Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla has responded to Nigerian star Tiwa Savage’s recent apology on her behalf to Black Americans. The controversy began after Tyla publicly described herself as “coloured,” a term that is widely accepted in South Africa to define people of mixed heritage. However, the word holds a painful and offensive history in the United States, leading to widespread criticism from African-Americans, particularly within the Black community.

In a surprising turn, Tiwa Savage addressed the matter during an appearance on the American show The Breakfast Club. Introducing herself as Tyla’s “elder,” she issued an apology to Black Americans for the singer’s choice of words. While Tiwa’s statement was intended to calm the backlash, it sparked outrage among many South Africans who felt she overstepped. According to them, Tiwa does not fully understand South Africa’s racial identity and therefore had no place speaking for one of their own.

Tyla appeared to distance herself from the apology in a subtle yet powerful way. While performing at the Global Citizen Festival in New York over the weekend, she told the cheering crowd, “Sorry, I am not sorry,” before launching into her track Mr Media. The moment was quickly interpreted as her way of reclaiming her voice and making it clear that she stood by her original identity statement.

Clips of Tyla’s performance have since gone viral on social media, with thousands of South Africans applauding her for asserting herself and rejecting Tiwa’s apology. Supporters praised her for showing confidence in her cultural background and refusing to let outside voices redefine her narrative.

This debate has highlighted the cultural divide in the interpretation of the word “coloured,” proving how language can carry very different meanings depending on history and geography.

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