Key Points:
- Tyla keeps her “coloured” identity and faces loud US backlash. She says she is fine and will not fold.
- Tiwa Savage apologises to Black Americans on Tyla’s behalf on radio. She calls herself Tyla’s “elder” and seeks calm.
- South Africans push back at Tiwa’s move online. Many hail Tyla after her bold New York set.
Tyla has answered the uproar with clear words. The Grammy winner spoke on stage in New York. She said, “Sorry, I am not sorry.” The line drew cheers at Global Citizen Festival.
The storm began after she owned the word “coloured.” In South Africa, the term means people of mixed roots. In the United States, the word has a harsh past. Many Americans found it rude and hurtful.
Tyla defends her identity at Global Citizen Festival
The singer did not dodge the hot topic. Before she sang “Mr Media,” she sent a short note. “Sorry, I am not sorry,” she told the crowd. Her stance felt firm and calm at once.
Fans online praised the move all night. Clips from the show spread across feeds fast. The mood in her replies felt warm and proud. Many thanked her for standing tall with grace.
Tiwa Savage’s apology draws swift pushback at home
Days earlier, Tiwa Savage had stepped in on US radio. On The Breakfast Club, she spoke for Tyla and said sorry. She also called herself the star’s “elder” on air. The aim was peace, yet the blowback grew.
South Africans felt the apology missed core context. Their point was clear and simple to grasp. In their view, “coloured” holds a local, lived meaning. They asked outsiders to respect that truth first.
Tiwa has been in the news this month. She recently rejected the “Queen of Afrobeats” title, urging shared flowers for women. The singer also stays in bright public view. Last month, she brought her son Jamil on stage to sweet cheers in London.
The bigger talk here sits with words and place. Terms can feel light in one land and heavy in another. Tyla knows this and still names herself with care. For now, she stands firm and keeps her lane
