Misplaced Pages

Sugarcane
EP by Tiwa Savage
Released	September 22, 2017 (2017-09-22)
Recorded	2017
Genre	Afropop funk house pop R&B trap
Length	20:00
Label	Mavin Records 323 Entertainment
Producer	Spellz Baby Fresh Maleek Berry P2J
Tiwa Savage chronology
R.E.D (2015) Sugarcane (2017) Celia (2020)
Singles from Sugarcane
"All Over" Released: April 2, 2017 "Ma Lo" Released: November 3, 2017

Sugarcane is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. It was released on September 22, 2017, by Mavin Records and 323 Entertainment. The EP features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Wizkid, Spellz, Baby Fresh, Maleek Berry and P2J. It explores themes of love and was recorded in English and Yoruba. Sugarcane was supported by the singles "All Over" and "Ma Lo". It was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Background

In an interview with The Fader magazine, Tiwa Savage said she did not have any plans to release Sugarcane. However, she decided to put out the project after recording so much music for her next album. Savage said she titled the EP Sugarcane because the songs sounded sweet to her. The album explores themes relating to love, including the journey of wanting love, needing love, finding love, and giving love. It is a mixture of Afropop, funk, house, pop, R&B and trap.

Composition

The title track "Sugarcane" is a tribute to a man with whom she has an admiration for. Wilfred Okiche described the song as "fun, fast and filthy". "All Over" depicts a sexually submissive woman; the song is composed of watered-down lyrics and evokes the need to dance. The highlife-inspired track "Ma Lo" is a torrid romance track. "Get it Now" has an African-infused homogenous sound. The Bubblegum pop track "Me and You" features dembow rhythm and draws comparisons to Beyonce's "XO". The P2J-produced track "Hold Me Down" contains a Bollywood-inspired riff.

Singles and other releases

The lead single, "All Over", was released on April 2, 2017. The Native's Debola Abimbolu said the song is essentially about Savage's romantic feelings and likened its hook to Kcee's "Tonight". The music video for "All Over" was filmed in Miami by Patrick Elis. In it, Savage is seen wearing an Ankara print bikini. In October 2017, Savage told Billboard magazine that the video was shot in four and a half hours.

The Wizkid-assisted track "Ma Lo" was released on November 3, 2017, as the second single. Directed by Meji Alabi, the accompanying music video for "Ma Lo" was filmed at the New Afrika Shrine. A 40-second teaser clip preceded its release. A Wizkid fan account shared behind-the-scenes clips of the video shoot on October 19, 2017. "Ma Lo" won Best Collabo at The Headies 2018.

On December 28, 2017, Savage released a colorful music video for the title track "Sugarcane", which was also directed by Meji Alabi. In the video, Savage dances against a colorful backdrop. On February 22, 2018, Savage released the music video for "Get It Now", which depicts a romance between the singer and a gym trainer. In March 2018, Savage released the Omarion-assisted remix of "Get It Now". The song's music video was directed by Meji Alabi and released in April 2018. It was filmed in a fast food restaurant and shows Savage and Omarion exchanging suggestive looks in the presence of their significant other.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Pulse Nigeria

Sugarcane received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jim Donnett of TooXclusive praised Savage's songwriting ability and said the EP embodies "traits of rawness and sincerity". A writer for Pulse Nigeria called Sugarcane "less a collection of songs and more a documentation of feelings". Reviewing for 360 Nobs, Wilfred Okiche said Savage "appears to have found her voice and niche" on Sugarcane.

Oris Aigbokhaevbolo of Music in Africa described the EP as "an efficient package selling all that has put Tiwa Savage on top of the female pop pile: sex appeal, controlled R&B vocal styling and an ease with certain kinds of production." In a review for OkayAfrica, Sabo Kpade commended Savage's songwriting efforts and said the EP has great replay value. The Native's Edwin Okolo praised Savage for embracing Afropop and said the genre "is the undercurrent that runs through the entire EP".

Accolades

Track listing

Notes

• "Me and You" contains background vocals by Maleek Berry.

Personnel

• Tiwatope Savage – primary artist, writer
• Ayodeji Balogun – featured artist, writer
• Ben’Jamin Obadje – featured artist, production (tracks 1, 6)
• Peter Jay – production (tracks 2, 4)
• Maleek Shoyebi – production (track 3)
• Sunday "Baby Fresh" Enejere – production (track 5)

Release history

References

1. Chidirim Ndeche (22 September 2017). "Tiwa Savage's EP "Sugarcane" Is Here!!!". Guardian Life. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
2. "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2018: Complete list of nominees". Music in Africa. 12 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
3. ^ Lakin Starling (September 21, 2017). "If You Forget What It Feels Like To Be In Love, Tiwa Savage Will Remind You With Her Sugarcane EP". The Fader. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
4. ^ Jim Donnett (October 11, 2017). "EP REVIEW: Tiwa Savage – 'SugarCane'". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
5. ^ Oris Aigbokhaevbolo (9 October 2017). "Sugarcane review: Tiwa Savage is still queen". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
6. ^ Wilfred Okiche (June 28, 2018). "EP Review: Sugarcane- Tiwa Savage". 360 Nobs. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
7. ^ Edwin Okolo (September 22, 2017). "ESSENTIALS: 'SUGARCANE' IS A RETURN TO FORM FOR TIWA SAVAGE". Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
8. "Tiwa Savage Reiterates Her Intimate Affair With 'Love' on Sugarcane EP". Culture Custodian. 27 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
9. ^ Sabo Kpade (September 29, 2017). "Tiwa Savage Delivers 6 Sweet Stalks of 'Sugarcane' In Her New EP". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
10. Marcus Brown (April 9, 2017). "Tiwa Savage – All Over (prod. BabyFresh)". TooXclusive. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
11. ^ Debola Abimbolu (May 22, 2017). "TIWA SAVAGE'S FIRST OFFICIAL SINGLE OF THE YEAR, "ALL OVER" GETS A VIDEO UPGRADE". Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
12. Bianca Alysse (October 9, 2017). "Tiwa Savage Talks 'Sugarcane' EP & Lessons Learned From Working With Mary J. Blige". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
13. "NEW VIDEO: Tiwa Savage Drops 'Malo' Featuring Wizkid". Channels TV. November 3, 2017. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
14. Daniel Orubo. "Tiwa Savage And Wizkid Turn Up At The New Afrika Shrine For 'Ma Lo' Video". Konbini Channels. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
15. Daniel Orubo. "Watch The Video Teaser For Tiwa Savage And Wizkid's 'Ma Lo'". Konbini Channels. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
16. "TIWA SAVAGE, WIZKID AND SPELLZ ARE SHOOTING A FIRE VIDEO FOR "MA LO"". MTV Base. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
17. Billy Praise (5 May 2018). "The HEADIES 2018: Full List Of Winners". Guardian Life. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
18. Damilola Animashaun. "Watch The Sweet & Colourful Video For Tiwa Savage's 'Sugarcane'". Konbini Channels. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
19. Debola Abimbolu (February 22, 2018). "TIWA SAVAGE HITS THE GYM FOR "GET IT NOW"". Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
20. "Get It Now (Remix) [feat. Omarion] - Single". iTunes. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
21. Debola Abimbolu (April 28, 2018). "TIWA SAVAGE SERVES HOT LOOKS IN HER VIDEO FOR "GET IT NOW" REMIX FEATURING OMARION". Native Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
22. "Tiwa Savage's offers romantic diabetes on "Sugarcane" EP". Pulse Nigeria. September 23, 2017. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.

• 2017 debut EPs
• Tiwa Savage albums
• Albums produced by Maleek Berry
• Albums produced by Spellz
• Yoruba-language albums
• Mavin Records EPs
• Albums produced by P2J
• Albums produced by Baby Fresh