South African singer Tyla has once again become the center of global conversation after making it clear that she is not sorry for describing herself as “Coloured”, even after Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage had stepped in to apologize on her behalf during an interview on The Breakfast Club.
The issue began when Tyla used the word Coloured to describe her identity while speaking on international platforms. For her, the word has deep meaning in South Africa, where it refers to a distinct cultural and ethnic group with mixed heritage. But for many outside South Africa, particularly in the United States, the word carries a painful past. In the American context, Coloured is tied to segregation and has long been considered offensive, which is why many found Tyla’s description of herself uncomfortable.
To calm the storm, Tiwa Savage, speaking as an elder and respected figure in Afrobeats, apologized on Tyla’s behalf, explaining that sometimes cultural differences in language can spark misunderstandings. Tiwa’s move was meant to protect a younger artist from further criticism, but Tyla wasn’t having it. Days later, while performing at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, Tyla boldly declared, “Sorry, I am not sorry.” That response made it clear that she had no intention of backing down or letting someone else define her choice of identity.
Tyla has also clarified that she has never denied being Black. Instead, she explained her mixed heritage, pointing out that she has Zulu, Irish, Mauritian, and Indian roots. She emphasized that in South Africa she is legally and socially classified as Coloured, while in other places she might simply be seen as Black. For her, the word is not an insult but a cultural marker, one that represents her history and community.
This clash of perspectives shows how language and identity don’t always travel well across borders. In South Africa, Coloured is recognized as a distinct racial and cultural group with its own history and struggles, while in the United States, the same word is linked to oppression and exclusion. Tyla’s use of the word in American media spaces, therefore, struck a nerve, and Tiwa Savage’s apology was seen by some as necessary. But Tyla’s rejection of that apology has now raised deeper questions about who gets to define identity and who has the right to apologize for another person’s lived experience.
Reactions have been divided. Many African Americans still feel that Tyla should be more sensitive when speaking internationally, while South Africans have largely defended her, arguing that she should not be forced to erase her cultural identity to fit into another country’s history. Others feel Tiwa’s apology, while well-intentioned, undermined Tyla’s agency. After all, she is more than capable of speaking for herself, and identity is too personal for someone else to define or excuse.
This conversation highlights the complexity of global stardom in today’s world. Artists like Tyla move between cultures and audiences, and what is normal in one society can easily be controversial in another. It also reflects the tension between historical context and personal truth. While the word Coloured may wound some audiences, for Tyla it remains a part of who she is. By standing firm and saying she is not sorry, she is asserting her right to define her own identity on her own terms.
At its core, this is not just about one word or one apology. It is about the ongoing challenge of identity in a globalized world. Tyla’s stand is a reminder that self-identification is deeply personal, shaped by heritage, culture, and history. And while she may continue to face criticism, her insistence on owning her truth shows that she is not afraid to spark difficult conversations.
