Editorial: Lost in Translation: Tyla, “Colored,” and Cultural Context
When South African pop star Tyla referred to herself as “colored,” she likely didn’t anticipate the firestorm it would ignite in the United States. In South Africa, “Coloured” is a formal racial classification used to describe people of mixed heritage. In the U.S., however, “colored” is a relic of segregation, long viewed as a slur against African Americans. That cultural clash has placed Tyla at the center of a debate that has complicated her rise in America.
The controversy erupted after a June 2024 appearance on The Breakfast Club, a major platform in Black American culture. When Charlamagne Tha God asked Tyla about her use of the word, she deferred to her publicist rather than answering directly. The exchange quickly went viral, with critics accusing her of distancing herself from Blackness or sidestepping a sensitive subject. In the fast-moving world of social media, her silence became fuel for speculation.
Tyla soon clarified the situation on Twitter. She explained that she never denied her Blackness, sharing her mixed heritage of Zulu, Irish, Mauritian, Indian, and Coloured roots. She stressed that race is defined differently around the world: in South Africa, she would be classified as Coloured, while elsewhere she would be identified as Black. Her response was thoughtful, but for many, the damage had already been done.
Some Black Americans interpreted her explanation as evasive, while others argued she was simply being honest about her identity. The controversy coincided with disappointing U.S. sales for her new EP WWP (We Want to Party), which sold just 3,700 units in its first week. Still, Tyla’s single “Dynamite” with Wizkid scored the biggest debut of the year on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats chart, proving that listeners were still streaming her music despite the backlash.
The incident points to a deeper tension between African and African American communities regarding language, history, and identity. For South Africans, “Coloured” is descriptive, not offensive. For African Americans, it recalls “Colored Only” signs from segregation. Tyla’s misstep wasn’t intentional—it was cultural misalignment. But in today’s digital landscape, context often gets lost, and nuance rarely survives a viral moment.
This also highlights the challenges international artists face when breaking into the U.S. market. Rihanna, for example, navigated similar cultural adjustments early in her career. Tyla, just 23 and still learning, may not yet have the media training needed to handle sensitive questions with confidence. Avoiding Charlamagne’s question allowed critics to frame the narrative for her. In America, silence on issues of race often reads as avoidance, if not guilt.
Even so, the intensity of the backlash feels disproportionate. Tyla never called African Americans “colored” nor mocked anyone. She was referencing her cultural background. Asking her to erase that context in order to conform to U.S. racial categories risks silencing the diversity of global Black identities. Some Black Americans have recognized this, defending her and urging others to show understanding.
At the same time, Tyla would benefit from more awareness of how her words land in America. If she hopes to thrive in the U.S. market, where album sales, tours, and media appearances matter, she must anticipate the sensitivity around certain terms. A bit more preparation could prevent misunderstandings that threaten to overshadow her artistry.
But her critics also need perspective. Tyla’s intention was never to offend—she was honoring her heritage. Reducing her to one word disregards the talent and creativity that made her an international star. The outrage also underscores how political debates about race in the U.S. often fail to account for cultural nuance.
The controversy will likely fade, and Tyla’s career will continue to grow. She has already proven her global appeal with streaming dominance and a devoted fan base. Still, the episode is a reminder for both Tyla and her American audience: context matters. For her, that means navigating U.S. sensitivities with care. For critics, it means recognizing that Blackness and the language around it take different shapes across the world.