Earlier yesterday, “The Breakfast Club” released an engaging new interview with South African music sensation Tyla. Known for her viral “Water” dance and captivating tunes, Tyla opened up about her musical journey, her unique upbringing, and even shared a laugh over a humorous exchange with streamer Kai Cenat.
However, the conversation took a serious turn when Charlamagne Tha God inquired about South Africa’s Coloured identity, a term for residents of mixed ancestry. Her team quickly redirected the discussion, but the moment sparked a heated debate on YouTube and social media. Fans and viewers weighed in with varied opinions on the Grammy winner’s racial and cultural identity.
Responding to the controversy, Tyla took to her Instagram stories to set the record straight about her heritage. “Never denied my Blackness. [I don’t know] where that came from,” she began. “I’m mixed with Black, Zulu, Irish, Mauritian, Indian, and Coloured. In [South Africa], I would be classified as a Coloured woman, and [in] other places, I would be classified as a Black woman. Race is classified differently in different parts of the world.”
Tyla continued, “I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of [South Africa] by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside of [South Africa]. But, to close this conversation, I’m both Coloured in South Africa and a Black woman. As a woman of the culture, it’s ‘and,’ not ‘or.'” She ended her message with the Zulu phrase “Asambe.”
Fans on her X account rallied behind her, with one user tweeting, “You don’t need to explain yourself Tyla, these people just need to educate themselves.” Another added, “It’s okay to say you’re coloured/mixed. Don’t let uneducated people who uphold the one-drop rule bully you into changing your stance. You’re mixed/coloured and that’s okay.”
With her candid response, Tyla not only clarified her background but also highlighted the complex and varied ways race and heritage are understood across the world. Her message resonated with many, proving once again that she’s not just a star for her music, but for her authenticity and strength in embracing her multifaceted identity.
You don't need to explain yourself tyla, these people just need to educate themselves
— Pvssy Tight | Fan (@pvssytightt) June 13, 2024It’s okay to say you’re coloured/mixed. Don’t let uneducated people who uphold the one drop rule bully you into changing your stance. You’re mixed/coloured and that’s okay 💜
— aqua moon (@afrorckprincess) June 13, 2024
