Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla has addressed claims that she isn’t black, responding to rival fans on social media who asserted that the 22-year-old singer is “white/Indian” and not black.
In a statement shared via her X (formerly Twitter) page, Tyla clarified her racial identity and heritage, emphasizing that she is mixed race with black/Zulu, Irish, and Mauritian/Indian ancestry.
“Yoh guys, [I have] never denied my blackness, idk where that came from… I’m mixed with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured.”
Tyla explained the nuances of racial classification in her native South Africa and internationally:
“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.”
She acknowledged the complexity and sensitivity of racial identity outside South Africa:
“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.”
Tyla’s statement aims to dispel any confusion about her racial identity and reinforce her pride in her diverse heritage.
