Tyla Distances Herself from Tiwa Savage’s Apology Over “Coloured” Controversy

South African singer and Grammy winner, Tyla, has distanced herself from Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage’s apology to African-Americans over her “coloured” remarks.

The controversy began when Tyla described herself as “coloured,” a term commonly used in South Africa to identify people of mixed descent. While the label is socially accepted in her country, it carries a history of racial discrimination in the United States and is considered offensive, particularly within the Black community.

The singer faced heavy criticism from African-Americans, prompting Tiwa Savage to publicly apologise on her behalf during a U.S. media appearance, referring to herself as Tyla’s elder. The move sparked backlash in South Africa, where many accused Savage of speaking without understanding the cultural context of the term.

During her performance at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, Tyla signaled her refusal to accept the apology by affirming that she would not withdraw her self-identification. The gesture was widely interpreted as a rejection of Tiwa Savage’s intervention.

Her stance was met with widespread support in South Africa, where many social media users praised her for asserting ownership of her racial identity and disassociating herself from the apology offered in her name

Written by Adeyemi Adewale