Grammy-winning South African singer, Tyla has addressed claims that she has denied her black heritage.
In a statement shared on her X page, Tyla clarified that she has never rejected her blackness, contrary to rumours circulating on social media.
“Yoh guys, [I have] never denied my blackness, I don’t know where that came from … I’m mixed with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured.”
Tyla
Tyla explained that in South Africa, she would be classified as a Coloured woman, while in other parts of the world, she would be identified as a black woman.
“Race is classified differently in different parts of the world. I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of Southa by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside of SA.
“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 with that said ASAMBEEE.”
Tyla
Seeing as though the term had a more derogatory connotation in America, it sparked a heated discussion among internet users, with black Americans accusing her of attempting to disassociate herself from the black culture despite making R&B music.
However, many South Africans came to her defense, arguing that there was a difference between the way South Africans and Americans used the term.
Soon after she addressed the misunderstandings, X users reacted to her statement.
“Tyla has always been a proud South African girl before everything and she will forever represent her country in every way!
“She never made her music to appeal to certain races but she does music to showcase her talent & the beauty of South African culture to the world!”
User One
“They’ve already started. Tyla baby, you said what you said and you don’t ever have to explain yourself again to anyone, especially not to people who wanna act dumb.”
User Two
“You’re not a black woman, you’re an African woman and that’s okay. You don’t have to falsely claim Black to be accepted.”
User Three
Singer Reveals Childhood Secret
South African music sensation, Tyla Laura Seethal, has hoped on the trending ‘I cannot believe I actually got away with when I was younger’ challenge and her revelation had jaws on the floor.
The 22-year-old first-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter opened up on one of the naughtiest things she’s ever done as a kid, marveling at the fact that her parents to date never found out.
“Once when I was like 5 years old I hid behind my parents couch and smoked my mother’s cigarette. Like I’m not even joking.”
Tyla
Responding to whether she smoked inside the house or if she had the brains to go do it outside, “In the house! I thought I was being so sneaky,” the songstress replied in between chuckles as she recounted.
She added after she was done with her naughty escapade she cleaned up and decided she would keep everything to herself.
“Honestly, I actually thought I was being so sneaky. And till now my parents did not know, I did not tell them. I don’t know how they did not smell it or how they never knew. I just remember being behind the couch taking puffs.”
Tyla
Tyla opened up on how she had to “fight” with her parents who strongly wanted her to join university and further her studies after completing high school as opposed to joining the entertainment scene.
The artist recalled pleading with them severally, while bargaining for just a little time to dip her feet in the industry promising if the craft failed then she’d abide by their wishes.
“I was on the verge, like on the verge! I was on the verge of studying mining engineering. I literally almost did (that) instead of doing music.
“Literally only because my parents were like, ‘You have to study!’ That was the only reason! So I asked them to give me a year, just a year to prove that I can do this (music), and eventually I got them to agree.”
Tyla
She credited her song ‘Getting Late’ which she released in January 2021 for helping soften her parents’ hearts proving to them that she had great potential.
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