Tyla Laura Seethal, also known by her stage name Tyla, is making waves in the South African music scene, captivating audiences worldwide. However, her rise to fame has not been without its fair share of controversy. Tyla's racial identity has become a topic of discussion, as she proudly embraces the term 'coloured,' igniting a passionate debate on cultural sensitivity and self-identification that spans continents. Despite facing scrutiny, Tyla remains undeterred as she prepares to release her highly anticipated debut album. Her remarkable achievements, including a Grammy nomination and historic milestones on the Billboard charts, have solidified her status as a musical powerhouse. As Tyla continues to navigate the complexities of fame and criticism, her supporters rally behind her, defending the authenticity of her identity and celebrating the vibrant cultural mosaic of South Africa's coloured community.
Tyla Laura Seethal
Tyla Laura Seethal, better known as Tyla, is a talented singer hailing from South Africa. Originally from Johannesburg, she caught the attention of Epic Records in 2021 with the incredible success of her debut single "Getting Late," featuring Kooldrink.
Her star continued to rise when she released her single "Water" in 2023, which became a massive hit in numerous countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. This achievement was particularly remarkable as it marked the first time in 55 years that a South African soloist had entered the prestigious US Billboard Hot 100. Tyla's remarkable talent has earned her nominations for prestigious awards such as the Grammy Award, Soul Train Music Award, and two South African Music Awards.
South African Vocalist Ignites Cultural Controversy
Fans eagerly await the release of her self-titled debut album, which is set to hit the shelves on 1 March 2024. With her captivating voice and undeniable talent, Tyla is undoubtedly a rising star in the music industry.
South Africa's popular music star, Tyla, finds herself caught in the middle of an online dispute about the term she uses to define her racial background - "coloured".
Prior to her ascent to fame, the 21-year-old proudly discussed her mixed-race heritage in a TikTok video.
With the words "I am a coloured South African" splashed across the clip like a badge of honour, she wears a traditional beaded necklace and slicks her curly hair into Bantu knots.
According to the celebrity, this indicates that she "comes from a lot of different cultures".
This is a short film that she made to introduce her audience to a little bit of herself. Rather, her race has fanned flames on the internet, particularly in the United States.
Americans view the word as offensive, while Tyla's South African community considers it a part of their culture. In South Africa, it holds a distinct identity that is officially acknowledged.
A user from the US on X, previously known as Twitter, expressed, "We won't refer to her as colored here, and if she insists on it, her career will be over before it even starts. She aims to enter the American market, but she won't be able to use that word here. However, she can use it elsewhere."
In the US, the word is associated with the Jim Crow era, a time when discriminatory laws were implemented in the southern states to oppress black Americans after slavery was abolished.
Water fountains, toilets, and bus seats had signs that said "whites only" or "colored only". This sad part of history is similar to what happened in South Africa before white-minority rule ended in 1994.
Apartheid was a political system that favored white South Africans and created a racial hierarchy.
In 1950, the Population Registration Act required people to be registered as white, black, Indian, or colored. Another law determined where people could live based on their race.
Michael Morris, who works at the South African Institute of Race Relations, says that the history of the colored community is complicated but very much a part of South African identity.
Despite coming from different backgrounds, the community was united by apartheid.
However, in a system fixated on classification, the community was occasionally mocked and disregarded due to its mixed heritage.
Regarding the segregation laws of the apartheid regime, the late president of South Africa's wife, Marike de Klerk, once remarked of the colored community: "They are the people that were left after the nations were sorted out." The others are them."
People who identify as colored, like Tyla, have created a rich cultural tapestry out of this complex past.
The most recent census in South Africa shows that 8.2% of the population is coloured.
Lynsey Ebony Chutel and Tessa Dooms, authors of the book Coloured: How Classification Became Culture, both grew up in Eldorado Park, a historically coloured township in Johannesburg. They explain that the people in this community have a diverse mix of appearances, languages, accents, and heritages.
According to Ms. Dooms, she never considered herself as mixed black or white. Instead, she saw herself as part of this diverse community, which was also influenced by religion, music, and large group dances.
When Ms. Chutel attended Columbia University in New York, she found that her identity as a coloured woman from South Africa became a topic of conversation when she introduced herself on her first day, similar to Tyla.
Her classmates didn't react well to it; her roommate took her aside and told her that she had made the American students feel uneasy.
While trying to make others feel better, she had to defend her own identity, background, and culture.
"It's true that it's offensive, but there's more to this story," she says, letting out a deep sigh.
She cautions that it's risky for Americans to judge what it means to be black, as there isn't a single definition or experience of being black or colored.
Carissa Cupido, a radio host from South Africa who grew up in the mostly colored area of Mitchell Plains in Cape Town, shares that even though the label was imposed on her, she has fully embraced, accepted, and celebrated being colored.
When Ms. Cupido interviewed Tyla two years ago, she mentioned how "tangibly coloured" her accent, natural hair, and energy were.
She continues, "Seeing Tyla's quick ascent to fame has given her goosebumps."
The amapiano sound, a unique fusion of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and slowed-down house music, is gaining even more popularity thanks to the rising star, Tyla. Her hit song "Water" has made history by becoming the first solo track by a South African artist to make it onto the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart since Hugh Masekela's "Grazing in the Grass" in 1968.
Ms. Cupido, a radio host, confesses that whenever she talks about Tyla on-air, she can't help but hold back tears. This emotional response stems from her own personal journey of searching for representation as a person of color in magazines during her upbringing, only to be left disappointed. Now in her early 30s, Tyla has become the embodiment of that representation she longed for.
"I am filled with excitement for the next generation of colored girls who will see Tyla and find inspiration and hope in her representation," Ms. Cupido shares with the BBC.
While there have been other talented colored South African musicians who have achieved international fame, such as the late rapper AKA, none have reached the heights that Tyla has reached. She is truly making waves and breaking barriers in the music industry.
Ms Cupido's voice resonates with pure joy when discussing Tyla's remarkable success, but her tone takes a sharp turn towards annoyance when addressing the relentless scrutiny surrounding the star's identity.
"It's incredibly disrespectful. We should never belittle someone's way of life simply because we don't comprehend it," she passionately asserts.
According to Ms Cupido, those who disregard Tyla's heritage are not only erasing and dismissing her own existence, but also that of her entire family. It's a disregard for the unique lens through which they perceive and navigate the world.
Ms Dooms wholeheartedly agrees, emphasizing that defending their community has been an ongoing battle even before the Tyla controversy arose. "We are fighting for the legitimacy of everything we have built. The culture we have painstakingly created," she declares.
Addressing those in America who target Tyla, Ms Cupido has a powerful message: "To have the audacity to question someone's self-identification and replace it with your own is utterly preposterous. That is not progressiveness, but rather a step backwards."
With a highly anticipated album set to release early next year and a Grammy nomination under her belt, Tyla is bound to continue dominating headlines and sparking further debates about her identity for quite some time.
Mr Morris firmly believes that there is no room for unwarranted criticism. He firmly states, "It is solely Tyla's prerogative to define who she is and how she wishes to be addressed."
Conclusion
Tyla's journey as a South African singer has left an indelible mark on the music industry, sparking not only significant milestones but also thought-provoking discussions on cultural sensitivity and self-identification. The controversy surrounding her use of the term 'coloured' sheds light on the intricate interplay between historical contexts, cultural perspectives, and individual identity.
As Tyla gears up to release her debut album amidst a Grammy nomination and unprecedented success on the global music scene, the scrutiny she faces emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds. Advocates argue that disregarding or challenging Tyla's chosen identity is not only disrespectful but also erases the unique experiences and viewpoints of the entire coloured community.
Amidst ongoing debates, it becomes evident that Tyla's impact extends far beyond her musical accomplishments. She stands as a symbol of representation for coloured individuals, shattering barriers in an industry where such representation has historically been scarce. Ultimately, Tyla's right to define her own identity remains unwavering, and the ongoing discussions surrounding her persona pave the way for broader conversations on cultural understanding, acceptance, and the celebration of diversity in the global landscape.
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