Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla has addressed and debunked claims that she is not black.
Following assertions from rival fans on social media suggesting the 22-year-old artist is “white/Indian” rather than black, Tyla responded in a statement on her X page Thursday night.
She clarified that she is of mixed race, with black/Zulu, Irish, and Mauritian/Indian heritage.
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Tyla explained that in South Africa, she would be classified as “Coloured,” but outside her country, she is recognized as a black woman. The ‘Water’ hitmaker emphasized that she has never denied her blackness.
In her word, “Yoh guys, [I have] never denied my blackness, idk where that came from
I’m mixed with black/Zulu, irish, Mauritian/Indian and Coloured.
“In Southa 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 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.”
