Sugarcane (EP)

In an interview with The Fader magazine, Savage said she did not have any plans to release Sugarcane.{{cite web |author1=Lakin Starling |title=If You Forget What It Feels Like To Be In Love, Tiwa Savage Will Remind You With Her Sugarcane EP |url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/09/21/tiwa-savage-sugarcane-ep-premiere |publisher=The Fader |accessdate=26 April 2019 |date=September 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426031059/https://www.thefader.com/2017/09/21/tiwa-savage-sugarcane-ep-premiere |archive-date=26 April 2019 |url-status=live }} However, she decided to put out the project after recording so much music for her next album. Savage said she named 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.

The lead single, "All Over", was released on April 2, 2017.{{cite web |author1=Marcus Brown |title=Tiwa Savage – All Over (prod. BabyFresh) |url=https://tooxclusive.com/download-mp3/tiwa-savage-prod-babyfresh/ |publisher=TooXclusive |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=April 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425225549/https://tooxclusive.com/download-mp3/tiwa-savage-prod-babyfresh/ |archive-date=25 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The Native{{'}}s Debola Abimbolu said the song is essentially about Savage's romantic feelings and likened its hook to Kcee's "Tonight".{{cite web |author1=Debola Abimbolu |title=TIWA SAVAGE'S FIRST OFFICIAL SINGLE OF THE YEAR, "ALL OVER" GETS A VIDEO UPGRADE |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/tiwa-savage-all-over-video/ |publisher=Native Magazine |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=May 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427144634/https://thenativemag.com/music/tiwa-savage-all-over-video/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} 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 recorded in four and a half hours.{{cite web |author1=Bianca Alysse |title=Tiwa Savage Talks 'Sugarcane' EP & Lessons Learned From Working With Mary J. Blige |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7990428/tiwa-savage-interview-sugarcane-ep |publisher=Billboard |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=October 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430194724/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7990428/tiwa-savage-interview-sugarcane-ep |archive-date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The Wizkid-assisted track "Ma Lo" was released on November 3, 2017, as the second single.{{cite web |title=NEW VIDEO: Tiwa Savage Drops 'Malo' Featuring Wizkid |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2017/11/03/new-video-tiwa-savage-drops-malo-featuring-wizkid/ |publisher=Channels TV |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=November 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427174537/https://www.channelstv.com/2017/11/03/new-video-tiwa-savage-drops-malo-featuring-wizkid/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} Directed by Meji Alabi, the accompanying music video for "Ma Lo" was filmed at the New Afrika Shrine.{{cite web |author1=Daniel Orubo |title=Tiwa Savage And Wizkid Turn Up At The New Afrika Shrine For 'Ma Lo' Video |url=http://www.konbini.com/ng/entertainment/music/tiwa-savage-and-wizkid-turn-up-at-the-new-afrika-shrine-for-ma-lo-video/ |publisher=Konbini Channels |accessdate=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427173024/http://www.konbini.com/ng/entertainment/music/tiwa-savage-and-wizkid-turn-up-at-the-new-afrika-shrine-for-ma-lo-video/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} A 40-second teaser clip preceded its release.{{cite web |author1=Daniel Orubo |title=Watch The Video Teaser For Tiwa Savage And Wizkid's 'Ma Lo' |url=http://www.konbini.com/ng/entertainment/music/watch-the-video-teaser-for-tiwa-savage-wizkids-ma-lo/ |publisher=Konbini Channels |accessdate=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427173004/http://www.konbini.com/ng/entertainment/music/watch-the-video-teaser-for-tiwa-savage-wizkids-ma-lo/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} A Wizkid fan account shared behind-the-scenes clips of the video shoot on October 19, 2017.{{cite web |title=TIWA SAVAGE, WIZKID AND SPELLZ ARE SHOOTING A FIRE VIDEO FOR "MA LO" |url=http://www.mtvbase.com/news/Tiwa-Savage-Wizkid-and-Spellz-are-shooting-a-fire-video-for-Ma-Lo/xjfz9h |publisher=MTV Base |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427173546/http://www.mtvbase.com/news/Tiwa-Savage-Wizkid-and-Spellz-are-shooting-a-fire-video-for-Ma-Lo/xjfz9h |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} "Ma Lo" won Best Collabo at The Headies 2018.{{cite web |author1=Billy Praise |title=The HEADIES 2018: Full List Of Winners. |url=https://guardian.ng/life/music/the-headies-2018-full-list-of-winners/ |publisher=Guardian Life |accessdate=16 March 2019 |date=5 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328042759/https://guardian.ng/life/music/the-headies-2018-full-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web |author1=Damilola Animashaun |title=Watch The Sweet & Colourful Video For Tiwa Savage's 'Sugarcane' |url=https://www.konbini.com/ng/entertainment/music/watch-sweet-colourful-video-tiwa-savages-sugarcane/ |publisher=Konbini Channels |accessdate=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427180338/https://www.konbini.com/ng/entertainment/music/watch-sweet-colourful-video-tiwa-savages-sugarcane/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The music video for "Get It Now" was released on February 22, 2018; it depicts a romance between the singer and a gym trainer.{{cite web |author1=Debola Abimbolu |title=TIWA SAVAGE HITS THE GYM FOR "GET IT NOW" |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/tiwa-savage-hits-gym-bring-sexy-back-new-video-get-now/ |publisher=Native Magazine |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=February 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427180153/https://thenativemag.com/music/tiwa-savage-hits-gym-bring-sexy-back-new-video-get-now/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }} In March 2018, Savage released the Omarion-assisted remix of "Get It Now".{{cite web |title=Get It Now (Remix) [feat. Omarion] - Single |date=9 March 2018 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-it-now-remix-feat-omarion-single/1354455833 |publisher=iTunes |access-date=27 April 2019}} 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.{{cite web |author1=Debola Abimbolu |title=TIWA SAVAGE SERVES HOT LOOKS IN HER VIDEO FOR "GET IT NOW" REMIX FEATURING OMARION |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/tiwa-savage-serves-hot-looks-video-get-now-remix-featuring-omarion/ |publisher=Native Magazine |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=April 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427181802/https://thenativemag.com/music/tiwa-savage-serves-hot-looks-video-get-now-remix-featuring-omarion/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

Sugarcane is a mixture of Afropop, funk, house, pop, R&B and trap. 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.{{cite web |title=Tiwa Savage Reiterates Her Intimate Affair With 'Love' on Sugarcane EP |date=27 September 2017 |url=http://culturecustodian.com/tiwa-savage-sugarcane-ep/ |publisher=Culture Custodian |accessdate=26 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426015127/http://culturecustodian.com/tiwa-savage-sugarcane-ep/ |archive-date=26 April 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |author1=Edwin Okolo |title=ESSENTIALS: 'SUGARCANE' IS A RETURN TO FORM FOR TIWA SAVAGE |url=https://thenativemag.com/music/sugarcane-return-form-tiwa-savage/ |publisher=Native Magazine |accessdate=27 April 2019 |date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427144613/https://thenativemag.com/music/sugarcane-return-form-tiwa-savage/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

{{Album ratings

| align=right

| rev1 = Pulse Nigeria

| rev1Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}

}}

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".{{cite web |author1=Jim Donnett |title=EP REVIEW: Tiwa Savage – 'SugarCane' |url=https://tooxclusive.com/artist-album-reviews/ep-review-tiwa-savage-sugarcane/ |publisher=TooXclusive |accessdate=25 April 2019 |date=October 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425225427/https://tooxclusive.com/artist-album-reviews/ep-review-tiwa-savage-sugarcane/ |archive-date=25 April 2019 |url-status=live }} A Pulse Nigeria contributor, who goes by Jonathan, called Sugarcane "less a collection of songs and more a documentation of feelings".{{cite web |title=Tiwa Savage's offers romantic diabetes on "Sugarcane" EP |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/ep-review-tiwa-savages-offers-romantic-diabetes-on-sugarcane-ep/ff6te0z |publisher=Pulse Nigeria |accessdate=25 April 2019 |date=September 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425225424/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/ep-review-tiwa-savages-offers-romantic-diabetes-on-sugarcane-ep/ff6te0z |archive-date=25 April 2019 |url-status=live }} Reviewing for 360 Nobs, Wilfred Okiche said Savage "appears to have found her voice and niche" on Sugarcane.{{cite web |author1=Wilfred Okiche |title=EP Review: Sugarcane- Tiwa Savage |url=https://www.360nobs.com/2018/06/ep-review-sugarcane-tiwa-savage/ |publisher=360 Nobs |accessdate=26 April 2019 |date=June 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426010606/https://www.360nobs.com/2018/06/ep-review-sugarcane-tiwa-savage/ |archive-date=26 April 2019 |url-status=live }}

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."{{cite web |author1=Oris Aigbokhaevbolo |title=Sugarcane review: Tiwa Savage is still queen |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sugarcane-review-tiwa-savage-still-queen |publisher=Music in Africa |accessdate=26 April 2019 |date=9 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421230420/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sugarcane-review-tiwa-savage-still-queen |archive-date=21 April 2019 |url-status=live }} In a review for OkayAfrica, Sabo Kpade commended Savage's songwriting efforts and said the EP has great replay value.{{cite web |author1=Sabo Kpade |title=Tiwa Savage Delivers 6 Sweet Stalks of 'Sugarcane' In Her New EP |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/tiwa-savage-sugarcane-ep-review/ |publisher=OkayAfrica |accessdate=26 April 2019 |date=September 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426024426/https://www.okayafrica.com/tiwa-savage-sugarcane-ep-review/ |archive-date=26 April 2019 |url-status=live }} The Native{{'}}s Edwin Okolo praised Savage for embracing Afropop and said the genre "is the undercurrent that runs through the entire EP".

{{Track listing

| headline =

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 20:00

| title1 = Sugarcane

| note1 =

| writer1 = Tiwatope Savage

| extra1 = Spellz

| length1 = 3:20

| title2 = Get It Now

| note2 =

| writer2 = Savage

| extra2 = P2J

| length2 = 3:25

| title3 = Me and You

| note3 =

| writer3 = Savage

| extra3 = Maleek Berry

| length3 = 3:03

| title4 = Hold Me Down

| note4 =

| writer4 = Savage

| extra4 = P2J

| length4 = 3:14

| title5 = All Over

| note5 =

| writer5 = Savage

| extra5 = Baby Fresh

| length5 = 3:31

| title6 = Ma Lo

| note6 = featuring Wizkid and Spellz

| writer6 = {{hlist|Savage|Ayodeji Balogun}}

| extra6 = Spellz

| length6 = 3:02

}}

Notes

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

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

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

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Tiwa Savage}}

{{Mavin Records}}

Category:2017 debut EPs

Category:Tiwa Savage albums

Category:Albums produced by Maleek Berry

Category:Albums produced by Spellz

Category:Yoruba-language albums

Category:Mavin Records EPs

Category:Albums produced by P2J

Category:Albums produced by Baby Fresh