Once Upon a Time (Tiwa Savage album)

Background, recording, production, release and promotion

Once Upon a Time was initially scheduled for release in 2011, but problems with clearance made Tiwa Savage pushed back its release date. The album comprises nineteen tracks as well as two bonus tracks. Tiwa Savage named the album Once Upon a Time in order to portray the positive stories about her life. She wanted to motivate other upcoming artists by telling them that, once upon a time, she was a little girl in Isale Eko who dreamt of being a star. During an interview with Berklee College of Music's Brenda Pike, she hinted to possibly recording songs with Chuck Harmony, Warren Oak Felder, and So Sick (Da Grin). Moreover, she said that the album will embody pop, R&B, soul, and yoruba sounds.

On May 26, 2013, Tiwa Savage revealed the album's cover and track-listing during a private album listening party held at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos. The party was sponsored by 323 Entertainment, Mavin Records, Pepsi and Baileys. Guests in attendance included Banky W, Waje, Tunde Demuren, Eku Edewor, Dolapo Oni, Tosyn Bucknor, Noble Igwe, Osahon Asemota, Nwachukwu Uti, Linda Ikeji, DJ Spinall, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Lynxxx, N6, Ice Berg Slim, General Pype, IllRymz and Franca Asindi.

Singles

On November 4, 2010, 323 Entertainment released the album's debut single "Kele Kele Love". The music video for the song was shot and directed in Los Angeles by Jerry Chan. It was also co-directed by Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz.

On October 10, 2011, "Love Me (3x)" was released as the second single from the album. The music video for the song was shot and directed in Los Angeles by Sesan. "Love Me (3x)" was nominated for Best R&B Single at The Headies 2012. Tiwa won Best Female Vocal Performance at the aforementioned award.

On December 5, 2011, Tiwa Savage released the album's third single "Without My Heart" featuring Don Jazzy. The music video for the song was directed by Mark Hofmeyr. The single peaked at number 37 on Afribiz's Top 100 music chart. The music video for the single was nominated for Best African Act Video at the 2013 4Syte TV Music Video Awards. The music video was also nominated for Most Gifted Female Video at the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards. Furthermore, the song earned Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy a nomination at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards

On October 8, 2012, Tiwa Savage released the album's fourth single "Ife Wa Gbona" featuring recording artist Leo Wonder. The music video for the single was directed by Bolaji Kekere-Ekun. The song peaked at number 66 on Afribiz's Top 100 music chart. The music video for "Ife Wa Gbona" won Best Highlife and was nominated for Best Use of Costumes, Best Indigenous Concept and Video of the Year at the 2013 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA).

On December 13, 2012, "Folarin" was released as the album's fifth single. The song was produced by Spellz. On June 3, 2013, Tiwa Savage released the album's sixth single "Olorun Mi". Its music video was directed by George Guise. Tiwa Savage told Ebuka Obi-Uchendu of Channels TV's Rubbin' Minds that the song pays tribute to the Dana Plane Crash, Goldie Harvey and Justice Esiri.

"Eminado" was released as the seventh single from the album. In the aforementioned interview with Vanguard, Tiwa Savage was asked to describe the song. Her response was: "The sound and name is the handiwork of Don Jazzy. We got the idea when we were in the studio rehearsing. We were just playing around with words and sounds. So when it came up, we thought it was a good one and we decided to turn it into a song". The music video for the single was directed by Clarence Peters. It was released on November 4, 2013.

Other songs and releases

Tiwa Savage dedicated the song "Written All Over Your Face" to her fiance for the role he played in her life. The song has received few criticisms from people who felt that its lyrics are lewd and explicit. On May 27, 2014, 323 Entertainment and Mavin Records released the music video for "Wanted", which was directed by Moe Musa in London. The release of the video triggered an angry backlash among critics.

Critical response

Upon its release, Once Upon a Time was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Tayo Ayomide of Nigerian Entertainment Today gave the album a 4 out of 5, stating: "The strength of Tiwa Savage’s album is in her songwriting skill and the line-up of international producers who bring depth and range to the production on this album."

Ronke Adepoju of TayoTv gave the album an 8.75 out of 10, adding: "Tiwa showed her versatility by working with different artistes from different genres, from rap to high life, to reggae to R&B like herself. With the minimum help possible, she still managed to pull it off."

Hip Hop World Magazine gave the album a 4 out of 5, adding: "Despite the slight errors, Tiwa Savage’s debut effort in the Nigerian market was worth the wait. She has been able to produce an album that accommodates her song writing skill and pop ambitions."

At TooXclusive, Ogaga Sakpaide gave the album a 2.5 out of 5, noting: "Despite the involvement of different production “heavyweights” on the album, the total body of work lacks an actual identity (not forgetting the quite frankly unnecessary length), while it’s multiple genres makes it ‘Once Upon a Time’s Achilles’ heel and leaves it lacking the organic sound an album should possess."

Wilfred Okiche of YNaija said: "At 21 songs, there are just too many fillers, too much autotune, too much Don Jazzy and an over dependence on the gloss. One has to dig deep to find the real substance. It plays like Ms Savage is just pandering, surrendering to market dictates while throwing a bit of her true self in between."

Accolades

Once Upon a Time was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The album was also nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014.

Track listing