Wanted (Tiwa Savage song)

"Wanted"
Song by Tiwa Savage
from the album Once Upon a Time
LanguageEnglish
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:30
LabelMavin Records
Songwriter(s)Tiwa Savage and Tiffany Fred
Producer(s)Warren "Oak" Felder

"Wanted" is a song by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage from her debut studio album, Once Upon a Time (2013). The song was produced by American producer Warren "Oak" Felder and samples the memorable line "out in the streets/they call it murder" from Damian Marley's 2005 single "Welcome to Jamrock". The Moe Musa-directed music video for "Wanted" was released on 27 May 2014.[1] Its release prompted a huge public backlash across various social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.[2]

Music video

Background

"[Being sexual] is something we're comfortable with behind closed doors but very uncomfortable with in public. But, fortunately, as artists we have the platform to do things that a lot of people might not be able to do. I felt like I was at a stage in my life at which I was very comfortable in my skin."

— Tiwa Savage, on her decision to release the music video.[3]

The accompanying music video for "Wanted" was filmed by Moe Musa. It was released on May 27, 2014 and ran for 3 minutes and 31 seconds.[4] In the video, Savage is seen wearing a nude body suit and mimicking the sexual act of fingering. Throughout the video, she writhed sensually and performed erotically-charged dance moves.[5] In an interview with The Times, Savage said she was content with her figure at the time she posted the video. In addition, she declared her intention to pursue the adult market and explore her life as a woman.[6]

Reception

Cultural reception to the music video was mixed. Critics who opposed the video argued that Nigerian artists shouldn't emulate sexual images often seen in western media at the expense of tarnishing the morality of the Nigerian culture.[7][8] Conversely, those in support of the video praised its sexual nature and stance on sexual empowerment. Social critic Charles Novia bluntly described the video as “stupid art”, while public figures such as Uti Nwachukwu, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi, Dr SID and Toolz described it as brilliant.[9][10]

In a negative review, an editor for The Sun said the video lacks originality and called it "utterly unoriginal, desperately copycat-ish and incredibly boring."[5]

Live performances

Alongside her former labelmates Dr SID, Di'Ja, Korede Bello, and Reekado Banks, Savage performed "Wanted" during the Road to the MAMAs concert in June 2014.[11] She also performed the song at the 2014 edition of Africa Unplugged, alongside Davido and Diamond Platnumz.[12]

Accolades

"Wanted" earned Savage a nomination for Best Vocal Performance (Female) at The Headies 2014.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Photos/Video: Tiwa Savage's Most Raunchy Video Finally Out". Osun Defender. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  2. ^ Owoseje, Toyin (28 May 2014). "Tiwa Savage Wanted Video: Singer's Super Sexy Promo Causes Backlash". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Tiwa Savage: "Why I Got Raunchy in 'Wanted' Video"". Osun Defender. Times Live. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  4. ^ Klein, Alyssa (30 May 2014). "Tiwa Savage's Divisive 'Wanted' Video". Okay Africa. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Tiwa Savage's Wanted: Utterly unoriginal, incredibly boring". The Sun. 13 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  6. ^ Ndlovu, Andile (9 June 2014). "Too hot to be stopped by savage backlash". Times Live. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  7. ^ Novia, Charles (20 June 2014). "Wanted: Leaving cultural values in arts?". National Mirror. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  8. ^ "More outcries over Tiwa Savage's raunchy video". Vanguard. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  9. ^ Ebhomele, Eromosele (30 May 2014). "Tiwa Savage's New Video Causes Ripples". P.M News. Archived from the original on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  10. ^ "Knocks, kudos for Tiwa Savage's new video". Punch. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  11. ^ Arogundade, Funsho (4 June 2014). "Tiwa Savage Goes Raunchy Again". P.M. News. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  12. ^ Onibada, Ade (16 September 2014). "Review: Africa Unplugged". Young Voices. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  13. ^ Ochugba, Mary (10 October 2014). "The Headies unveils 2014 nominees". Business Day. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.