Tyla’s Global Citizen Festival performance wasn’t just about music, it reignited the storm around her self-identifying as “Coloured.” The controversy deepened when Tiwa Savage, during a U.S. radio interview, apologised on Tyla’s behalf, saying she likely didn’t mean to offend. That move backfired, with many South Africans arguing Tiwa had no right to speak for …
The “Coloured” Drama Hits Global Citizen Stage
Tyla’s Global Citizen Festival performance wasn’t just about music, it reignited the storm around her self-identifying as “Coloured.”
The controversy deepened when Tiwa Savage, during a U.S. radio interview, apologised on Tyla’s behalf, saying she likely didn’t mean to offend. That move backfired, with many South Africans arguing Tiwa had no right to speak for Tyla’s cultural identity.
On stage in New York, Tyla made her stance clear. While introducing a track, she quipped: “Sorry not sorry.” Fans took it as a direct clapback to Tiwa’s apology and a bold reaffirmation of her right to define herself.
At the heart of the debate is a clash of histories: in South Africa, “Coloured” is a long-recognised identity, but in the U.S., it’s a slur. Tyla has said she embraces both her Blackness and her Coloured identity, but the cultural misfire keeps sparking global debate.
