Tiwa Savage sparks backlash after apologising for Tyla in ‘coloured’ identity controversy

Nigerian star Tiwa Savage has sparked conversation after she weighed in on Tyla’s ongoing "coloured” identity controversy during an interview on “The Breakfast Club”.

The 45-year-old singer was asked by co-host Loren Lorosa what she thought of the backlash Tyla received for expressing that she identifies as coloured in America, where the term is considered a slur, as well as how she thinks Tyla handled it. 

Savage said she understood the sensitivity of the word in America but also felt sympathy for the 23-year-old South African star.

“I would get why that would be such a huge thing here, because of the history behind that name,” Savage said. “I think I felt for her a little bit because she is young and I do not think she means to come across like that.”

“Where I am from, when something like this happens, the elderly would come and speak ‘on behalf of’. We apologise. So if that was not communicated, I would like to say on behalf of her, we apologise. We did not mean it, forgive us. I do not think it came from a bad place,” she said. 

The moment brings the conversation back to Tyla’s own interview on “The Breakfast Club”, when host Charlamagne tha God asked her to clarify what she meant by identifying as coloured. 

That exchange sparked the original wave of online debate, since the term carries very different meanings in South Africa and the US and is widely viewed as a slur in the American context. 

Following the interview, Tyla addressed the backlash herself on social media after her comments on the same radio show last year went viral. 

She explained that in South Africa, coloured refers to people of mixed heritage, while in other countries she identifies as a black woman.

“Never denied my blackness, idk where that came from. I’m mixed with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian and coloured. In South Africa, I would be classified as a coloured woman and, other places, I would be classified 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 South Africa 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,” she wrote.

However, her clarification has not stopped the debate from resurfacing. Some American fans continue to criticise her, linking the controversy to her music’s performance in the States. 

Others, including Cardi B, have spoken out against what they call unfair treatment of the young Grammy winner, defending her right to embrace her South African identity.

Public reactions

With Savage now entering the conversation, fans have been weighing in once again.

While some see her words as a show of solidarity and cultural respect, most feel Tyla had already explained herself and didn’t need anyone else to apologise on her behalf.

X user @Angelinahhhhhh commented: “And Tiwa Savage apologising to Americans on Tyla’s behalf? Tiwa who isn’t South African and does not possess the range or cultural experience to speak on SA race politics.

"She’s on there framing Tyla as 'being young' for standing up for her race and cultural experience. Boo!”

And @nicki_D_ said: “Tiwa Savage must never ever under no circumstances speak on behalf of any South African, let alone apologise for anyone, especially during Heritage Month. Tyla did nothing wrong and doesn't owe anyone an apology.”

While @Sihle_s_ commented: “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around why Tiwa Savage, a Nigerian, thought it was a good idea to comment on South African racial history and identities.Tyla herself has never apologised for what she is and Nigerian woman thought oh I’m gonna do it for her.”