reminisced.

She mused on the peculiar combination of processed cassava and water, noting that together, they create something unexpectedly beautiful.