Tiwa Savage & Tee-Billz: The Love Story

When word of Tiwa Savage‘s engagement to her manager, Tunji Balogun aka Tee Billz got out back inFebruary, not a few people were surprised at the development. For starters, the pair had on more than one occasion, denied the fact that they were even dating at all. Also, asides the fact that Tee Billz was Tiwa’s manager, very little was known about the groom-to-be.

But while Tiwa and fiancee, Tunji may have seemed like a sudden development, the couple actually have quite some history between them.

In the beginning…

Tiwa and Tee Billz like many lovers started their relationship on a platonic note. As a fresh returnee to Nigeria from the United States, Tiwa had in the past, stated that she was faced with a lot of discouragement and hostility from people who didn’t think her music style would fly in the still mostly conservative Nigerian clime. Enter Tee Billz….like a knight in shining amour, the 323 entertainment boss guided Tiwa Savage through the murky waters of the Nigerian entertainment industry, investing and believing in her where many failed to give her a chance.

In an interview which the Pepsi brand ambassador granted City People, she said: “When I didn't have any money, he was the one investing in me. Now it is easy to invest in Tiwa Savage because the brand is successful. He took a big risk investing time and money and people don’t realize that. You know he paid for my videos, paid for me to fly out here, paid for my dresses, my photo shoot and that is what made me who I am today.”

Tee Billz the Manager

But it wasn't always hearts and flowers for the duo. Tiwa also stated that it was initially a purely working relationship and wait for it…she even used to tease him about other girls, asking when he would get married! But as time went on and as they grew closer, they soon realized that there was something special which existed between them, prompting them to make their business very personal.

…And they ‘Came Out of the Closet’

For the longest time, Tiwa Savage was supposedly single and although she was romantically linked with some of the most eligible men in the Nigerian entertainment industry (Don Jazzy, Banky W, Lynxx to name a few), the beautiful songstress vehemently denied being romantically attached to ANYONE…until the Elite Model Look 2012 happened.

Tee Billz can’t resist his gorgeous lady love and steals a kiss right on the red carpet!

The duo who had succeeded in keeping their relationship under wraps hit the red carpet of the Elite Model Look 2012 and right in the middle of the photo session, Tee Billz planted a kiss on Tiwa’s cheek. Unexpectedly, the rum-our mills went agog after the image hit the public eye but the duo continued to deny they were dating. However, less than 6 months later they got engaged putting to rest the dating rumour once and for all.

The Engagement

On Tuesday 5th February, a day which also happened to be Tiwa’s 33rd birthday, Tee Billz shocked fans and industry watchers when he got down on one knee and proposed to Tiwa in the presence of friends, colleagues and well-wishers, promptly taking her out of the singles market and breaking the hearts of men around Nigeria and beyond.

Young, good-looking and very well-placed, Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz are shaping up to be one of Nigerian entertainment’s most influential showbiz couples and as they seal their union over the weekend, we at Pulse.ng wish them the very best!