South African singer Tyla addresses backlash over ‘coloured’ label

South African singer Tyla, the 24‑year‑old Grammy‑winning artist from Johannesburg, has responded to criticism that arose after a 2023 TikTok video in which she described herself as "a coloured South African" went viral. The term "coloured" is a recognised mixed‑race category from South Africa’s apartheid era, but it is widely viewed as a slur in the United States, prompting a culture‑war debate.

In an interview with Apple Music, Tyla said, "I mean initially it was very difficult… I was just always myself and at the time… all I knew was that I'm coloured and that's what I was told." She explained that traveling exposed her to differing contexts and that the label reflects a painful history of segregation that South Africans have turned into a source of cultural pride. Tyla emphasized that she remains black as well and hopes the conversation fosters greater understanding.

The singer’s remarks aim to clarify the South African meaning of the term and address the international backlash.