Tyla Addresses Colorism Allegations In Letter To Fans

Tyla, one of 2023's most electrifying breakout stars, has recently found herself at the center of an unexpected controversy regarding her racial identity. 

via: HotNewHipHop

She released her single "Water" in the first half of the year and it slowly climbed its way up the charts eventually becoming a smash hit. The song currently sits with more than 670 million streams on Spotify. It even got a remix late last year featuring an assist from Travis Scott with that version generating more than 50 million streams of its own. It all led to her self-titled debut album which dropped earlier this year. The project sparked even more success for the R&B star with songs like "Jump" and "Truth Or Dare."

But now she's found herself having to address some fan concerns. After apparently seeing one too many accusations of colorism online she felt the need to respond. "Yoh guys. 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," her statement begins. "I don't expect to be classified 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 for the culture. It's and not or... with that being said ASAMBEEE" she concludes. Check out the full statement below.

In the replies, fans seem unequivocally supportive of Tyla, insisting she not listen to the critics. "You don't need to explain yourself tyla, these people just need to educate themselves" one comment reads. "I love how you’ve stood your ground on this particular matter" and "Just ignore them Tyla" two others agree.

Yes Charlamagne Tha Goddess was being messy by asking her about the coloured comments when TBC was asked not to ask her about it because of the backlash she received from Americans who think their gripes with racism and colorism is global.

Coloured is not considered derogatory in the same way that the word is in America. I just find it interesting that black people in America have a problem with the word "coloured," but have no problem taking the N word, which I think is worse, and stripping it of it's negative connotations.

If we can be open minded enough to take the N word and make it a "term of endearment," then we can be open minded enough to learn other people's cultures, and the meaning behind certain words that they use, that we as Americans may see differently.

I just wish that what she said in the letter she would have addressed during her Breakfast Club interview. That way, she could have put the story to bed permanently.

If you care to watch the full interview of Charlamagne being crass and obtuse with his questioning, check it out below...