Tunji Balogun (born September 26, 1980; Age: 43 years old), popularly known as Tee Billz, is a Nigerian media mogul, manager, and entertainer best known as Tiwa Savage’s ex-husband. Tee is also the owner of 323 Entertainment.
He grew up in the United States of America (USA) and was educated there. He returned to Nigeria to build a music empire and was right on target as he became the owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the record label 323 Entertainment. He has managed A-List artists like Tiwa Savage (His estranged wife), CDQ, Iceberg Slim, and Traffic.
Many people know Tee Billz as the estranged husband of Tiwa Savage. It may seem as though he became famous after his failed suicide attempt, which caused an uproar in the industry and the country at large. But there is more to the media personality that many are yet to know. Little was known about Billz till his relationship with Tiwa Savage and his infamous suicide attempt in 2017. He was rescued by A-List artists Banky W and Peter Okoye (Mr. P), who talked him out of jumping from the Lekki – Ikoyi bridge in Lagos.
Tunji’s fondness for Tiwa went from a professional affair to a love affair that will be the catalyst for one of the messiest divorce scandals that will hit the Nigerian Entertainment Industry, and that will keep the media talking for a long time.
Profile Summary Of Tee Billz
- Name: Tunji Balogun
- Date of Birth: September 26th, 1980
- Age: 43 years old
- Place of Birth: United States of America
- State of Origin: Lagos
- Marital Status: Separated
- Alma Mater: Pomona College California
- Net Worth: $5 Million
Tee Billz Comes From A Broken Home
Tunji’s father, Olatunji Ibrahim Balogun, is a past president of the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN). Little is known about his mother; however, Buzz Nigeria gathered that his parents separated when he was young. His father has many wives, so it was not easy growing up in a polygamous home, an experience that left him psychologically vulnerable.
For the fact he hardly saw his parents united, Tee grew up not seeing his father as a role model and did not want to be anything close to his father. The public understood this when he expressed so much disgust towards himself for ending up as a co-parent like his own parents. Although that did not mean he was not a contributing party to his marital challenges.
Tee Billz And Tiwa Savage Started As Friends, Then Colleagues
Tee Billz has managed many artists in the Nigerian entertainment industry, but his most significant project was Tiwa Savage. He was her backbone and was the one that nurtured her career by providing physical, emotional, financial, and moral support. Their relationship started as a manager-artist relationship. They became very good friends who could talk about anything, and with time spent, emotions grew.
The two stars met each other for the first time in the US through a friend named Wale. Tiwa at the time was not famous; she was an upcoming singer and was looking for a way to a breakthrough in the Entertainment Industry. After they met, she submitted her music, which Tunji listened to, and called her the next day saying he liked her vocals. He further advised that she moved back to Nigeria, and she agreed.
Their friendship grew stronger, and as time went on, Tee Billz founded 323 Entertainment in 2010. He soon signed Tiwa and started to manage her at the time. A few other artists like Iceberg Slim and CDQ have also been signed by the record label in the past.
Their Friendship Blossomed Into A Romantic Relationship, Then Marriage
From working together and managing her tours, Tee Billz and Tiwa nurtured the brewing chemistry between them. In 2012, cupid found its way into their hearts, tying their bond and leaving them hopelessly in love. The two lovebirds came back to Nigeria to settle, and that was how the music partnership and romantic relationship started. On February 6th, 2013, Teebillz proposed to Tiwa at a restaurant in Lagos, where they were celebrating her 33rd birthday.
On November 23rd, 2013, they had their traditional marriage at the Ark in Lekki, Lagos. On April 26th, 2014, they had their elaborate white wedding at a choice location in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The wedding was graced by tons of family, celebrities, friends, well-wishers, and the press looking for headlines. Pictures graced magazine front pages with videos and more pictures all over the internet. However, 2016 ushered in unfortunate events that will lead to the crash of the marriage.
How Tee Billz and Tiwa’s Marriage Saga Began in 2016
Their marital woes began when TeeBillz, in March 2016, uploaded ungodly posts and messages on his official Instagram handle about his wife. The duo then engaged in a ‘war of words’ on social media. Teebillz had accused his wife of sleeping around with men and that her mother was a witch. These heartbreaking posts were followed up with suicidal posts, which got the attention of his fans, family, friends, and the media.
Moments after his suicidal posts, he was seen at the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, where he was ready to jump into the lagoon. Fortunately, he was rescued by his friends and co-artist Banky W and Peter Okoye. Childhood trauma and rough beginnings were some of the reasons given for his failed suicide attempt. There were allegations that Teebillz official Instagram handle might have been compromised and that he was not responsible for sending those outrageous messages.
It was also revealed that Tiwa is not the first wife of Teebillz; he was legally married to another woman and had kids from other relationships. However, it was said that Tiwa was well aware of his relationship status before agreeing to marry him. Whether or not these are true, it could be part of the reasons for their marital challenges.
Tiwa Savage had also granted a 45 Minute interview to set the record straight. In the video, she accused Tee Billz as an irresponsible father, alcoholic, womanizer, chronic debtor, and drug addict. He was also accused of physically assaulting her, an accusation he denied.
How The Once Loved Up Couple Became Separated
Tee Billz filed for divorce to end his four-year-old marriage, as he said he could not take anymore. He separated from Tiwa Savage and moved to Victoria Island Lagos and then back to the United States. He had undergone therapy from Lanre Olusola with a series of coaching sessions to help him fight depression. Tee had also received spiritual guidance from Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of the City of David Church.
Religion and therapy helped him gain peace of mind, body, and spirit. He looked forward to starting a new life of peace and happiness. Tiwa Savage had resolved to focus squarely on her career, which Tee Billz had put in jeopardy with his past public display with his suicide attempt. Her career was more important to her than anything at that point in time. What mattered was whether her husband was alive. He was suicidal, and it made her worry so much. Luckily, nothing happened to him, and he had recovered.
She went on and made hits that have topped the national and international charts and cementing her position as “Area Mama” in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. Tee Billz founded a management company called ‘Billz Vision.’ The company has signed the likes of popular reality star Tacha in the past.
Tiwa And Tee Billz Have A Son Together
Their marriage was blessed with a baby boy, Jamil, on July 22nd, 2015. Their son, fondly called ‘Jam Jam,’ is 8 years old and is growing stronger and smarter by the day. The aftermath of the celebrity couple’s marriage crisis gradually played down as growing Jam Jam’s photos started to make their way to the internet.
Nigerians fell in love with the cute little boy and started to accept the fact that the couple was peacefully separated. Although Tiwa Savage had full custody of the child, there was no restriction against Tee Billz. He would attend birthdays and school parties and would always hang out with Jam Jam and his mother.
Among many things, fans of the songstress coined the name ‘Mama Jam Jam’ for Tiwa, and it was a beautiful thing as she happily accepted the name. In 2016, the little baby Jamil and his mother became ambassadors of Pampers Nigeria. This endorsement was followed by beautiful adverts and billboards of Tiwa and Jam Jam, and it was indeed a delight to behold.
Though they have kept their personal life far away from the prying eyes of the media, sources have revealed that they are both on good terms and are working together towards giving their son all the support he needs. However, they are not living together, and they are doing well in their various endeavors. In July 2021, Jamil Balogun graduated from pre-school to the delight of his parents.
Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz Have Since Moved On
Divorce or separation was not going to define the life of the media mogul nor his estranged wife. Since their separation, several names have popped up as to who is romantically involved with Tiwa Savage. We may not be certain about the name, but one thing is for sure, she has dated a few celebrities and is equally romantically involved with someone.
In the spirit of moving on, Tee Billz dated a few people following his separation from his estranged wife. In August 2020, Billz announced to everyone through his Instagram handle that he had found love again. Accompanying the announcement was a loved-up photo of him with the woman whose name was not given. The couple was reportedly on vacation when he took the pictures and videos of them together.
He also went on to post a photo of his heavily pregnant girlfriend in October 2021. In the caption, Billz implied he already had a baby boy with her, as he indirectly told his family.
Before Tiwa Savage, Billz Was Married To Kenea Udoh
Before his marriage to Tiwa Savage, Tee Billz was romantically involved with other women. Tee Billz was legally married to Kenea Udoh, his first wife. We are not certain about the year they got married, but it is known that the said woman has two kids for him – a boy and a girl. She is based in the United Kingdom (UK) with her two kids. From the look of things, Kenea and Tiwa are not on good terms. When Billz and Tiwa got married, word on the street was that she accused the singer of destroying their marriage and taking Billz for herself.
However, these were mere gossips, as they were never confirmed. But we could see the bad blood between them when Kenea chided Tiwa for wishing her daughter, Bisi, a happy birthday on social media. Tee’s first wife called out and accused the Nigerian singer of doing that for her image because her daughter never knew Tiwa and that the singer did not care to call her.
He Also Had A Child With Vivian Oputa
Vivian Oputa is the name of the second woman Tee Billz was involved with before Tiwa. She is a medical doctor in Beverly Hills, in the United States. Though they were not legally married, they both had a son named Ona. Rumors had it that Tiwa knew about Billz and Vivian’s child when they were already deep into preparations for their wedding. Reports also show that Dr. Oputa had a daughter from a past relationship before she started dating Tee Billz.
The talent manager has five children; two from his marriage with Kenea, one with Dr. Vivian Oputa, one with singer Tiwa Savage, and one with his girlfriend, whose name is still unknown. If there’s anything exemplary about his relationship with his exes, it would be his unconditional love for all his kids. Tee Billz ensures he sustains his relationship with his kids as he strives to become the best father to them. A quick look at his social media page, especially Instagram, says it all; he is indeed an awesome dad to his children.